Facing a boxer with exceptional defensive skills can be a truly frustrating experience: when your punches constantly crash into your opponent’s guard—or worse, miss entirely—both physical and mental energy quickly drain away, leaving room for counterproductive anger. But who were the greatest masters of the art of not getting hit? Let’s find out with our special list of the ten most sensational defenses in boxing history (listed in random order):
Wilfred Benítez
Nicknamed “El Radar” for his uncanny ability to anticipate opponents’ punches, the Puerto Rican dazzled with evasive moves worthy of The Matrix. His tendency to neglect training and underestimate opponents sometimes dulled his brilliance, but when in top form, Benítez was as slippery as an eel.
Jimmy Young
A highly underrated boxer, Young had little luck with judges, losing close fights to Muhammad Ali and Ken Norton that many thought he deserved to win. At his peak, he was arguably the heavyweight with the best defense in boxing history, neutralizing ferocious punchers like George Foreman and Ron Lyle with feline reflexes.
Gene Tunney
In an era dominated by brawlers, Tunney was one of the first to employ a truly evasive, strategic style, designed to lure opponents in and punish them as soon as they opened up. His two bouts with Jack Dempsey are legendary, as are his five wars with the savage Harry Greb, culminating in a final encounter where a mature, almost “untouchable” Tunney completely outclassed his rival.
James Toney
We’ve already praised “Lights Out” for his granite chin in our list of the most durable fighters in boxing history, but he likely wouldn’t have survived the onslaught of the heavy hitters he faced without a brilliant defense. Masterful torso movement, shoulder rolls, and slips made Toney one of the best defensive boxers ever.
Nicolino Locche
Nicknamed “El Intocable” (“The Untouchable”) for his superb defense, the Argentine fought 136 professional bouts and was stopped only once, late in his decline. With incredible upper-body flexibility, he often stood with his hands down, inviting punches and dodging them at the last instant with forward or backward bends.
Bernard Hopkins
“The Executioner” couldn’t have remained elite until age 50 without his masterful defense. A true craftsman of obstruction and ring control, Hopkins aged like fine wine, adding tricks and tactics that often skirted the rulebook, neutralizing younger punchers. His 2008 masterclass against Kelly Pavlik remains a near-unmatched example of defensive brilliance.
Roy Jones Jr.
When your opponent is faster than you, hitting him is difficult. When he’s ten times faster, it’s impossible! Gifted with superhuman speed, “The Pensacola Lightning” was for years an unsolvable riddle for anyone. In the fourth round against Vinny Pazienza, Jones became the first boxer in Compubox history to hold his opponent to zero landed punches in a single round.
Pernell Whitaker
“Sweet Pea” was undoubtedly one of the finest defensive fighters ever. The world was stunned watching him nullify Julio César Chávez’s attacks, only for the judges to shamefully call it a draw. Hot-tempered and brave, he still engaged in thrilling fights like his war with Diosbelys Hurtado. Even past his prime, he was never knocked out, losing only on points against great and dangerous fighters like Oscar De La Hoya or Félix Trinidad.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Loved by some, hated by others, Mayweather was one of the greatest fighters of the modern era. Starting as a destructive super featherweight, he climbed divisions, losing some punching power due to bigger opponents and his fragile hands. His defensive mastery, however, became the foundation of his continued success. His “shoulder roll” reached levels of perfection never seen before.
Willie Pep
A legend says that in 1946 Pep won a round against Jackie Graves on all three judges’ cards without throwing a single punch. Whether true or not (probably not), the fact that the story is considered believable by many people speaks volumes about Pep’s sublime defensive skills. Reputed the greatest featherweight ever, he evaded blows like a ghost. A true god of defense—his presence on this list is non-negotiable.