What makes a champion in your eyes? Every champion seems to excel at two of these five traits. Now, what order would you put the following traits in, from most important to least: Heart, Chin, Speed, Power, Technique. For me it would go Heart. Ali wasn’t the greatest because he never lost a fight. Ali was the greatest because he had so much heart. There was simply no quit in the man. Speed. Speed kills. Speed is deadly. Plenty of champions became champions on this trait alone. Even glass jawed Amir Khan. Technique. You look at a guy like Lomachenko, who’s movements in the ring are so good, boxing trainers started incorporating them into standard training, meaning he literally changed the game. Chin. Gotta be able to take a punch. Power. The great equalizer. Tyson Fury boxed Deontay Wilders head off for 30+ minutes only to have it all undone by two right hands the last of which was a war crime. What traits do you feel are missing that make champions? What have I missed?
Depends on the era & division. I wouldn't doubt for a moment that those who lost to Vitali or Wlad had those traits, but as Evander said, when he sparred with them they are so strong on the inside, they can force U to stay out...but if U do they can jab U from across the ring. A decade past no one could defeat those 2, so we chalked it up as a bad decade for HW's. Is it possible some fighters are fast, but can't always time their foe? In other words is timing the same or different than one who has speed as a trait? Hopkins is my example, not very fast, but his ability to time people made up for his lack of speed. Tysod had all except heart. We didn't know for awhile because he kept ko'ing is foes. Wasn't until the bite fight that he solidified his lack of heart. But it didn't stop him from unifying the HW division. Power is illusory considering that we have had some great champions who weren't KO artists from Benny Leonard to Pernell Whitaker. Give credit where credit is due Pauli Malinaggi made it a long ways considering he really lacked power, but it didn't stop him. All those are good traits to have, IMO-none greater than the other, just a matter of what traits does your foe has that can be negated?
I would put timing under technique personally. It’s a technique you use if you have it and Hopkins is an amazing example.
Reach is an underrated trait. A pretty large percentage of ATG's had a reach advantage over the vast majoruty of their opponents. Being able to hit your opponent from a distance he can't hit you is a huge advantage to have.
Important traits are your training habits in the gym, Preparing for your next opponent. Taking the fight serious, this also comes with listening to your trainer. no female companionship before a fight, no alcohol consumption, and no partying. Obey the law, people will try to get a rise out of you. Roadwork and conditioning are very essential to your regiment. It is very important to know how to carry yourself in public, be a positive role model, good manners,etc. Do not run off at the mouth like many do today, remember there was only one Muhammad Ali, be yourself. Do not be arrogant, but believe in yourself. Let the fight promoter do the talking with your chosen management. Fight a good fight, using all your boxing techniques at your disposal, but stay within the parameters of the rules. Fight with heart and pride. Most important, keep your hands up. Do not fall into your opponent's shenanigans, if he wants to behave like a clown, ignore it. And if he begins talking,do not react, remember his mouth cannot win him a fight.
Adaptibilty. Being able to impose, or change, your style on nearly every opponent. And of course, heart and IQ.
It because he seems like a fake humble PR man, with a nasty / egotistical underside. Alexis Arguello acted the same way, but was loved because he was genuine.
Another one, nationality. No use being very good if you can't win fights going the distance, due to having the "wrong" nationality.
Discipline to live through the daily grind. Being a professional - no matter what profession, at the elite level takes 365 days of dedication. Year in year out. Over 10+ years. Without getting distracted by injuries, drugs, alcohol, gambling, junk food, prostitutes or family issues. Few have that type of discipline. Be it in music, boxing, long-distance running, tennis or other performing arts/sports.