Which boxer is most adept at fighting with his hands down?

Watching Martinez last weekend I noticed how much he drops his hands, not just to show boat as some fighters down but as part of his tactics and style.

RJJ used to do this a lot, Ali, Hamed, and a host of other fighters, but who was the best at it?

RJJ fought with his hands behind his back. I'll go for RJJ.

Is the answer Manny Flip Pacquiao?

The one that springs to mind for me when I read it (but obviously not considered an all time great) was Chris Eubank.

I would also say that Haye does it a little now (well he did in the Valuev fight)

Hobo wrote:The one that springs to mind for me when I read it (but obviously not considered an all time great) was Chris Eubank.

I would also say that Haye does it a little now (well he did in the Valuev fight)

They don't have to be a ATG just be great at fighting with there hands down.

A lot of fighters do it for a bit to show boat, but Martinez does this for almost all the fight.

Froch walks around with his hands in his pockets at times.

Bob wrote:Froch walks around with his hands in his pockets at times.

Yeah he has his left hand down all the time. Kessler took advantage of this and caught him to the body more than a few times when they fought.

Jones of the recent era, Ali from times gone by.

Nate Campbell, not wait he got sparked when he showboated

I'll go for Mayorga giving free shots to Vargas (i think) who wasn't exactly Malignaggi when it came to punching power.

I give it 15 more comments before this gets hijacked by the OP

Pacquiao doesn't fight with his hands down, its more out fighters who use the technique than pressure fighters. Technically, a number of the Cuban counter punches keep their hands down for periods, Rigondeaux, Kid Chocolate, etc.

Fellow Dundee coached, Ray Leonard, was a similar hands low fighter to later era Ali. When on the outside he kept his hands low, but if receiving pressure he put them back up. Willie Pep relied on quick and sublime movement rather than a high guard.

I would say Gene Tunney is the most effective fighter to box with his hands down. He did this quite often throughout his career to draw leads and then counter, most notably in his fights with Dempsey, he had Jack leaning and swinging and he countered him all night...

Also think Philadelphia Jack O'Brian might be worth a mention. Supposedly he used to box with his hands low as he believed that having his hands low made it easier to move his head.

prince naseem did this all the time

coxy0001 wrote:Nate Campbell, not wait he got sparked when he showboated

I'll go for Mayorga giving free shots to Vargas (i think) who wasn't exactly Malignaggi when it came to punching power.

I give it 15 more comments before this gets hijacked by the OP

***********************************************************************************************
I remember Mayorga doing that against Forrest also!

Dropped his hands and stuck his chin out, a risky business and no mistake.

RJJ for me in his pomp, his hands barely went above chest height.

eddyfightfan wrote:prince naseem did this all the time

NAZ!!! Good call. What an immensely smug little turd he was, but my god if he didn't have reason to be so.

can remember him falling face first when he was flipping into the ring..... bet he wishes he had his hands up then....

eddyfightfan wrote:can remember him falling face first when he was flipping into the ring..... bet he wishes he had his hands up then....

I'd love to see a link for that.

Vitali does this alot. great skill to have

i'll get one for it later. but im at work at the moment- think it might be on youtube

Herol Graham

Kirkland Laing deserves a mention but it cost him on more than one occasion.

Didn't Ivan Drago do it briefly in Rocky IV?

calzage as well

Youarethegreatest wrote:Vitali does this alot. great skill to have

If he faces Haye i can imagine his hands being a little highter!

DAVE667 wrote:Herol Graham

Yeah that was the one that first sprung to mind... gets messy when they lose there reactions.

DAVE667 wrote:Didn't Ivan Drago do it briefly in Rocky IV?

He did have his right hand cocked waiting for the signal.

D4thincarnation wrote:

DAVE667 wrote:Didn't Ivan Drago do it briefly in Rocky IV?

He did have his right hand cocked waiting for the signal.

I thought there was a scene where he had his hands down doing a bit of showboating in his stiff upright European style.

DAVE667 wrote:

D4thincarnation wrote:

DAVE667 wrote:Didn't Ivan Drago do it briefly in Rocky IV?

He did have his right hand cocked waiting for the signal.

I thought there was a scene where he had his hands down doing a bit of showboating in his stiff upright European style.

Are you talking when he fights Apollo, he has his hands down, not defending himself but has he right hand cocked back ready for the signal. It was meant to be an exhibition.

Watched Calzaghe vs Roy Jones Junior the other night. I though the hands down showboating by Calzaghe was disrespectful to Jones but aside from that he couldn't really pull it off and look cool. He looked awkward, ridiculous and a bit glaikit to be honest. He was a great boxer but this was unecessary and did him no favours.

Why is showboating direspectful when Calzaghe does it, but great when RJJ does it?

Boxing Challenges

D4thincarnation wrote:

DAVE667 wrote:

D4thincarnation wrote:

DAVE667 wrote:Didn't Ivan Drago do it briefly in Rocky IV?

He did have his right hand cocked waiting for the signal.

I thought there was a scene where he had his hands down doing a bit of showboating in his stiff upright European style.

Are you talking when he fights Apollo, he has his hands down, not defending himself but has he right hand cocked back ready for the signal. It was meant to be an exhibition.

I can't remember and can't really see myself watching it again just to clarify but I thought there was a point when he had Apollo hurt and decided to try a bit showboating to show how superior he was which....was far removed from what the American's expected.

DAVE667 wrote:

D4thincarnation wrote:

DAVE667 wrote:

D4thincarnation wrote:

DAVE667 wrote:Didn't Ivan Drago do it briefly in Rocky IV?

He did have his right hand cocked waiting for the signal.

I thought there was a scene where he had his hands down doing a bit of showboating in his stiff upright European style.

Are you talking when he fights Apollo, he has his hands down, not defending himself but has he right hand cocked back ready for the signal. It was meant to be an exhibition.

I can't remember and can't really see myself watching it again just to clarify but I thought there was a point when he had Apollo hurt and decided to try a bit showboating to show how superior he was which....was far removed from what the American's expected.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEtJ0GiOp64

Here you go.

He started off just given Apollo free shots.

I see what you mean 2nd round both hands down by his side.

Thank you!

Funny how Apollo just takes a few slaps and dies and Rocky takes 15 rounds worth of them....

Me I wanted Drago to win and defend against Clubber..Wanted the three kryptonians to do Superman too...

Sure they would sort Gaddafi out.

GeoffSnapes wrote:Why is showboating direspectful when Calzaghe does it, but great when RJJ does it?

Boxing Challenges

Don't mean to imply that I approve showboating from anyone. Just thought that this behaviour did not suit Calzaghe at all. Ali could pull it off but not many others.

gta be ali or more recently hamed b4 he changed his 1st trainer

md_fan wrote:

GeoffSnapes wrote:Why is showboating direspectful when Calzaghe does it, but great when RJJ does it?

Boxing Challenges

Don't mean to imply that I approve showboating from anyone. Just thought that this behaviour did not suit Calzaghe at all. Ali could pull it off but not many others.

Have to agree with Geoff on this one, Jones throughout his career showed now respect to his sub par opposition yet when Calzaghe does it to him it's not acceptable, don't understand that logic at all