15 Boxers With The Best Footwork Of All Time (With Videos)

Boxing is a sport that requires a lot of physical and mental agility, and footwork plays a critical role in a boxer’s success in the ring. The ability to move quickly, pivot, and dodge punches can make all the difference between winning and losing a fight.

Floyd Patterson

Floyd Patterson was a professional boxer who competed from 1952 to 1972. He is widely considered one of the best boxers of all time. He is known for his incredible footwork and agility. His quick feet allowed him to move around the ring with incredible speed and agility, making it difficult for his opponents to hit him.

This was especially important as Patterson was not a particularly big heavyweight and relied on his speed and skill to win fights. Patterson’s footwork was fast and incredibly fluid, allowing him to move in and out of range quickly and effortlessly.

He could pivot and change direction quickly, which helped him create angles and land his punches effectively. His footwork was also crucial in his defensive style, allowing him to easily slip and dodge punches. This made him a difficult opponent to beat, as he could avoid most of his opponent’s punches while landing his own shots.

In addition to his footwork, Patterson was known for his excellent technique and punching power. He delivered devastating blows with both hands. His speed and agility allowed him to quickly move in and out of range, making it difficult for his opponents to counter his attacks. His combination of footwork, technique, and power made him a formidable opponent in the ring.

Overall, Floyd Patterson’s incredible footwork and agility were key factors in his success as a boxer. His footwork, excellent technique, and power made him one of the most successful boxers of his time and a legend of the sport.

Benny Leonard

Benny Leonard was an American professional boxer who competed from 1911 to 1932. He was known for his incredible footwork and defense, which made him one of the best boxers of his time. Leonard had a unique style that relied heavily on his footwork and defensive skills.

His footwork allowed him to move around the ring with incredible speed and agility, making it difficult for his opponents to land punches. Leonard was also known for his ability to slip punches and move out of range quickly, frustrating his opponents and leaving them open to counterattacks.

His footwork allowed him to create angles and land punches effectively, making it difficult for his opponents to hit him. He had a fluid style that relied heavily on his footwork, and his defensive skills were some of the best in the sport.

Leonard was also an intelligent fighter who could read his opponents and adjust his strategy accordingly. He was a master of creating openings and landing punches while minimizing the risk of getting hit himself. His style was influential in the sport, and many boxers since have adopted his techniques and footwork.

Leonard had an impressive record of 183 wins (70 knockouts), 24 losses, and six draws throughout his career. He held the lightweight championship from 1917 to 1925 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. His legacy as one of the greatest boxers of all time is due in no small part to his incredible footwork and defensive skills, which were the hallmark of his style.

Roberto Duran

Roberto Duran was a Panamanian professional boxer who competed from 1968 to 2001. He was known for his incredible footwork, which he used to set up his devastating punches. His ability to move around the ring with amazing speed and agility made him a difficult opponent to beat.

Duran’s footwork was crucial to his aggressive style, as he could get close to his opponents and land powerful shots. Duran’s footwork allowed him to create angles and set up his punches effectively. He could move quickly in and out of range, making it difficult for his opponents to hit him while he landed his own punches.

His ability to move around the ring easily allowed him to control the fight’s pace and frustrate his opponents. Duran’s aggressive style was made possible by his footwork, which allowed him to get in close and land powerful punches. He is also one of the boxers with the best stamina ever.

He was a master of body shots, and his punches were known for their devastating impact. He could also move out of range quickly to avoid counterattacks, making him a formidable opponent in the ring. Throughout his career, Duran had an impressive record of 103 wins (70 knockouts), 16 losses, and 0 draws.

He won titles in four weight classes and was known for his aggressive style and incredible footwork. He is considered one of the greatest boxers ever and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007. His legacy as a boxer is due in no small part to his incredible footwork, which allowed him to set up his devastating punches and dominate his opponents in the ring.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.: Mayweather is known for his defensive skills, and his footwork is a big part of that. He can move around the ring with incredible speed and agility, making it difficult for his opponents to land punches.

Mayweather’s footwork allows him to control the fight’s pace, frustrating his opponents and making them more likely to make mistakes. One of the most distinctive aspects of Mayweather’s defense is his use of the “Philly shell” technique. 

