Boxing. The sweet science. The art of hitting and not getting hit.

Throughout its rich history, there have always been the rare few that outshone their peers, not through strength and aggression, but through utilizing a solid defense and cerebral tactics inside the ring. Yes, there are many great fighters that had success through aggression and brute force, but sooner or later, the Mike Tyson & Ricky Hatton-types collide with a Lennox Lewis or Floyd Mayweather.

Fighters don’t always have to be tougher to get the win. Advanced speed, footwork and ring smarts can be used to turn their opponents’ aggression against them. This is by no means a stab at aggressive fighters, as often times they are far more entertaining to watch. However, any boxer who is in it for the long haul should really weigh up the benefits of maintaining a solid defense first and foremost.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at are five of the greatest defensive boxers of all time.

 

5) Muhammad Ali



Now there’s a chance you’re reading this and thinking ‘Ali, at number 5?’ or ‘Ali, a defensive boxer?’. Think about it. “The Greatest” is arguably the finest boxer of all time, period. The great man’s defense, speed, footwork and ring smarts really set him apart from other boxers, and since these are the key ingredients to a great defensive boxer, we believe that he deserves his spot on this list.

Let’s not forget that after a long hiatus, he went on to defeat George Foreman, easily one of the hardest hitters of all time. This was at a time when Ali wasn’t the Ali of old; the Louisville, Kentucky-native slowed down and was far more flat-footed than his ‘float like a butterfly’ days.

Ali triumphed over Foreman by using his incredible fight IQ and a cerebral defense, first and foremost. He wore Foreman down, taunting him and blocking his punches while on the ropes, waiting patiently for the right moment to explode on his rival. It was Ali’s defense that made it all possible.

 

4) James Toney



Competing in 16 world title fights across four weight divisions from middleweight to heavyweight, and spanning over a 20-year period, James Toney will forever be remembered as one the slickest and quickest defensive boxers of all time. Unlike many other defensive boxers, Toney also possessed hands of stone, knocking out a whopping 47 of his 77 opponents.

A tough upbringing saw him don the gloves at the age of ten, but he didn’t take it seriously until a number of years later, eventually choosing to lose weight and fight at a lighter weight class. This decision may have contributed to his formidable punching power, though it was his defensive prowess that made him stand out as a great.

Constant rapid head movement and smart shoulder rolls continuously frustrated his opponents, making them reckless and bullish (a fatal mistake when dealing with a fast-moving knockout artist). His ferocious infighting skills combined with his ability to use slick movements and fight off the ropes have landed him a rightful place at number 4 on this list.

 

3) Pernell Whitaker 



Whitaker was another defensive boxing prodigy who became a world champion in four weight classes. He used his rapid speed and a seemingly impenetrable defense to effortlessly outclass his opponents, time and time again. Whittaker started boxing at just 8 years old, putting together an impressive 200 amateur fight-record before turning pro. Known for his phenomenal accuracy, perfect timing and dazzling footwork, in his heyday, he seemed unstoppable.

Fighting out of the southpaw stance, Whitaker utilized his jab to create angles and setups, often stepping with his rear foot mid jab and pivoting off his front as he followed through with a devastating combo. Utilizing rapid head movement to throw off and confuse his opponent, this often led to “Sweet Pea” fighting with his lead foot on the inside for cleaner shots, a rarity for a southpaw.

Whittaker had exceptional distance management and would employ unorthodox tactics – such as leaning his head on his opponents and switching to stances – to land vicious uppercuts on the inside. The combination of his fiercely competitive nature and relentless showboating, complete with his relaxed in-ring demeanor, also made him an extremely enjoyable fighter to watch.

 

2) Willie Pep



This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the man who reportedly once won an entire round without throwing a single punch. Willie Pep was a very special fighter, indeed, obliterating his opponents with dazzling speed and unrivaled footwork. Even after an almost fatal plane crash – after which he was told he would never box again – he returned to the ring within 6 months and continued to dominate.

With razor-sharp reflexes and the ability to easily dodge and parry punches, slip in and out of range, and even spin his opponents around to create new angles, it’s no wonder he is still remembered as one of the greats. With a ridiculous 241 professional fights spanning over 26 years, boasting 229 wins with 1 draw and 11 losses, and an amateur record of 70 wins and just 3 losses, Pep is an all-time great.

Nobody can sustain a career that long without great defensive, the body simply would not be able to endure the punishment. If you enjoy watching Lomachenko’s fast feet and clever angles, you will definitely appreciate Willie Pep.

 

1) Floyd Mayweather Jr.



Love him or hate him, you knew he was going to rank number one on this list, and for good reason. With a current record of 50 wins and 0 losses, there is no denying this man’s defensive skills. You do not get to box as long as he has at his level and remain undefeated without a solid defense being your number one priority.

Yes, it’s not that exciting to watch, as some fans want to see hard-hitting action. We want to watch our heroes getting knocked down and rising again, and fighting tooth and nail until someone gets knocked out. But if Floyd fought like that he wouldn’t have the record that he has; whether you respect that or not is a different matter.

Interestingly, defense wasn’t always the priority for “Money.”  He fought his first 15 or so fights with his uncle as his coach and was far more aggressive, almost always knocking out his opponents. It wasn’t until Mayweather senior came out of jail and taught him to adopt a more tactical approach that he became more tactical, an approach which can be entirely credited to his record and longevity in the sport. Say what you will about him and his life outside the ring, but inside it, he is a tactical genius and like it or not the greatest defensive boxer of all time, his record speaks for itself.

 

There is one thing all of these fighters have in common, and that is that they all had phenomenal careers and seemed unbeatable in their respective eras. There were many other great boxers that could just as easily have made this list, but that is for you to decide.

The one thing that we can all agree on is that a good defense can often make a great boxer, and any fighter worth their salt should keep this in mind every time they step into the ring.

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