What does it take to become a successful boxer? It is clearly more than just physicality, muscularity or strength. Mental strength is also not quite enough. Streetfights also have little relevance to becoming a successful boxer. A successful boxer takes a mix of physical gifts (from birth and training) and boxing-specific gifts (physical and mental) along with talent for this specific sport, the natural style which one finds themselves fighting with and of course the skills and experience one develops and picks up on the way to success. It all starts with physical gifts as one needs to have a certain level of athleticism to compete at the higher levels of boxing. From here it progresses to mental fortitude and physical attributes that are very boxing specific, like handspeed which is something one usually only finds out about from boxing. From here talent for actually performing the sport of boxing is paramount to developing a successful boxer, much of this is deep within the psyche and can be observed by the angles one uses when boxing or the way they manipulate the tempo and rhythm of opponents. The natural fighting style of the boxer is also vital, and this does not mean any one style is superior; instead this means that the boxer will always have ability to not get hit and use efficient footwork no matter what type of style is used. There are also universal skills which apply to every boxer regardless of style, and these need to be deeply ingrained in the brain, nervous system and muscles; these skills need to happen with little or no conscious thought; they are automatic. Last but certainly not least is building experience, not with just boxing matches, but with executing at a high level and using all of the aforementioned characteristics. Some boxers are so incredibly physically gifted and have such a great feel for boxing their mental strength and resiliency is not fully tested or even partially required; what happens is the boxer has little experience executing ALL of the previously mentioned attributes. So, check out this quick list and apply this to evaluating the fighters you watch on television or youtube. Separate the physical 'beasts' from the successful boxers, observe a fighter using his brain consciously or even more entertaining, when they operate on shear instinct and 'fighting spirit'. Please feel free to let me know what you think, I'd be happy to hear you elaborate or give examples of the following list. physical gifts athleticism overall speed coordination physical strength boxing-specific gifts mental resilience handspeed punch resistance punch power body control integrate upper-core-lower body balance and posture boxing-specific talent maintain composure innate ability of spacing innate ability to sense patterns respond to adversity strongly carry weight impose will natural fighting style avoid punches footwork adjustments boxing skills counterpunching feinting put punches together in combinations sense opponent mentality execution experience concentration on opponent energy conservation concealing pain reverse momentum frustrate opponent formulate multiple strategies easily adjust strategies
nice evaluation. on a tangent... if i had to choose just one attribute that is most common among great fighters, it would be a solid chin. hardly any greats are weak in this department. whereas you get more who, for example, have slow hands, not much power etc.