This defensive stance involves holding one hand low and the other hand high, with the shoulder providing additional protection. The stance allows Mayweather to deflect punches and avoid damage while also creating openings for counterattacks. His footwork is key to making the Philly shell work, as it will enable him to quickly shift between offensive and defensive positions.

Mayweather’s defensive skills are legendary, and his footwork is key to his success. He can read his opponents and adjust his strategy accordingly, using his footwork to create openings and land punches while minimizing the risk of getting hit himself. His ability to frustrate opponents and control the fight’s pace has earned him the nickname “The Master of Defense.”

Throughout his career, Mayweather had an impressive undefeated record of 50 wins (27 knockouts), 0 losses, and 0 draws. He won titles in five weight classes and is considered one of the greatest boxers ever. His legacy as a boxer is due in no small part to his incredible footwork, which allowed him to dominate his opponents in the ring and become one of the most successful boxers of all time.

Jersey Joe Walcott

Jersey Joe Walcott is regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, and his incredible footwork was a big part of his success in the ring. In fact, many consider him to have had the best footwork in history, pound-for-pound. Walcott not only had incredible footwork, but he also invented incredible moves with his footwork that still have yet to be duplicated to this modern day.

One of Walcott’s signature moves was the Walcott Shuffle, which involved moving in and out of range with incredible speed and precision. His feet would go in one direction while his body went in the other, leaving opponents confused and off-balance.

He also had a move known as the “Walcott Waltz,” in which he would pivot on his left foot and walk back over his right foot while turning his body 180 degrees. He would repeat this move over and over again, switching up the pace and adding variations to keep his opponents guessing.

Walcott’s footwork was so impressive that even the greatest heavyweight of all time, Joe Louis, had no idea how to deal with it. Louis walked right into one hundred traps and missed many punches. According to Louis, “Walcott was so tricky with his feet, he would be on the inside popping me so I would go to tee off on him then all of a sudden he was gone out of range, then a split second later he was back in range slugging on me so I would go to tee off again and all of a sudden he’d be gone!”

Overall, Walcott’s footwork caused chaos for his opponents and allowed him to set up traps and counterattacks. His unique moves and incredible agility in the ring made him a legend of the sport. His legacy as one of the greatest boxers of all time is due in no small part to his incredible footwork.

Nicolino Locche

Nicolino Locche was a professional boxer from Argentina who was known for his exceptional defensive skills and footwork in the ring. He held the World Boxing Association (WBA) super lightweight title from 1968 to 1972. During his career, he amassed a record of 117 wins (14 by knockout), 4 losses, and 14 draws.

Locche was known as “The Untouchable” because he could avoid punches and slip past opponents, which frustrated many of his opponents in the ring. He was also famous for his unique style of holding his hands low, relying on his head and body movement to avoid punches.

Locche was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003, two years before his death at the age of 66.

Andre Ward

Andre Ward is a retired American professional boxer who competed from 2004 to 2017. He was born on February 23, 1984, in San Francisco, California, and grew up in the Bay Area.

Ward began his amateur career in boxing at nine and became a highly decorated amateur boxer, winning a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. He turned professional later that same year and quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the sport.

Over the course of his career, Ward won world titles in two weight classes: super middleweight and light heavyweight. He held the WBA (Super), WBC, Ring Magazine, and lineal super middleweight titles from 2009 to 2015 and the unified WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO light heavyweight titles from 2016 to 2017.

Ward was known for his technical boxing skills and ability to adapt to different opponents and styles. He was a skilled counterpuncher who used his intelligence, footwork, and ring generalship to outmaneuver opponents and control the pace of a fight.

Ward retired from boxing in 2017 with a record of 32 wins (16 by knockout), 0 losses, and 1 no-contest. Andre, like Mayweather, is on the list of undefeated boxers in history.

Willie Pep

Willie Pep was an American professional boxer who competed from 1940 to 1966. He was born on September 19, 1922, in Middletown, Connecticut, and began his professional boxing career at the age of 19.

Pep was known for his exceptional footwork, defensive skills, and speed in the ring. He was a master at slipping and dodging punches, and his ability to make opponents miss earned him the nickname “Will o’ the Wisp.” Pep was also a highly skilled counterpuncher who could land punches with precision and accuracy.

Over the course of his career, Pep won world titles in two weight classes: featherweight and lightweight. He held the featherweight title from 1942 to 1948, and again from 1949 to 1950, and the lightweight title from 1954 to 1955. He retired with a record of 229 wins (65 by knockout), 11 losses, and 1 draw.

