I know, it's like saying the water is wet, but... when some people will start bringing size, strength, power, speed as the most important assets in boxing, just show them Usyk vs AJ fight and Fury vs Wilder trilogy
A good boxing brain is crucial either that or a an exceptional corner that can do the thinking for you and if you have both you're basically going into a knife fight with an AK47. Usyk's brilliance has been clear from the start, his skills are just superb, his ability to dissect his opponents and take away their strengths is masterful. Fury was less so, he was quite honestly pretty awful when he turned pro, lazy, out of shape, should of lost to McDermott and even struggled a bit vs a Chisora first time who seemed to confused boxing with competitive eating for that fight. But despite his poor discipline, he had one exceptional thing about him apart from size and that's a great boxing brain. You watch his early fights and you watch him now it's crazy how he's evolved as a fighter and become this very good all round fighter, outside, inside, orthodox, southpaw, front foot, back foot, technical and also physical, he's the full package in terms of learned skills. AJ isn't terrible in terms of boxing IQ, above average, he's clearly progressed as a fighter, become better over time. But he's got a glass ceiling even his physical abilities can't over come. Wilder in contrast is all talent and no brain. His greatest example of ring IQ is basically, be patient lose round after round, avoid being KO'ed, wait til they tire and then KO them.
If in your childhood fighting was not frowned on by your adults & was way of life a fight is nothing. Boxing is no different , when you get knocked down you dont feel panic/confusion like AJ & at time Vlad showed you just control your breathing,slow everything in your mind down & adapt & change...no biggie. But manufactured fighters have never had do this on the street so panic...
