...for top fighters preparing for big bouts. Security locks-down the gym for Pac. Realistically, how much would it help opponents watching Mayweather?
Depends on the opponent a fighter is preparing for. Sparring is extremely important to test out different or completely new tactics/maneuvers/punches/stances and how they would be punished for misusing them. It's also the perfect training session to test out new counters against different style of punches. Sparring becomes almost useless when training for guys like Mayweather or Whitaker. You will never be able to find any fighter that could imitate those guys even for one minute. However, sparring is still used regardless because it's still important to try out what you learn and see how harsh the punishment for screwing up would be literally in the face.
Yes there is. To possibly figure out injuries, certain tactics he might be focusing on and so forth. Yes, Mayweather will adapt but still gives the opponent an advantage and against someone like Mayweather any advantage is useful. No idea really, I didn't notice it till you just mentioned it. Maybe because I mostly participate in the General Boxing Forum and barely posted much in the deceased Lounge.
Well watching a fighter that only uses let's say 1 gameplan and can't think much for himself then yes it's VERY benefical. Some fighter have ring smarts and they adapt alot inside the ring and therefore it's harder to scout/watch that fighter since what you saw maybe was an adaptation of what was infront of the figter you wanted to scout. I know that sentence was really long but hey, I got my point across.
They have not always been off limits, For Pacquiao I can honestly say that it wasnt until after the Morales loss and the 1st Marquez draw that Roach decided to lock up the gym not only for sparring but for his training as well. Allot of times you could go into any gym and watch them spar they do have open sparring. it cant help for an opponent to watch Mayweather sparring I believe I mean you do get a look at what he is working on his sparring partners likely have worked with him for a while so they know how to get to Floyd it would be a great advantage for someone to have a member of their camp getting a close up look
Mayweather doesnt allow sparring to be viewed to the public, not because of tactics. The real reason is that he was so embarrassed after Spadafora whipped him all over the ring that he closes the doors now !!
There's a few reasons. It could become a distraction or stop the best work from being done, and there's also the risk of tampering. Even if the odds of drawbacks are small, trainers probably view it as more trouble than it's worth.
I always thought it was due to concentration and getting your fighter's full attention at all times. You can't be yourself around a crowd when training. Also it seems that watching a fighter's previous fights would benefit just as much if not more than any sparring videos would.
