Fighters with the gift of stamina/conditioning

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Saintpat, Sep 14, 2021.


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  1. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    All fighters of a certain level train hard and are, more often than not at least, in shape (especially compared to non-athletes, and really compared to most athletes in other sports).

    But some had a gift for it. They took it to another level. They could endure the kind of training that raised their endurance to ridiculous heights. They fought through fatigue to find a second win, and a third and fourth if necessary.

    Who are some who strike you this way? I’ll cite a couple of examples and let the forum have its say:

    1) Rocky Marciano. Dude was a conditioning freak. If he was of only average championship shape I don’t think he’d have been the fighter he was.

    2) Troy Dorsey. Kickboxing background, not a stylist or particularly correct fighter by the book. But Troy would start punching when the first bell rang and at the end he was still punching at the same pace. Do what you will, you wouldn’t wear him out nor dent his will.

    Who else ya got?
     
    Saintpat, Sep 14, 2021
    Saintpat, Sep 14, 2021
    #1
  2. Kamikaze

    Kamikaze Bye for now! banned Full Member

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    Pattern here is usually the hardest worker. Emile Griffth worked till he was peeled to the bone and he never tired.

    Harada trained so hard to make up for a perceived lack of talent and could breathe easy after a long fight.

    I’ve never really seen Mayweather tire against even larger men. Frazier was as honest and hard working as they came.

    Can anyone think of a fighter who was quite literally gifted with great lungs?
     
    Kamikaze, Sep 14, 2021
    Kamikaze, Sep 14, 2021
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  3. Eddie Ezzard

    Eddie Ezzard Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Some of the Mexican guys - Sanchez, Chavez, Canto. Maybe the high altitude they lived at helped.
     
    Eddie Ezzard, Sep 14, 2021
    Eddie Ezzard, Sep 14, 2021
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  4. Shay Sonya

    Shay Sonya The REAL Wonder Woman! Full Member

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    From what I have seen on films I would add Joe Frazier in his prime.
     
    Shay Sonya, Sep 14, 2021
    Shay Sonya, Sep 14, 2021
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  5. Bigcheese

    Bigcheese Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Joe Joyce has unreal lungs for a huge man. Cardio is mostly earned but there might be some genetics involved and also being relaxed in the ring helps.
     
    Bigcheese, Sep 14, 2021
    Bigcheese, Sep 14, 2021
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  6. The Fighting Yoda

    The Fighting Yoda Active Member Full Member

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    I think alltime greats like Harry Greb (The Pittsburgh Windmill) or Henry Armstrong (Hurricane Henry). To be so successful and to earn such nicknames you simply have to be in an absolutely outstanding condition (and many other fighters weren’t lazy as well).
     
    The Fighting Yoda, Sep 14, 2021
    The Fighting Yoda, Sep 14, 2021
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  7. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    Vito Antuofermo
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    Tiger
     
    robert ungurean, Sep 14, 2021
    robert ungurean, Sep 14, 2021
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  8. Jackstraw

    Jackstraw Mercy for me, justice for thee! Full Member

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    No, Floyd never seemed tired in any of his fights. One of his many great gifts (and I don’t care for the guy) was his ability to fight relaxed, as well as always being in top shape. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he had a great engine; he very economical in his output. That, combined with his other strengths I mentioned give the appearance of superior stamina.
     
    Jackstraw, Sep 14, 2021
    Jackstraw, Sep 14, 2021
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  9. Jackstraw

    Jackstraw Mercy for me, justice for thee! Full Member

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    Jackstraw, Sep 14, 2021
    Jackstraw, Sep 14, 2021
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  10. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

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    Alexis Arguello, Archie Moore, Muhammad Ali in his peak years (1964-1967), there was no Rope A Dope, and Carlos Monzon, (1 pack a day smoker during training), he could go 15 rounds if need be.
     
    Richard M Murrieta, Sep 14, 2021
    Richard M Murrieta, Sep 14, 2021
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  11. Brixton Bomber

    Brixton Bomber Obsessed with Boxing banned Full Member

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    Agreed.

    I'd love to see his cardio/conditioning routine.
     
    Brixton Bomber, Sep 15, 2021
    Brixton Bomber, Sep 15, 2021
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  12. Brixton Bomber

    Brixton Bomber Obsessed with Boxing banned Full Member

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    Manny Pac, Joe Calzaghe & Juan Diaz.

    As far as modern fighters go, these guys are in a league of their own.

    Their workrate & output were unmatched.
     
    Brixton Bomber, Sep 15, 2021
    Brixton Bomber, Sep 15, 2021
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  13. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Henry Armstrong is a clear choice.

    How about Battling Nelson or Terry McGovern?
     
    70sFan865, Sep 15, 2021
    70sFan865, Sep 15, 2021
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  14. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    More than Terry McGovern would probably be George Dixon, for someone with a great workmate late in the fight. (Late as in well past when a modern fight would end)
     
    BitPlayerVesti, Sep 15, 2021
    BitPlayerVesti, Sep 15, 2021
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  15. Tin_Ribs

    Tin_Ribs Me Full Member

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    I'd add Saldivar to that group too, Eddie.
     
    Tin_Ribs, Sep 15, 2021
    Tin_Ribs, Sep 15, 2021
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