Is PBF the greatest potshotter in boxing history?

[paulfv]

As we all know, PBF is a master of the potshot. Probably the greatest of his generation. So the question becomes: Is he the best potshotter in the history of the sport?

I'm honestly not sure, so I'm curious what other posters think who are more familiar with fighters of generations past.

One thing is certain -- with his combination of excellent athleticism, his frequent choice of aging opponents, and his reluctance to engage in toe-to-toe exchanges, PBF almost certainly has to be considered the premiere potshotter in the game today.

And, I would say, superior to another great potshotter - Pernell Whitaker. Near the end of Whitaker's career, he actually became quite flat-footed.

Curious what others think on the topic.

[paulfv]

There is no doubt about it that PBF has it all over Sweet Pea in terms of potshotting. No argument on that.

[Illmatic]

Hopkins is the best potshoter in the game.

[brooklyn1550]

Whitaker wasn't a potshotter

Back to the question, yes, Floyd is number one when it comes to potshotting

[paulfv]

Hopkins is the best potshoter in the game.

He is quite good, have to agree.

But nowhere near PBF.

[paulfv]

I still haven't come up with anyone in my mind who could equal PBF...

[Dostoevsky]

RJJ with his potshot left hooks.

[paulfv]

RJJ with his potshot left hooks.

I thought of him, too, but he actually would fight a lot in the pocket, much the same as what Sweet Pea's defender's are thinking of Pernell, which is pretty much true.

RJJ was very good at potshotting when he wanted to do it, but I think that PBF - because of consistency of the style and unwillingness to fight in the pocket - would exceed RJJ in terms of potshotting 'skill' and inclination.

[PBF P4P #1]

So you are throwing PBF in a category with BHop, RJJ, and Sweet Pea?

:) I'm ok with this :)

[paulfv]

So you are throwing PBF in a category with BHop, RJJ, and Sweet Pea?

:) I'm ok with this :)

Ha ha, I guess I am! :) :good

[BobDigi5060]

Roy.

[Thread Stealer]

I thought of him, too, but he actually would fight a lot in the pocket, much the same as what Sweet Pea's defender's are thinking of Pernell, which is pretty much true.

RJJ was very good at potshotting when he wanted to do it, but I think that PBF - because of consistency of the style and unwillingness to fight in the pocket - would exceed RJJ in terms of potshotting 'skill' and inclination.

Floyd's avoided the pocket in the last two fights.

Over his career, fight-by-fight, he's probably consistently spent as much time or more in the pocket than RJJ.

[paulfv]

Floyd's avoided the pocket in the last two fights.

Over his career, fight-by-fight, he's probably consistently spent as much time or more in the pocket than RJJ.

You might very well be right, because PBF actually has defensive skills whereas RJJ just relied on his reflexes, so it was trickier for him to stay in the pocket. Good point :)

[PBF P4P #1]

Hopkins is arguably better only because his pot shots actually do damage. Look at the over hand right he levels robert allen with in their last fight that came out of no where.

Roy's didn't do damge out of nowhere?

[elTerrible]

I would say RJJ definately has better pot shots than PBF. He had better speed (especially p4p) and much more power in his shots.

The only thing that PBF did was use the pot shot more. RJJ threw alot more combos than PBF and used the pot shots less.