Trash talk that genuinely harmed an opponent's performance?

I think Tyson Fury got into Wladimir Klitschko's head with his antics, i also remember Chris Eubank saying Steve Collins got into his head with the whole "Hypnotised not to lose".

George Groves seemed to get under Carl Froch's skin in their 1st meeting, but then the roles were reserved as Froch destroyed Groves mentally in their 2nd fight, especially when they had that sit down.

 

Earnie Shavers calling Jimmy Ellis a blown up middleweight got to him. That suckered Jimmy into going toe to toe with Shavers to prove a point and that's exactly what Shavers wanted. Jimmy might have done significantly better if he boxed.

 

Just reminded me of how Leonard said Duran got into his head before Brawl In The Montreal, calling him a woman and etc. And Leonard wanted to prove he could stand toe to toe with Duran.

 

Leonard is generally full of **** and their gameplan was to be aggressive and back Duran up.

 

Ref Nady wrapping up the pre fight instructions: “Any questions?”

Antonio Tarver: “Yeah, I’ve got a question. Got any excuses tonight ROY?”

As well timed as the KO punch that followed shortly thereafter in round 2.

 

Interesting. I didn’t know Shavers said that. Almost backfired, Jimmy was sticking it to Earnie pretty good until the big uppercut ended Ellis’ night.

 

Tbh I think jimmy wins that fight more often than not.

 

Ricardo Mayorga was an over the top trash talker...and it sure didn't help him vs ODLH or Shane Mosely.

 

I remember Jaidon Codrington got in Brian Vera's face on The Contender and kept barking 'pack yo bags!' in the fighter house before the bout. Vera was seriously intimidated and he fought terribly. Probably the best example I've ever seen.

Bernard Hopkins noticeably rattled several guys with his talk - Tito, Winky Wright, and William Joppy being the best examples. It showed in all three fights.

 

Griffith-Carter, I think. I don’t exist in Emile’s head so I can’t tell you but that would never happen in a rematch!

 

I still can’t comprehend how he beat Forrest. Twice, no fluke!

 

Nonito man, he was so hurt over casimero talking chit about his wife that he cancelled the fight.

I think it was a person in casimero s camp named memo who told Rachel to "snack on these" not a good look towards a fighters wife/ trainer/ manager. Albeit Donaire caught a lot of criticism for that, people were calling him the Filipino turtle.

 

BHop ripped a PR flag out of Tito's hands and trashed it to the floor...in a San Juan stadium!

 

Yeah, I can see that.

Wow, Jimmy came out with some fire and he definitely hurt Earnie in my book. Ellis had some punch - he dropped Bonavena twice IIRC.

I don’t want to belabour the point because I have noted it before - but damn, Earnie holding the back of the head while delivering the uppercut was one, very blatant foul.

It was an alarmingly consistent ploy.

Earnie even outdid himself v Bugner. First holding Bugners head with the right hand, Earnie ripped a low blow with the left, he then seamlessly switched hands, holding the back of Bugner’s head with the left glove and then ripped a right uppercut that put Joe down.

Earnie might’ve got warned for same here and there but in the main, he appeared immune to any ref remonstration for the practice. And tbh, I am surprised to have not heard/read any complaints from the fouled opposition.