Developing mental strength for boxing

[dempsey1234]

I dont know if enough time is spent on the mental aspects of boxing. I am not a trainer but I see fighters who are in total command. Like Floyd Mayweather, no matter how hard an oppt comes at him he is in total control. There is a clip of Joe Louis in a fight with Max Baer. Max Baer was a hard punching, rough tough fighter, with a excellent chin, he had never been on the deck in almost 50 pro fights, and he was an ex heavyweight champ. Louis, was a young pro facing a beast. As you watch the fight Baer rushes out and tries to bully Louis and tries to get Louis into a punchup. At first Louis is flustered, but Louis' mental strength came to play,the next time, he convinced Baer that it wasnt the wisest thing to try to get Louis into a slugfest. Louis remained cool and fired back with precise accurate punches. If Louis had lost his cool or been intimidated, who knows what would have happened.
My question is, can this mindset, where no matter the heat coming in a fighter like Louis or Mayweather maintain their composure, can this be taught or is it like power where you are born with it?
the Joe Louis - Max Baer
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[orriray59]

Of course it's taught, even the most composed of all fighters would've been nervous and jittery in the ring at first.
Some people become mentally stronger, though. Than others.

[NVSemin]

Most of Big boxers like Sugar Ray, Mayweather, Pacquiao, Holyfield, James Toney, Zab Judas are believers. Watch Beyond the glory series to answer your question

[dealt_with]

What on earth is 'mental strength'? That's such an ambiguous, meaningless term. There are many different aspects to a persons psychology, and they can all be developed which is why the profession of sports psychology exists.

[dealt_with]

Originally Posted by dempsey1234

I dont know if enough time is spent on the mental aspects of boxing. I am not a trainer but I see fighters who are in total command. Like Floyd Mayweather, no matter how hard an oppt comes at him he is in total control. There is a clip of Joe Louis in a fight with Max Baer. Max Baer was a hard punching, rough tough fighter, with a excellent chin, he had never been on the deck in almost 50 pro fights, and he was an ex heavyweight champ. Louis, was a young pro facing a beast. As you watch the fight Baer rushes out and tries to bully Louis and tries to get Louis into a punchup. At first Louis is flustered, but Louis' mental strength came to play,the next time, he convinced Baer that it wasnt the wisest thing to try to get Louis into a slugfest. Louis remained cool and fired back with precise accurate punches. If Louis had lost his cool or been intimidated, who knows what would have happened.
My question is, can this mindset, where no matter the heat coming in a fighter like Louis or Mayweather maintain their composure, can this be taught or is it like power where you are born with it?
the Joe Louis - Max Baer
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

And you're not born with power you fuckwit, it's something that's developed. I'm yet to see a baby crawl out and start knocking people out.

[dempsey1234]

Originally Posted by dealt_with

And you're not born with power you fuckwit, it's something that's developed. I'm yet to see a baby crawl out and start knocking people out.

Cartoon time

[dempsey1234]

Originally Posted by dealt_with

What on earth is 'mental strength'? That's such an ambiguous, meaningless term. There are many different aspects to a persons psychology, and they can all be developed which is why the profession of sports psychology exists.

[dempsey1234]

[quote=dealt_with;14245303]What on earth is 'mental strength'? That's such an ambiguous, meaningless term. There are many different aspects to a persons psychology, and they can all be developed which is why the profession of sports psychology exists.[/qu

This posts deserves a response, for those trainers/ fighters, who may be intersted in learning something that might improve performance afighter who feels good about himself will perform better, in training and in a fight. Motivation, is a mental aspect of boxing knowing how to instill confience is another. dealt, states the obivious, yes there is a "profession of sports psychology".
FYI, not everybody has the resources to bring one in, so its left to the coach to try and learn as much as he can.

[Jdsm]

I don't think he was suggesting that people need to hire a sport psychologist, but was just criticising what he feels is an oversimplification of what is a very broad area.

[dempsey1234]

Originally Posted by Jdsm

I don't think he was suggesting that people need to hire a sport psychologist, but was just criticising what he feels is an oversimplification of what is a very broad area.

Neither was I, but you brought up a good point, people are prone to over complicate things rather than oversimplify something.

I would rather learn about about somrthing than defend a statement. If you have something along the lines of tips, advice, anecdotes, that would help a coach or fighter with something they could use to improve do that.

[viru§™]

It can't be taught, it's about being confident in your own abilities as a fighter.

Watch a Maywether interview, cockiest bastard in the fucking world.

[orriray59]

Originally Posted by viru§™

It can't be taught, it's about being confident in your own abilities as a fighter.

Watch a Maywether interview, cockiest bastard in the fucking world.

Cockiness outside the ring and belief in yourself is different to remaining composed within the ring when serious leather is being thrown at you, mate.

No boxer, no matter how fantastic or composed, has been like that under fire in the ring during their first few sparring sessions. It takes years of experience.

[dempsey1234]

Originally Posted by viru§™

It can't be taught, it's about being confident in your own abilities as a fighter.

Watch a Maywether interview, cockiest bastard in the fucking world.

You're right, I guess that answers my question, thanks

[viru§™]

Originally Posted by orriray59

Cockiness outside the ring and belief in yourself is different to remaining composed within the ring when serious leather is being thrown at you, mate.

No boxer, no matter how fantastic or composed, has been like that under fire in the ring during their first few sparring sessions. It takes years of experience.

There's not a huge difference. If you honestly believe plain and simple you're the best boxer in the world you'll do far better than some guy that doesn't believe in himself. It's all about self belief.

The people that do the best in life go after what they want no matter what. Being punched in the face over and over is not going to stop someone with that kind of mentality, they just won't quit. That's why I find the "I lost 2 fights, shall I quit boxing, I really want to win a title, though" threads funny, they just don't have it in them.

[MagnaNasakki]

Discipline helps.

Do the work, every day. Train hard, everyday. Follow instructions, every day.

Way easier to weather difficulty if you did everything right beforehand.