Fighters you would have liked to become trainers

I’m sure these guys will eventually do well. Too many born fighters in California and Texas not to. Plus their experiences navigating the shark infested cesspool of professional boxing should give their fighters a slight advantage in their own careers, assuming they’re smart enough to listen to these guys.

 

I don't think this would be the reason. I believe Hopkins would expect his fighters to be as dedicated and disaplined as he was. Regarding his diet for example. He was uncommon even as champions go.

I can picture him being disgusted with a boxer who fluctuates in weight between fightd and doesn't keep working to improve

 

And the temperament/enthusiasm would be the single variable that would keep him from being a great trainer. When he's on, he's exceptional - D'Amato and Jacobs ensured he had a first-rate education in boxing history: strengths, weaknesses and tactics of generations of fighters.

There was a miniseries, "Being Mike Tyson" on Fox Sports a few years back. One of the segments was Tyson and Holyfield - now buddies - going to watch Evander's son fight in the Golden Gloves. When the bout started, it was like someone flicked a switch in Tyson; I'd never seen that side of him. He was yelling encouragement and coaching the kid like he was on fire - happy, joyful, glad in the moment. He said later he loved the amateurs, the purest form of boxing. What a potential talent he has to be tapped - but he has to want it, and be willing to endure the grind it entails. I'm not sure if he's up to the long haul.

 

Herol Graham