When comparing fighters it seems to boil down to mainly three categories: physical attributes (speed, strength, size, power, chin, stamina etc), technique and mental strength. I feel that certain other elements often are neglected. Such as balance*, ability to be economical and stay relaxed in every instance, adaptability, intuitive tactical smarts (this differs from ability to devise a good gameplan; is rather about ability to read an opponents moves and always be in the right position etc - things that are done more or less instinctively), and ability to stay focussed. The "fine print" of boxing in another word. Do you agree that these aspects are missing, and if so, which fighters are affected the most by this lack? *Balance is really part of technique IMO, but when technique is discussed the emphasis is so big on being a "complete technician" and/or "fundamentally sound" that fighters who have superb balance but don't fall into these main categories are left out of the discussion, being labelled as foremost physically gifted.
i totally agree, balance is largely neglected by people. But i think the ability to stay calm in a given situation is a god given talent that deserves more recognition
Yes these are often things that are left to a trainer to point out for his fighter. Devising a gameplan (very big part of boxing thats often undervalued), when to do certain things, capitalize on certain moves, move a certain way, feints, create an opening by making a movement or throwing a certain punch, etc and etc. Timing is one of my favorites thats often undervalued.
i dont know if it is totally god given..because it is a talent that can be developed..often by going through adversity...both in the ring and in ones own private life.
timing is a good one....people often call great fast fighters fast..and dont realize what really makes them great is the timing....mayweather was no faster then zab judah..but his timing showed better....a guy like winky wright...even in his prime...wasnt that fast (if you put a radar gun on his punches) but his timing was so good he could do things that with speed alone he would have needed to have been superman. timing is related to skills and reflexes..but it is also something more...
Pivoting and positioning. Whitaker had these both in spades. He was never off balance, but could put the other fighter off balance with a simple pivot, and be in position to strike and pivot again, before the other fighter knew what happened. Also Pep obviously mastered this. If you have seen him move, stop on the dime, and pivot and move the other way, at the same time fienting, can imagine him winning a round without throwing a punch, regardless if it is true or not.
Balance is key to technique, and sometimes you see pro's make mistakes my coach rides me for, so while it is something I watch for.. I don't know that most armchair fans even think about. Timing and creating openings also goes unmentioned. Good call there. Adaptability is something I always admire, even if begrudgingly... Guys like Floyd Mayweather, who I never root for, can appear in big trouble for a round then come back out with a new game plan...or adapt on the fly sometimes... and go on to dominate. At those times you can just sense the other corner cussing because they thought they had the answer to the riddle, but were proven wrong. Cool and calm demeanor in the ring is also big. I've never had a fight, but have done some sparring and can tell you that once you get popped a couple times, its easy to tense up and lose your game-plan and become a reactive fighter...whose is probably going to get beaten because then you are fighting the other guys fight.
Yes I was going to mention Mayweather Jr. He is really one of the few who can do it on his own within a fight without watching tapes of his opponents. Thats a natural gift that a lot of people dont understand. Floyd would make an excellent trainer someday if he chose. He is one of the few fighters that only needs a trainer to assist him with the pace at which he operates. You rarely hear them having to give him technical advice. Not too many ever like him, Ali was another one.
