Why do people so often make the distinction that speed = skill

Don't know who makes that distinction to be honest...

harsh to say that Zab was 'just' a speed demon.

GRJ maybe...but most people are aware that he wasn't facing the best opposition.

 

I can't stand when people think speed means a guy has a lot of skills.

Amir Khan is perhaps the #1 example.

 

It is the same with footwork. If you have really FAST feet, then you have GREAT FOOTWORK! That was one thing that always really bothered me another Martinez, Pac, Khan, heck we can go back to Ali.

Fast feet doesn't equal good technical footwork.

 

Too bad he has one of the worst chins in the sport

 

'one of the worst' - I guess it's better than having 'the worst' which he was once labelled as having

 

Speed in itself is a skill, some skills you are born with like speed or a good chin others are crafted and formed through many hours in a gym honing your craft and technique.

But I get your point, speed alone doesn't make you a skilled all round boxer. It can make you hard to out box though, speed if great enough can hide a multitude of technical sins until someone comes along and takes that speed away and then you're ****ed if all you have is speed.

 

I always found Ricky Hatton to be a interesting case when analysing footwork. Depending on who you were talking to they always seemed to either severely over or underrate his footwork.

 

I disagree, i don't think speed in itself is a skill. I think speed is a tool. Having skills is knowing how to use the tools you have in the best possible way.

 

zab had great speed but no power and movement..............

pacman has even greater speed and crazy punching power with amazing footwork...........and pacman can box your ears of if he wants..........

 

Depends upon your definition of skill. Some regard a skill as something that can only be learned while others regard an innate aptitude as a skill.

Personally I'm with you and regard skill in terms of boxing as something that can only be learned but I've seen people on this forum use the other definition.

 

wow the left hook khan catches paulie with around 3.49 is lightning, yeah people always describe people with a certain talent as skillful as well as people who display genuine excellent technique, for me its someone who has the balance and tecnhique to execute learned moved really well

 

Yeah i realised as i wrote that message that we were probably on the same page, it just depends on how you use the word. Anyway, i'm glad somebody made this thread. Too many casuals around here that confuse athletic ability with boxing skill.

 

bravo...bravodeal

 

james toney for me is the best example of skill , as he not really athletic but has his moves and technique down