How important is mental strength in boxing?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Juan carlos, Jul 1, 2023.


  1. Juan carlos

    Juan carlos Active Member Full Member

    727
    444
    Aug 31, 2019
    how important is mental strength for a boxer... how do you define mental strength in a fight?... what do you mean by mental strength?
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2023
  2. elmaldito

    elmaldito Skillz Full Member

    22,298
    6,135
    Jun 11, 2009
    the most important aspect in boxing. The ability to stay calm under fire and stick to your gameplan no matter what and be able to think clearly under fire change to plan b if a aint working. adjust. Maintain confidence to not be detoured even if getting ass handed to you.
     
    Philly161, tee_birch, mono and 9 others like this.
  3. miniq

    miniq AJ IS A BODYBUILDING BUM Full Member

    47,334
    27,073
    Oct 23, 2011
    the most important

    Which is why Ali and Fury are the goats
     
    elmaldito likes this.
  4. like a boss

    like a boss Boxing Junkie Full Member

    11,285
    7,018
    Jul 30, 2012
    There are few, if any, more important ingredients.
     
    Snails likes this.
  5. Brighton bomber

    Brighton bomber Loyal Member Full Member

    31,173
    29,095
    Apr 4, 2005
    It's important in all sports at the top level, the elites in any sport have to be able to develop coping mechanisms that allows them to dig deeper than their opponents and push through the mental and physical barriers that limit their performance.

    Sports performance has a strong correlation to mental fortitude. It's simply not normal for the body to be pushed to these levels and so the mind tells you to stop. Ever run as far as you could go or as fast as you could go, then stop but 30 seconds later you feel fine and could go again? That's because your mind has lied to you, perceived effort can't be trusted as your mind isn't some consistent or reliable measure of your effort. Elite athletes know this and create coping mechanisms to overcome what their mind is telling them so they can not only continue but push on even harder.
     
  6. kirk

    kirk l l l Staff Member

    70,548
    26,654
    Jul 26, 2004
    It's very important, but still needs to be coupled with a myriad of other high level qualities to really be a high level fighter imo. And at that high level it takes more than just mental strength.

    Most of the fighters you see on television are mentally strong. Sure there are a few physical phenoms that are able to ascend the ranks due to their talents and promoters, that aren't as hardened as their peers.

    But for the most part, world level contenders and champions are mentally strong.

    So it doesn't come down to who is mentally stronger as often as it comes down to other attributes, imo.

    That all being said though, yes, being mentally strong is a crucial component for a sport where getting your butt kicked comes with the territory.
     
  7. drenlou

    drenlou VIP Member Full Member

    74,191
    38,399
    Jan 22, 2015
    Boxing Is 90% mental 10% physical. Actually being in the ring and throwing punches is easy, having to think and guess what your opponent is going to do is the hard part. But If you're a skilled enough boxer, everything will come natural to you. It takes a strong mind to be willing to take and give punches, it's not for everybody, boxing is the toughest sport in the world and if you're mind is weak you won't make it in boxing. Mental strength is the most important thing in the sport.
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2023
    Mike_b, mono, Levook and 1 other person like this.
  8. Levook

    Levook Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,560
    2,984
    Aug 26, 2020
    Mike Tyson once said after a fight that when his mind was right, his jaw was like concrete and nothing could stop him. I believe he also once said that getting in shape physically was the easy part.

    I agree that mental strength & toughness is the most important aspect of boxing, and when combined with a sharp boxing brain, can sometimes produce greatness.
     
    Mike Cannon likes this.
  9. like a boss

    like a boss Boxing Junkie Full Member

    11,285
    7,018
    Jul 30, 2012
    If you don't have unshakeable faith in your ability to get the job done you don't belong in a boxing ring.
     
    KO KIDD likes this.
  10. DonnyMo

    DonnyMo Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,593
    2,226
    Feb 21, 2011
    uhh geez, I dunno, I suppose...well I suppose it's not important at all really
     
    m.s. likes this.
  11. RJJFan

    RJJFan Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

    14,002
    6,960
    Sep 5, 2010
    This content is protected
     
    Gareth Priest likes this.
  12. vast

    vast Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    25,988
    19,870
    Nov 27, 2010
    It makes all the difference. All things equal the mentally stronger fighter, he can overcome adversity, will prevail.
     
  13. KernowWarrior

    KernowWarrior Bob Fitzsimmons much bigger brother. Full Member

    3,123
    3,432
    Jul 12, 2012
    From the boxing psychologist himself Cus D'amato - "When you step into the ring, you gotta know you deserve to win. You gotta know destiny owes you victory, cause you trained harder than your opponent. You sparred harder. You ran farther".

    So yes mental strength, but in tandem with knowing you have done the work in the gym and put the roadwork miles in.
     
    Mike_b and Brighton bomber like this.
  14. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

    78,222
    127,097
    Jul 21, 2009
    Mental and physical strength are both types of strength but they are not the same

    Like how Chinese and Japanese are both nese but they're not the same

    Different people, different culture and customs, different language etc.

    You feel me?
     
  15. mono

    mono Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,215
    1,403
    May 31, 2013
    Look at Ryan Garcia vs Tank. He had all the attributes to easily beat tank minus the mentality. Dude came out swinging and as soon as he took one big shot, he immediately crumbled mentally and became gun shy.

    Would y’all say mental strength is more or less the same as heart?
     
    KO KIDD likes this.