5 best defensive boxers in the game today
Vicious knockouts, bloodied wars in the ring, trading punches like anything. Boxing has always given due credit to fighters who are having these variables in their resume. Fans always remember fighters who give them instant thrill or what they call “Value for money” but we often forget or severely underrate the defensive side of the game. Avoiding punches takes more skill and time to perfect than throwing them.
Some of the greats have made a career out of the defensive approach and yet the casual fan tends to fully ignore it. In short, defending is an art and it truly makes Boxing beautiful. Here we look at the best defensive experts there is in Boxing today.
5.Erislandy Lara:
A product of the famous Cuban amateur system, Lara is truly a defensive genius. The former Amateur world champion is sometimes invincible as most of his competitors have found out. Lara is quick as hell and relies on his defence to create his offence. Lara has excellent movement by which he is able to create space and apply shots with great accuracy.
His counter punching ability is on par with the best there is and due credit should go to the Cuban amateur system which is producing Olympic medalists time and time again. Lara’s best work came when he faced Boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez in a fight which he lost by split decision, many thought he won the fight. He frustrated Canelo throughout the match with his good movement and counter punching so much that Canelo after the match said that he doesn't want any part of Lara again.
4.Juan Manuel Marquez :
The 41 yr old veteran has been involved in wars inside the ring and is still in the top pound for pound list. The former four-division world champion is a master counter puncher which Manny Pacquiao found out in their fourth fight when he got caught with a counter right which put him to sleep.
After a lengthy lay off on the sidelines due to injury, Marquez is back in training with a potential bout in the offering against current IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook. Marquez’s victories against boxers like Marco Antonio Barrera, Mike Alvarado, Juan Diaz has his defensive approach written all over it.