Are they too in love with a technique that will win the fight for them I've been thinking about this for a while, and I think what makes modern fighters "different" to the golden era aside from how things are managed and promoted, is that most fighters are too OBSESSED with a technique winning the fight, or a conceptual idea They train that one thing thinking it won't be countered, or adjusted to. And sometimes they are right and no one can beat them, and get accused of having weak competitors. Other times they are wrong and someone counters it and they get all broken up and shouted down for never being the real deal. I've looked at this idea, this desire to have a "magic pill", and it is something I have seen in many other sports. Usually in other sports when you chase a magic technical solution you undercut all other "spiritual" progress, the kind of progress that has a narrative backbone, growing through your fights themselves and having the competition force you to evolve naturally into the best fighter you can be. Basically if you shortcut the process of pain, with too much technical avoidance, you stem your own evolution as a fighter. And in order to EVOLVE as a fighter, you must let go of the technique and become PRESENT in each and every fight. Truly present. And in this way mark your victories with a true expansion in your mindset. I do believe, it is time for a second golden age, but I think this magic pill mentality is a faulty one, and that true warriors find the spirit to win, and don't just try to "clear the level" with a technical idea or trap. Yes... prepare traps, expand your techniques, but do not be dependent on them. Trust in your soul itself, and bring that into the fight to fight for every minute. To fight to change every glancing blow into a hit, and exchange every glancing blow they land with a miss. This is the only way that raw spirit of boxing can go from a small spark, into a roaring fire.
I think Joshua vs Klitschko is a good example of two guys who worked their techniques and game plans (or “magic pill”) all throughout camp. Then, when things didn’t go according to plan they both adjusted, counter adjusted and fought their asses off. So I don’t think that at the elite levels there is much of a problem with guys focusing on a certain “gotcha” plan and then just falling apart if it doesn’t result in a “check mate”. At the end of the day elite fighters are at the top for a reason and it’s not just because they worked out their counter for this guys jab to the belly, or how to only circle left against this other guy.
No, you must work on technique! You must test yourself with the right competition. You must relearn if need be. You must strive to get better at all times. Find weaknesses in your own game. And when push comes to shove you have to fight back. And if you do loose the fight, then all you can do is learn from the mistakes and keep getting better.
