In boxing history, there have been many masterful counter punchers.
These boxers perfected the sweet science to the point that their opponents were afraid to throw a punch.
This article will discuss some of the best counter punchers in boxing.
Best Counter Punchers in Boxing
In no particular ranking, the best counter punchers in boxing history are:
- Floyd Mayweather Jr.
- James Toney
- Juan Manuel Marquez
- Archie Moore
- Muhammad Ali
- Sugar Ray Robinson
- Willie Pep
These are also some of the greatest boxers in history, but this is no coincidence.
Each focuses on great timing and defense to set up their dangerous power shots.
It’s important to point out that these fighters weren’t strictly counterpunchers; this was just a part of their skillset.
They knew when it was the right time to put pressure and go on the offensive.
However, when they switched gears, each boxer listed here made their opponent doubt their own attacks.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
First on our list is Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Mayweather is one of the best counter punchers in boxing history, especially later in his career when he would work in the Philly Shell defense.
He preferred shoulder rolls or pull counters in response to a jab, both followed up with a right cross. Even though his opponents knew what was coming, they still fell for it every single time.
When faced with an aggressive opponent like Manny Pacquiao or Juan Manuel Marquez, he even preferred to sit against the ropes and let them launch his counters.
Mayweather’s counters worked because he focused on hand speed instead of aiming for power. His punches would stun rather than hurt, and over time this would slow his opponents down.
James Toney
Next on our list is James Toney, another of the great counter punchers.
When you watch his fights, you notice his ability to stay calm in the pocket.
His hand speed and subtle head movement combined with quick, balanced footwork made him a tough opponent.
He preferred to counter via a shoulder roll combined with a hard right cross, or ducking at the waist combined with an uppercut.
In both cases, Toney used his body like a spring, letting the momentum of his body drive the devastating power of the punch.
Juan Manuel Marquez
Next on the list is Juan Manuel Marquez.
Counterpunching was only one part of Marquez’s skillset, since he could do it all in the ring (brawl, slick head movement and footwork, pressure fighting).
He blended counter punching with the Mexican style, with a rock-solid chin that allowed him to stay in the perfect position to land a counter during long exchanges.
Like the Soviet style, he would incorporate the Pendulum Step into his lateral movement, allowing him to take erratic angles. On a step backwards, he would strike at overextended opponents.
In his four-fight saga with Manny Pacquiao, he ended the series with one of the heaviest overhand rights against Pacman’s lunging jab, knocking him out cold.
Archie Moore
Archie Moore is next on the list as a great counter puncher in boxing history.
Even though there is limited footage of his fights from decades ago, many of his techniques are still being used today, including his counter punching and cross arm guard.
In his battle with Rocky Marciano, Moore knocked him out with a shoulder roll and cross while fighting on the back foot. You can see his influence on Floyd Mayweather and Muhammad Ali’s movements.
Today he’s considered as boxing history’s greatest light heavyweight with 132 knockouts, holding the title for a decade until the age of 46.
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is another great counter puncher with lightning-fast hand speed.
Though he was known more as an outboxer, dancing in and out of the pocket, we think he’s one of boxing’s best counterpunchers as well.
His famous rope-a-dope style wasn’t just for show; it allowed him to get his opponents off balance so he could land his counters.
He also preferred to use the pull to set up his counter punching; often when his opponent threw a jab, Ali would follow that jab back to his opponent’s jaw.
Sugar Ray Robinson
Sugar Ray Robinson, one of the greatest boxers ever, is another famous counter puncher.
Robinson would lure his opponent out to throw long range punches. With his opponent overextended and out of position, he would then unleash his tremendous counter punching.
When throwing a left jab to the body, he would drop his head and torso low at the same time, baiting his opponent to throw punches downward. Doing this would open up their head as a target.
Robinson could quickly change from that low position to a left hook to start his combinations.
Willie Pep
Last, but not least, on our list is Willie Pep.
His counter attacks were based on his elusiveness and masterful footwork. Any opponent that faced him had no idea what punch would return from Pep or from what angle.
(Watch some of Pep’s highlights and you’ll see that he made some of his opponents look like they’ve never boxed before in their lives.)
Though his prime was many years ago, many boxing experts consider him one of the best counterpunchers of all time.
Conclusion
Now that you know who the best counter puncher in boxing is, you can study them and incorporate their style into yours.
If you’re more passive and patient, and if you have an accurate eye, the counterpunching style can work well for you.
It’s no coincidence that the ability to counter punch in any situation made them world champions and some of the greatest fighters who ever stepped into the ring.
Other boxers that deserve special mention in today’s scene goes to Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford who are both feared for their great counter punching.
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