The importance of timing gets overlooked vs speed

Froch vs. Groves is a prime example of this, and so is Khan vs. Garcia. Everyone raged on about Groves' handspeed, but how often do you hear people give Froch credit for his timing? Even at 37 years of age, he has a spectacular sense of knowing WHEN to throw.

It's what made the difference against the faster Jermain Taylor
It's what made the difference against the faster Lucien Bute
It's what made the difference against the faster George Groves

Yes, Andre Ward is faster than Froch and beat him, but that was less about speed and more about knowing when to use that speed to his advantage and successfully utilize defense and openings.

 

Carlos Molina vs Lara is an example of great timing beating speed

 

Most on this forum are wowed by speed or power. In a lot of cases a fighter that has one or both of these relies on it to a fault and never develops any other attributes.

Timing, ring generalship, footwork, head movement can all be developed.

 

Forrest vs Mosley is another example

 

GREAT example. Forrest also was excellent at using range and height to his advantage. RIP.

 

Exactly !RIP

 

How would you go on developing ring generalship?

Isn`t it almost the same as footwork.

BTW i totally agree with OP, timing beats speed but the only problem is when timing does catch speed with a good shot, usually by that point, timing has taken quite a beating by then.

 

Ward is class from range and on the inside. That's how he made it look easy to beat Froch. Still think a re-match would be competitive, but no diff result ultimately.

 

Good point. Good timing also takes good vision, a Froch hallmark. Froch has always impressed me with his eye contact with his opponent. He's always looking at what his opponent is doing. Sometimes he looks so hard he looks exposed. But he's the more dangerous one because he looks for openings. Not just throwing speed punches with zero thought.

37? The way he fights he and Hopkins could have a title fight in five years and have the highest combined age for a title fight in boxing history.

 

Kostya Tszyu vs Zab Judah.

It certainly doesn't help that people with speed like to keep their hands low, thinking their reflexes can get them out of every situation. Groves learned that the hard way.

 

Khan lands almost the exact same combo here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG1gBn5Wu70

 

No better example than Marquez vs Pacquiao!

 

Another great example :good

 

Yes, that's a great example as well.

 

I also agree with the OP, It was a great point. I was just pointing out that it is something that gets overlooked. I think Ring generalship is controlling the distance to your advantage and always knowing where you are. You do it with footwork, head movement, punches, feints... but also knowing where your opponent is and is not comfortable. Guerrero vs Berto, Trout vs Cotto are good examples of fighters winning just by owning ring generalship. No one is better at this than Floyd. Just my opinion though