One of the most impressive feats of Pep’s career was his record-breaking winning streak, which lasted from 1943 to 1948 and saw him win 73 fights in a row. This streak is considered one of the greatest achievements in the history of boxing.

Pep was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers ever. His legacy continues to inspire young fighters today, and his influence can be seen in the footwork and defensive styles of many of the sport’s current stars.

Guillermo Rigondeaux

Guillermo Rigondeaux is a Cuban professional boxer who is regarded as one of the boxers with the best footwork in the history of boxing. He was born in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, and began his amateur boxing career at the age of 11.

Rigondeaux was a highly decorated amateur boxer, winning two Olympic gold medals (2000 and 2004) and multiple world championships. He turned professional in 2009 and quickly established himself as one of the top boxers in his weight class.

Rigondeaux was known for his exceptional defensive skills and counterpunching ability. He was a master at slipping and dodging punches. His ability to counterpunch with speed and accuracy made him a difficult opponent for many of his opponents.

Rigondeaux held world titles in two weight classes: super bantamweight and super featherweight. He won the WBA super bantamweight title in 2010 and held the title until 2013. He then won the WBO super bantamweight title in 2014 and held that title until 2017. He also briefly held the WBA super featherweight title in 2019.

One of the defining moments of Rigondeaux’s career was his fight against Nonito Donaire in 2013. Donaire was considered one of the best boxers in the world at the time. Still, Rigondeaux was able to outbox him with his superior defensive skills and win a unanimous decision.

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., was an American professional boxer who competed from 1960 to 1981. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest boxers of all time, known for his speed, power, and footwork in the ring.

Ali was renowned for his excellent footwork, which was a key part of his boxing style. He could move quickly and fluidly around the ring, using his footwork to evade his opponents’ punches and create openings for his own attacks. He was known for his ability to “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.” His footwork was a key factor in his success in the ring.

Ali’s footwork was particularly effective when combined with his other boxing skills, such as his lightning-fast jabs and his powerful right cross. He could also use his footwork to create angles and move in and out of range to land punches on his opponents while avoiding their counterattacks.

One of the most famous examples of Ali’s footwork in action was his “rope-a-dope” technique, which he used in his 1974 fight against George Foreman. In this technique, Ali leaned back against the ropes and allowed Foreman to pummel him with punches while Ali used his footwork to slip and dodge the blows.

Eventually, Foreman tired himself out, and Ali was able to capitalize on his exhaustion and win the fight with a knockout in the eighth round. Ali’s footwork was a key part of his overall boxing style, allowing him to dominate many of his opponents in the ring. His legacy as one of the greatest boxers of all time is due in no small part to his exceptional footwork and its role in his many victories.

Roy Jones Jr.

Roy Jones Jr. is a somewhat retired American professional boxer who competed from 1989 to 2018. He was born in Pensacola, Florida, and began his amateur boxing career at the age of 11. Jones was known for his incredible speed, power, and athleticism in the ring.

He was a highly skilled boxer who was able to fight in multiple styles, and his natural talent and work ethic made him a dominant force in the sport. Over the course of his career, Jones won world titles in four weight classes: middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight.

He was also known for his impressive knockout power, with 47 of his 66 wins coming through knockout. One of the defining moments of Jones’ career was his performance in the 1994 IBF super middleweight title fight against James Toney.

Jones was able to outbox Toney with his superior speed and athleticism, winning a unanimous decision and cementing his status as one of the best boxers in the world. Jones retired from boxing in 2018 with a record of 66 wins (47 by knockout), 9 losses, and 0 draws. Learn more about Roy Jones Jr.’s Boxing Style.

Vasyl Lomachenko

Vasyl Lomachenko is a Ukrainian professional boxer who is widely considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. He is known for his exceptional footwork, defensive skills, and ability to adapt to different opponents and styles.

Lomachenko began his amateur boxing career at the age of 13 and went on to win multiple world championships and Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012. He turned professional in 2013 and quickly established himself as a dominant force in the sport.

Lomachenko’s father, Anatoly Lomachenko, was a former amateur boxer and a highly respected boxing trainer in Ukraine. Anatoly recognized the importance of footwork in boxing. He believed dancing could help improve his son’s footwork in the ring.

