All fighters of a certain level train hard and are, more often than not at least, in shape (especially compared to non-athletes, and really compared to most athletes in other sports). But some had a gift for it. They took it to another level. They could endure the kind of training that raised their endurance to ridiculous heights. They fought through fatigue to find a second win, and a third and fourth if necessary. Who are some who strike you this way? I’ll cite a couple of examples and let the forum have its say: 1) Rocky Marciano. Dude was a conditioning freak. If he was of only average championship shape I don’t think he’d have been the fighter he was. 2) Troy Dorsey. Kickboxing background, not a stylist or particularly correct fighter by the book. But Troy would start punching when the first bell rang and at the end he was still punching at the same pace. Do what you will, you wouldn’t wear him out nor dent his will. Who else ya got?
Pattern here is usually the hardest worker. Emile Griffth worked till he was peeled to the bone and he never tired. Harada trained so hard to make up for a perceived lack of talent and could breathe easy after a long fight. I’ve never really seen Mayweather tire against even larger men. Frazier was as honest and hard working as they came. Can anyone think of a fighter who was quite literally gifted with great lungs?
Joe Joyce has unreal lungs for a huge man. Cardio is mostly earned but there might be some genetics involved and also being relaxed in the ring helps.
I think alltime greats like Harry Greb (The Pittsburgh Windmill) or Henry Armstrong (Hurricane Henry). To be so successful and to earn such nicknames you simply have to be in an absolutely outstanding condition (and many other fighters weren’t lazy as well).
No, Floyd never seemed tired in any of his fights. One of his many great gifts (and I don’t care for the guy) was his ability to fight relaxed, as well as always being in top shape. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he had a great engine; he very economical in his output. That, combined with his other strengths I mentioned give the appearance of superior stamina.
Alexis Arguello, Archie Moore, Muhammad Ali in his peak years (1964-1967), there was no Rope A Dope, and Carlos Monzon, (1 pack a day smoker during training), he could go 15 rounds if need be.
Manny Pac, Joe Calzaghe & Juan Diaz. As far as modern fighters go, these guys are in a league of their own. Their workrate & output were unmatched.
More than Terry McGovern would probably be George Dixon, for someone with a great workmate late in the fight. (Late as in well past when a modern fight would end)
