Is boxing ability primarily genetic, developed through training, or merely the butterfly effect?

Bit of both, boxing is one of the sports where having athleticism matters less so (comparatively to something like football, rugby, olympic weightlifting, etc where technique and mindset are important but athleticism is king). So genetics and your predisposition to explosiveness, low bodyfat, good cardiovascular system, and most importantly a brain resistant to trauma, is important. But the nuture is just as important if not moreso, as mental toughness, technique and a brain have always produced the better boxers than sheer athleticism. Especially nowadays because like it or not, alot of first world countries have weak mindsets and a lack of toughness within a majority of their population.

Hope that makes sense.

 

It is hard work and extended education.
Every single guy that is incredibly, naturally gifted worked very hard to make you think that it came easy.

 

Hard work and dedication, and actually FIGHTING or at the least sparring consistently over many years.
For the most part other than Ali and Jones Jr. Most of the best boxers in history were average athletically .

 

A bit of everything.

I'd argue that mental strength and training are what really set certain fighters apart.

I mean Marciano had crappy genetics for a heavyweight what with t-rex arms and small size, but through obsessive training he made it all work brilliantly. Canelo is likewise a stubby guy with a bum knee, but he trains and drills very hard and has become a little monster. Ali is a combination of training and genetics, but, notice that when he started slacking off, his fights became much closer and he didn't look like a million bucks anymore.

 

Nature and nurture, just like any other sport.

 

Have you ever seen a good fighter produced without a long amount of study and dedication?

 

Mm. I think there is a point where no amount of training can help. Some low T guy with that condition where he never hits puberty is gonna be crushed by a 15 year old off the street his own size. As for the rest the "normal" guys you play your cards and you get what you put in, in my opinion.

 

Max Baer maybe.

 

Physically it’s a combination of a lot of things. After that It’s all about levels. Finding the right level through the Discipline a fighter has throughout his development. Respecting a bad experience and using it as fuel for the next stage. Learning to become mentally stronger and more motivated from the experiences you are exposed to.

Of course there are limits. Wear and tear. And career timing to consider.

 

The right breeding ground helps a heap too.
As you say, social environment.
It's not at all uncommon that when a boxing hotspot occurs, that hotspot starts producing good fighters.

There might be some unbelievable natural talent in places like China or India, but boxing's just not popular in those countries. (Which is a huge shame, considering the population of those countries.)
A top talent would soon be frustrated by the lack of good trainers, good sparring and getting fights. Maybe enough to make him persue something else instead.

 

I think the fighter has to have desire and some athletic ability. That being said, from what I've seen and experienced, the boxers who (stealing from greynotsoold ) have been "immersed" in boxing for most of their life seem to have an advantage. I don't think Tyson Fury had a lot of amateur fights, but he was always around his boxing family, FMJ, the Russell brothers, Lomachenko, Chris Byrd, RJJ, and I'm sure there are lots more have been either boxing or around boxing since they were children and they are hard to beat.

They can either anticipate their opponent's next step or they have been seeing everything for so long that they know, but they are hard to hit, they are relaxed in the ring to a point that most others never achieve. I might see something that changes my mind, but for now I think the biggest advantage a fighter can have is a relative who takes interest in them as a boxer early in life and lets them hang around the gym/sport and learn. Shakur Stevenson is another example, his grandfather worked with him, there are many.

 

You cannot overstate the importance of somebody that cares, especially to a young fighter.
I have seen many guys, and I am sure that you have too, and they really aren't good trainers, from a technical perspective. But they pour their heart into their kids and have considerable success, to a point. I think that it is entirely due to the kid working harder and fighting harder because he knows that someone he respects believes in him.