Boxing's finest left hookers

Afternoon, fellas.

In light of Adam's thread on Tommy Morrison, a fighter known for his ever-dangerous left hook, I started thinking about who we'd all class amongst the best left-hookers in boxing history.

As arguably the most aesthetically pleasing shot in the game when executed well, what certain examples can you think of which really left you thinking 'wow'?

I'll get the ball rolling - Felix Trinidad. Some say he was too reliant on his famed left hook, but by Lord, what a punch it was. Tito's left hook was like something out of a horror movie. The image of Fernando Vargas, only about fifteen seconds in to his Light-Middleweight unification showdown with Tito, taking a Trinidad left hook flush on the chin, his legs instantly wobbling upon impact (eventually betraying him as he went to the canvas) and his face displaying a look which seemed to be saying "Jesus, what the hell was that I just felt?" is something not easily forgotten.

And of course, there was the left hook which preempted the finishing assault on Campas in that superb four-round shootout he and Trinidad had, too. The best and most lethal left hand in history between 147 and 154?

Who else perfected the left hook to a tee, repeatedly took care of business with that shot, and stunned us all with it time and time again?

Ta, everyone.

Best left hooks I ever saw in a fight.............

Robbo - Fullmer
Foster - Tiger
Curry - Mccrory
Frazier - Foster
Tyson - Williams
Mccallum - Curry

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Frazier. Just made taking a guys head off look so beautiful.

88Chris05 wrote: The image of Fernando Vargas, only about fifteen seconds in to his Light-Middleweight unification showdown with Tito, taking a Trinidad left hook flush on the chin, his legs instantly wobbling upon impact (eventually betraying him as he went to the canvas) and his face displaying a look which seemed to be saying "Jesus, what the hell was that I just felt?" is something not easily forgotten.

That will be because of his hardened wraps

Joe Frazier
Ruben Olivares
Roy Jones
Pipino Cuevas
Julio Cesar Chavez
Carlos Zarate

How about Tony Zale's finishing left hook against Graziano in their third and final fight? Just about the definition of a punch landing bang on the point of the chin.

The double left hook is my favorite move in boxing. Hook to the body or head was a move I practiced over and over again.

Don't know if he's been mentioned but David Tua has been described as having the most powerful left hook in boxing. While Fraizer's was all class Tua's was blunt force trauma.

A left hook I have admired is Barrera's. An absolute quality punch, very quick and doubles it up for effortlessly.

Salvador Sanchez's also and again doubling up was no issue.

Ricky Hatton had some left hook on him when digging it into the body. That one he landed on Castillo was as near to perfect as you could possibly get. Still remember the wince on the guys face....a punch which reportedly broke 4 of his ribs.

Tommy Morrison had a vicious left hook, nowadays Nonito Donaire is almost gauranteed to badly hurt a fighter, if not stop them, if he lands the shot cleanly, whips it in with such power and tenacity.

one of the greatest left hooks i have ever seen was frazier on ali, think it would have put nearly anybody else in a coma. unfortunately it was hit on one of the best chins of all time

Walcott's crafty left hook on Charles was class.

Mayweather's check hook is worth a mention.

But Floyd Paterson had the best imo.

Hatton-Maussa

Frazier's left hook on Ali was the most beautiful shot I've ever seen, everything just happens in one motion.

Nat Fleischer rated Ruby Robert Fitzsimmons and i guess for sheer power it might be difficult to disagree but come on guys the best left hooker , the great Jack Dempsey. He almost decapitated Willard and how about the vicious short left hooks on Firpo, lifted him off the ground.

Love the Trinidad shout, some commited when he threw it, sheer devastating. Bummy Davis had a peach on him, Langford starched Harry Wills with one and the best on film bar Sugar Rays is Pattersons on Ingo.

Cheers Rodders

Curry's left hook on Mccallum was absolutely positively indisputably perfect. Not even Rays matches that.

Mcrory* not mccallum

Further proof that I am indeed a casual boxing fan when Audley's left on Sprott sprang to mind!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Agq2txcLJqU

Freek - 2:23 onwards

ShahenshahG wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Agq2txcLJqU

Freek - 2:23 onwards

Crisp.

De La Hoya had a great left hook, as Vargas discovered.

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:Best left hooks I ever saw in a fight.............

Robbo - Fullmer
Foster - Tiger
Curry - Mccrory
Frazier - Foster
Tyson - Williams
Mccallum - Curry

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Tito vs Oscar - although it didnt play out that way in the fight

Danny Garcia putting Morales away was a pretty special left hook...

In the absence of the much missed and maligned waingro. Here's a shout for Henry's hammer.

Unfortunately it proved no match for Thor's hammer... Though probably would have done if poor 'enery hadn't been blinded by the sun.

rob-glos wrote:Danny Garcia putting Morales away was a pretty special left hook...

His left hook against Khan was a cracking shot aswell, if it had landed square on the jaw Khan would not of been getting up

Tua's left was indeed a thing of utter devastation. The last one he landed on John Ruiz nearly decapitated him. How the hell did Ibeabuchi's chin not shatter in their fight?

Done something to his brain though.

I think ibeabuchi's picnic was half eaten before the tua fight shah!

Wayne Alexander on takaloo. As brutal a left hook as has ever landed.

Poor Takaloo, that hook would have felled a tree!

DaveVDK wrote:

rob-glos wrote:Danny Garcia putting Morales away was a pretty special left hook...

His left hook against Khan was a cracking shot aswell, if it had landed square on the jaw Khan would not of been getting up

The punch on the neck is worse, its on a pressure point, especially with khan always goes down from shots away from the chin, vs Prescott on the temple, vs Garcia neck/behind the ear/top of the head, vs diaz on top of the head (more of a off balance KD).

Israel Vazquez had a nasty left whack on him

As previously mentioned
SRR v Fullmer
A perfect left hook thrown on the retreat whilst under fire, from [moreorless] hip height delivered to the point of the chin rendering the opponent helpless.

According to the late Bert Sugar the press box as one voice said "Did you see that punch? That was PERFECT!"

So perfect in fact that Fullmer said he didn't even remember being hit by it, next thing he knew was he was back in the corner sitting on the stool, thinking to himself why is SRR doing exercises [jumping up & down] inbetween rounds!

Not sure if he is particularly well known for his left hook, but the left hook that did for Williams against Martinez was a peach.

Jeff 'Left Hook' Lacy.

ShahenshahG wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Agq2txcLJqU

Freek - 2:23 onwards

Thanks for posting Shah, had not seen before.

I know refereeing is a tough job, but Im not sure it was a good idea to let Mccrory out again. It seemed pretty obvious he was about to get ruined. Hindsight I guess.

2nd round of a big unification fight, you can understand why the ref wanted to give him every chance ... But frankly it was pretty poor refereeing.