Do you know more about boxing than a HOF world champion?

I'm sorry I still just don't buy it, there are fighters that can compete in any era. The world recongnized ATG Sugar Ray Robinson, I believe if he was in his prime today he would still rule welter and Middle weight. Ali would compete and rule the heavy weights except one guy by the name of Lennox Lewis would give him trouble with his left hook. Tyson could also give him trouble this his left hook.

 

Trust me I know what you mean 3 minute is an aweful long time to get beat on. Mine were only 2 minute all protected with head gear. I believed I had a pretty good chin and did, but when I got hit high on the head things went south. I learned about the exploding lights that they show on cartoons, I learned about no quite being able to see your opponent through those fire works as they throw more shot at you to put you down. I have no clue what its like to go 10 or 12 rounds, I have no clue what it takes to keep fighting when I true power puncher is taking shots at you. I just an arm chair warrior like the rest of the armchair warrior. I have my opinions, whether right or wrong my opinion is the way I see it. Do I know more because I have had gloves on my hands and fought, no. I did it I was young and it was fun.

 

George Foreman has the most ridiculous opinions about boxing I've ever heard. A lot of championship level boxers aren't even fans of the sport and couldn't tell you who's champ more than one or two weight classes away from them, don't know any old fighters at all. They could school me on HOW to box, but not about boxing.

 

Man shut the **** up. Everyone has an opinion on boxing, and everyone has an opinion on who wins and loses fights.

Fans can never talk about a fighters intestinal fortitude, but they can talk about fighters. If Hagler says Floyd is a lil scared of Pacquiao, what **** do you think Floyds fans are going to say? Hagler is right? If Winky Wright says Floyd will ko Pacquiao, what the **** do you think *******s are going to say? Winky is correct?

 

everyone is entitled to an opinion, yes. but i agree with the idea that less knowledgeable or experienced people here should learn to be less opinionated and be more flexible in discussions. trouble is, too many people here are too self-righteous and issue statements in absolutes.

 

Good post. Yes, you do know a little more due to getting in the ring. My point is to so many that are clueless or trolls that make fun of fighters or question why a fighter gets hurt with a certain punch. I use to watch potential sparring partners spar others first and then I would have an idea of how to get the better of them. I know, you suppose to be learning. I went to a boxing gym that was brutal in Elizabeth, NJ. They were all wars. I still stand by my earlier post and dare those who have not gone to a gym just to check it out. Watch the fighter sparring, hitting the bag, speed bag, shadow boxing, rope, etc. It is hard work and there is no room or use for the word BUM. I respect all that get in the ring and that goes for you too.

 

well keep clicking threads. Youll find a few knows alot about boxing.

 

Good post.

I will say though that some of these athletes say some odd things for one reason or the other. And even Athletes disagree with each other. So its good to take note of their opinions, but when you see them even disagreeing, some of the "fans" opinion can't be to bad unless it has to deal with specific fundamentals or what its like to be inside the ring/game and so on.
But as far as judging talent...WOW...I've seen good and bad opinions from both athletes and fans.

But when they are being serious and honest, analyzing, obviously you go with the Pro Athletes opinion. That's why when I watch ESPN, I'm watching for what the Former/Current Pro Athletes/Analysts have to say. but again, even they disagree and can be both right and wrong. And sometimes, the non-athlete gets it right. I think this was part of the debate with Skip Bayless (who I'm not a big fan of) but he does make some points that the athlete doesn't always get it right either...and that there are talent scouts that weren't pro athletes that have a better eye for talent than those that played the game on a pro level. And guys that weren't that great at the sport but can teach it better than those that are "Great."

That said, there are some arrogant writers and fans that think their opinion matters as much or more as if they should be regarded as "experts." Until you can prove it with a track record, your just another person with an opinion.

And back to Talent....

If we are comparing eras, in any division, we could easily come up with a list where fighters of the past would not only compete with today's fighters, but would more than likely be Champion. Ex: SRR, SLR, and Hearns > today's WW.

Some of the HW contenders I wouldn't favor over some of the past contenders...let alone the top/elite/Great fighters.
Now the Klitschkos, yeah, they stand out. But they also come in shape. Some of the guys today may even have the talent, but like say, Tubbs, they can't get their ass routinely in top shape.

 

How many pro fighters were picking Lacy to destroy Calzaghe for example?

Of course they know a **** ton about how it's to actually be in the ring fighting, but their opinions judging other fighters are not better or worse than anyone else's.

 

That is correct as far as what you said about a just say a boxer who did not make it, but can teach it. Excellent example would be: Freddy Roach. I think Manny Steward was a standout golden glove fighter and look at him now. I don't remember if Manny was ever a pro though. You know who would have made a good scout, Max Kellerman. I wish I could find that old ESPN footage of him arguing with PBF via satellite and PBF pulled Max's skirt up by asking him if he ever boxed. Max paused and stuttered that he did a little sparring in his basement. I could not stop laughing.

 

I think that real-life boxing experience (at any level) gives you a greater respect for fighters.

I'm less convinced that it directly gives you a significantly greater knowledge of boxing. There's probably a greater understanding of what a fighter may be thinking, and more sensitivity to the intangibles and psychological side of things. You also have a better understanding that punching another guy in the face isn't an exact science; strange and unpredictable things can happen.

Ultimately though, it's about how your brain filters whatever knowledge and experience you have, and applies it.