Attention GP 'n S89: Exasperating enigma?

Well Eddie Mustaffa Muhummad was top fighter, a world champion, had all the tools and kick arse power plus was gutsy (as evidenced by the Spinks fight) but could still exasperate by a lack of urgency and what we call in Australia "mongrel".

Why else did guys, who to be fair weren't in Muhummad/Gregory's class like Scott or even Gailindez out work him for decision losses?

And there's been plenty of others like that too.

It has to be purely a mental thing, perhaps a lack of desire,competitivenes or self doubt which has nothing at all to do with courage or heart.

 

(1) stamina (lack of it)
(2) preservation of energy
(3) caution and patience , waiting for better opportunities to occur/trying to create them
(4) injuries

 

There was an interesting quote by Hopkins in last months Ring, that I think is very relevant here:

'People are scared of failure, so they don't try.'

I've also heard Teddy Atlas preach similar things. Basically they are saying the fighter does not give 100% because in his mind, if he loses, he can say to himself, 'Well it wasnt the best I could do so this guy didnt really beat me.' Its true as well.

I think this answers your question, its all in the mind really.

 

Yep, Hopkins summed it up superbly.

 

Not just fighters, right? Some of us are too cautious and some of us lead with our faces with no thought of the consequences. Could be a right brain/left brain issue. Just as in other walks of life, risk nothing, gain nothing. But risk too much, with no logic, and wind up with less than nothing. Could be the best find the right balance. I'm still looking for my best. It's elusive, for sure.

 

Yeh its all of life.

The best example is with a pretty girl, hardly any man will just walk right up to her and start talking, why? Because there scared of failing with her.

 

Maybe the best we can do is know our natures and work on the other. I've always been too impulsive by my nature and have paid for it at times. There have been other times when it's paid dividends, though.

 

I leave it all in the ring and the gym. I always give 100% and cant say I held back or anything.

Its outside of the ring that failure scares me. Hey, and I'm not getting hitting the head.

Weird stuff eh?