Power needed for greatness

I don't think there is a such thing as a great "Feather Fisted" fighter. Look closely at great fighers with low KO percentages and you'll see they carry considerable power. Pernell Whitiker wasn't the strongest puncher in the world unless he was threatened. Watch him against Chavez or Hertado and you'll see a strong fighter. Wilfred Benitez wasn't known as a power puncher. Why was Ray Leonard respecting him in their fight as though he was? Because if Ray made the wrong move, Wifred was going to put him in pain. Jimmy Young was known as a soft puncher. A soft puncher who was able to keep both Norton and Foreman off of him and even floor Foreman in the 12th round of their fight does not merit the title of feather fisted. Kid Gavilan had over 50 or 60 victories with something like 25 KOs. Not representative at all to his punching power. Gavilan was the inventor of the Bolo punch. Far from being a show thing, he would wave that thing in the air and throw it like a curve ball. When it landed it either ended or changed the complexion of the fight. Power is needed to gain respect.

I suppose it matters how one defines feather fisted. One has to have enough pop not to get rushed time after time by gifted fighters. But I can name several HOF level fighters who have astonishingly low KO percentages. It's clear that a great boxer need not be a heavy puncher to be effective.

even Chris Byrd rocked and wobbled David Tua

marbleheadmaui wrote:

I suppose it matters how one defines feather fisted. One has to have enough pop not to get rushed time after time by gifted fighters. But I can name several HOF level fighters who have astonishingly low KO percentages. It's clear that a great boxer need not be a heavy puncher to be effective.

No doubt. However, some of these guys are human chess players who really have no intention of hurting an opponent. Pernell Whitiker was a fighter like that. You're right. If a fighter can stop another from rushing him, then he's not without a punch. Paulie M. does not have a punch. If he did, he'd have a different career. Angel Manfreedy (Spelling) couldn't wobble a slinky but was one of the most beautiful stylists I've ever seen. Nobody, however, will ever mistake him or for that matter, Howard Davis, as great fighters. You need to have something to keep the other guy honest.

4445Frank wrote:

marbleheadmaui wrote:

I suppose it matters how one defines feather fisted. One has to have enough pop not to get rushed time after time by gifted fighters. But I can name several HOF level fighters who have astonishingly low KO percentages. It's clear that a great boxer need not be a heavy puncher to be effective.

No doubt. However, some of these guys are human chess players who really have no intention of hurting an opponent. Pernell Whitiker was a fighter like that. You're right. If a fighter can stop another from rushing him, then he's not without a punch. Paulie M. does not have a punch. If he did, he'd have a different career. Angel Manfreedy (Spelling) couldn't wobble a slinky but was one of the most beautiful stylists I've ever seen. Nobody, however, will ever mistake him or for that matter, Howard Davis, as great fighters. You need to have something to keep the other guy honest.

Pretty tough to argue with that analysis I think.

i agree. ive always said that you need some sort of power to be great because you will always have to be able to keep people at bay. even someone like pep im assuming had pretty decent power although he could be a rare exception. but as you said, someone like malignaggi will never be great because he doesnt have enough power to keep the fighter off of him.

frank good article..by the way gavilin won over 100 fights...i agree you got to have some sting or pop in your punch or youll never keep anyone off you..paulie and calderon id say are powder puff punchers that lack that..pep could hurt you when he had to and wanted to..off hand the only real great fighter that was a powder puff puncher was slappsie maxie..many had just enough to keep you honest....

marbleheadmaui wrote:

4445Frank wrote:

marbleheadmaui wrote:

I suppose it matters how one defines feather fisted. One has to have enough pop not to get rushed time after time by gifted fighters. But I can name several HOF level fighters who have astonishingly low KO percentages. It's clear that a great boxer need not be a heavy puncher to be effective.

No doubt. However, some of these guys are human chess players who really have no intention of hurting an opponent. Pernell Whitiker was a fighter like that. You're right. If a fighter can stop another from rushing him, then he's not without a punch. Paulie M. does not have a punch. If he did, he'd have a different career. Angel Manfreedy (Spelling) couldn't wobble a slinky but was one of the most beautiful stylists I've ever seen. Nobody, however, will ever mistake him or for that matter, Howard Davis, as great fighters. You need to have something to keep the other guy honest.

Pretty tough to argue with that analysis I think.

i agree with you too frank, paulie is a prime example...if he had even decent power to keep from gettin rushed and bullied he could probably be considered an elite fighter...he definitely has the speed and skill set just lacks the power to keep his opponents honest