Which fighters just could not change their styles? Fighters that once losing could not come up with another tactic, or fighters that trainers could not change. They had one style and one way to fight and that's it. Fighters like Frazier, or Tua were always stuck in a rut. Ali, Leonard, Pep, Calzaghe could do different things to win. Any others that were known to be impossible to train, or just stubborn?
Some people aren't going to like this but Felix Trinidad falls into this category. Never thought it before the DeLaHoya fight, but I watched round after round as he just traipsed after Oscar with the same game plan despite nothing working. No plan B. At the time I blamed his corner, but obviously he is just as culpable. Also at the time I accepted his win because I was simply a huge Trinidad fan. But now I sit back, score the fight reasonably and have a score of 116-114 for Oscar. Likewise against Hopkins and Winky. He could change nothing. Now the most amazing adaptation I ever saw was fireplug Chiquita Gonzalez turning into Willie Pep against Carbajal in their 2nd and 3rd jousts. If Felix could have brought that to the table...…..
Yep Perfect choice. He had no plan B, when his opponent figured his style out, he had nothing to counter it.
Nonito Donaire was always stuck to one gear and was overly reliant on that counter left, hoping to land a big one. That flaw showed even before he lost to Rigondeaux.
I think Katsidis could've been champ if he could adapt, but Casamayor was the first to expose Kat could only fight inside, same with Baby Bull. Really liked Juan, but when Nate Campbell took that belt, it was because Juan only had one way of fighting, inside. Kelly Pavlik same thing only in reverse; he needed distance to extend those long arms, Hopkins looked tough against him because he was right in front of Pav, but in reality if he had too much distance, he would've got caught. Hop stayed inside and landed combos, like he found the fountain of youth, when in reality, the master Xecutioner played to Kelly's weakness, stay inside.
It could be said that Tyson wasn't adaptable when losing. Against Douglas and Holyfield, when things weren't going well, he showed no ability to adapt.
Tyson did actually make adjustments. Here are some examples: 1. Did less bobbing and weaving against Ruddock because he didn't want to get caught with The Smash. 2. Gave Mathis Jr. a weird angle in order to hit him flush after being ineffective. 3. Created enough space to drill Botha after being smothered for several rounds. 4. Finding his uppercut against Thomas after having trouble with Thomas's 70s Ali impersonation. Ditto Douglas, but Buster got up.