As a result, Anatoly made Vasyl take ballet and traditional Ukrainian dance lessons as a child, in addition to his boxing training. Vasyl’s dance training helped him develop exceptional footwork and balance, which have become hallmarks of his boxing style.

Vasyl Lomachenko is known for his exceptional footwork, which includes his ability to pivot and disappear from his opponents’ line of sight. He is a master at using angles and lateral movement to evade his opponents’ punches and create openings for his own attacks.

Lomachenko’s legacy in the sport of boxing is still being written. Still, he is widely regarded as one of his generation’s most talented and skilled fighters. His exceptional footwork and other boxing skills have made him a dominant force in the sport. His influence can be seen in the styles of many of the sport’s current top fighters.

Sugar Ray Leonard

Sugar Ray Leonard was a talented boxer-puncher known for his exceptional footwork and ability to mix up his style throughout a fight. He could be an out puncher, gliding around the ring with his footwork before quickly stepping up his attack by looking to counter and using his devastating combination punches to try to take out his opponent.

The term “boxer-puncher” is often used to describe fighters who are capable of using both defensive and offensive styles throughout a fight, and Leonard was a prime example of this. His ability to switch between styles and adapt to different opponents made him incredibly successful in the ring.

In an interview with ABC, Leonard was asked about being compared to Muhammad Ali as the next great boxer. While he was flattered, he spoke about his influences and the importance of showmanship and entertainment in boxing. He studied Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson, borrowing from their styles and using their pizzazz, personality, and charisma to transcend the sport and become someone very special.

Leonard’s influence on the sport of boxing can still be felt today, and his legacy as one of the greatest boxers of all time continues to inspire young fighters around the world. His exceptional footwork, ability to mix up his style, and entertaining personality made him a fan favorite, and his influence on the sport will continue to be felt for years to come.

As Muhammad Ali, Roy Jones Jr., Sugar Ray also one of the fastest boxers in history.

Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao is a former Filipino professional boxer who is considered one of the greatest fighters of all time. Pacquiao was known for his exceptional footwork in the ring, using his quick and agile feet to catalyze his attacks.

Pacquiao’s ability to easily bounce in and out of range made him difficult to hit, and his strong stance while standing still allowed him to deliver powerful punches with precision and accuracy. His balance was also a key part of his footwork, allowing him to move quickly and fluidly around the ring while maintaining his stability.

Pacquiao’s footwork was a defining part of his game throughout his career. He used it to set up many of his attacks. He could shift his feet and change angles quickly, allowing him to create openings for his punches and avoid his opponents’ counterattacks.

Pacquiao’s footwork was particularly impressive during his days as a featherweight, where he was known for his incredible speed and agility. However, his footwork remained an important part of his game throughout his career. He continued to use it to his advantage in fights at higher-weight classes.

Pernell Whitaker

Pernell Whitaker, also known as “Sweet Pea,” was a professional boxer from the United States who competed from 1984 to 2001. He was known for his incredible defensive skills, high fight IQ, and ability to dodge punches like no other.

Whitaker’s unique fighting style involved a lot of head movement and slick footwork, allowing him to dodge punches easily. He was often described as “elusive” and “slippery,” and his opponents frequently had difficulty landing clean shots.

In addition to his defensive skills, Whitaker was also known for his high fight IQ. He was a master at setting traps for his opponents and was always thinking several moves ahead. He could read his opponents’ movements and adjust his own strategy accordingly, making him a difficult fighter to beat.

Whitaker’s defensive skills were so impressive that he was known to humiliate his opponents by playing with them in the ring. He would often dodge punches for extended periods, sometimes for a minute straight, just for fun. His slick footwork and defensive skills made him a true defensive master and one of the greatest boxers of all time.

Despite his focus on defense, Whitaker also had a tough chin and was able to absorb punishment when needed. He had a strong mental toughness and could remain calm and focused under pressure, which allowed him to come out on top in many close fights.

Conclusion

In conclusion, footwork is a critical component of boxing that has been used by many great fighters throughout history to dominate their opponents. These top boxers of all time with the best footwork have proven their ability to move gracefully in the ring while delivering powerful strikes and avoiding incoming punches. From legends like Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Willie Pep to more recent champions like Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Vasyl Lomachenko, these boxers have elevated the art of footwork to new heights.