For the CLASSIC forum - How to be P4P #1

... you'd have a disadvantage without the requisite amateur experience. While it is true that some guys have a style better suited for the pros (like me), and in some ways it is a different sport altogether, amateur fighting teaches critical things like composure, focusing, dealing with the pressure of the spotlight, and is the foundation of every ring general.

To become the p4p king, a boxer would first have to have the right mentality:

1. A passion for boxing, for battle. That really means a passion for training. It's almost like being a mafioso. Before family, before country, before anything comes boxing. "Oh, you got me a hot date with Bubble-Butt Betty? F*ck you, I gotta do road work. Oh, you want to offer me a 50 bag of weed for free because training camp hasn't opened yet? F*ck you, training camp is always opened in my cranium, which I want clear and cannibas-free."

2. A strong determination to excel that transcends $$$ and is about legacy. Fight for greatness.

3. A lionheart that is willing to take on ...just about... all comers. More on this below.

4. Write the following statements on your heart: "Without pressure there is no progress" (Frederick Douglass). "The path to greatness is the path of suffering. Without pain, without sacrifice, without suffering there will be no glory" (Stonehands).

Then there are the practical considerations:

1. You will need the kind of style that is designed not only to help you deal with most guys, but that also helps your body hold up over time. Don't be a swarmer or pressure fighter. Forget being just a puncher. These guys don't last. Be a defensively-skilled boxer-puncher. Then you'll last. It takes time to get to the mountaintop and if you fade by 30 the chances are damn good that your legacy won't be worthy of Archie Moore's jockstrap.

* learn how to relax. None of the elite pugilists were tense. They fought with fluidity, like water -not a rock. Even Marciano could slip and slide under punches.

2. Fight almost all comers. But don't be overconfident and actually willing to fight everyone. Sell the wolf tickets but take care to avoid the fights were the costs outweight the benefits. Marvin didn't fight Mike McCallum not becuase he was afraid, but because he wasn't stupid. It wasn't worth it at the time -not with Hearns and Leonard waiting on the wings. If the public demanded that Marvin fight McCallum, he would have, and would have achieved the glory contingent in that win. Take notes from but don't be quite like Ray Leonard, who doubled as a politician. Whatever you do, don't be like Roy Jones who squandered great talent by avoiding dangerous guys. I and many others still don't know if Roy was definitively "great" because he fought serious great challengers twice in his career.

Consider instead Ray Robinson who did avoid guys like Charlie Burley but who fought so often and against so many name guys that his reluctance is forgotten. Roy Jones will always be Reluctant Roy to most insiders. No one calls Sugar, Ray Reluctant Ray. And if anyone does, slap them.

3. Take your time and develop -especially without amateur experience. Begin by fighting 20 nonthreats who show you different things -a southpaw, a body puncher, a faded journeyman or 10, a defensive specialist, a (slow) puncher, etc... and then step it up gradually.

4. This you cannot help, but come along in a deep era. If you beat all comers, but the contenders and champions among them have names like "Glass Joe" and "Tomato Ken" and "Canvas-back" and "Ten Count" then content yourself with being a janitor and sweeping refuse from the sport. At least you'll be dominant. No glory for you though.

5. Take a page from Gene Tunney and understand the importance of strategy. Watch films and see weaknesses and patterns. All human beings have points of vulnerability -be it bad habits or fragile psyches. While your at it read Sun Tsu's "Art of War" and Musashi's "The Book of Five Rings". The boxer has much in common with generals and samurai.

6. Get religion. I'm serious. Boxing is humbling and scary and dangerous. Religion gives you perspective and forces you to always be mindful of managing yourself right, of your limitations as a human being, and it gives you at least the impression that you have the divine protecting you and giving you a boost when you need it. Self-belief is great and necessary, but there always comes a time when you realize that all considered, you ain't ****. You're fragile, you could die at any moment or in your sleep, you're only dust and ashes. Rely on something bigger and your mentality will be stronger too. It isn't an accident that most fighters in history pray before a fight and publically give thanks after it is over.

...

 

Interesting and very true Stonehands. Especially the part about religion.
Here's another qoute for you.
"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender."
-Vince Lombardi

 

Thank you and Lombardi had many great quotes didn't he.... that one reminds me of one who's source I cannot recall but it went something like this:

"Sweat more in training and you'll bleed less in battle."

 

Just wondering stonehands u recommended a book to me and i forgot what it was called. It had the word "cornermen" in the title. I'm going to the bookstore tomorrow so if you could tell me the title it would be appreciated.

 

It's called "Corner Men" by Ronald Fried. It is tough to find, though. You'd be better off checking amazon or ebay. Out of the books that are available in the boxing section, The recent biography of Tunney is out in paperback. I thought it was excellent.