The new generation of American fighters are in large part SOFT

I try not to let generalizations cloud my thinking and I want to emphasize that Americans will always produce world class fighters who deserve praise. But this has been on my mind for the past 2 years as HBO and Showtime have attempted to build up new American stars.

When looking at the new crop of American fighters, many are soft, both in terms of style and mental fortitude. IMO it all comes from a combination of the declining American amateur system, which seems to emphasize overly defensive point fighting (lots of clinching and generally being negative) + being mentally weak in the ring which comes from being overprotected while at the same time being pampered by promoters/HBO.

Peterson brothers: both shown mental lapses as they faced their first tests. Anthony quit this year and while Lamont has shown some grit he can't seem to hold down a game plan.

V.Ortiz: Quit in his first test, never been the same since

Berto: Arguably most overprotected champ (chump) in boxing, who knows how he would react if he ever fights anyone high level.

Chambers: If he does actually bother to get in shape it doesn't matter because he freeze's up in the ring.

Alexander: Overly negative and defensive, quit last night.

Dirrell: Negative fighter, complains constantly and arguably quit twice last year in and out of the ring.

Arreola: Tough guy but it's all negated because he doesn't bother to train...also cries like a ***** after losing (but I won't hold that against him)

Dawson: Talented but doesn't want to pull the trigger.

Jacobs: Not saying he is soft but he got folded in his first test after facing nobodies in 20 or so fights.

Andre Ward: I'm only including him to make a point about the negative style that is seemingly shaping a lot of these fighters coming out of the US amateur system. A p4p fighter who is mentally tough but fights dirty and negatively more so then most fighters in the sport. He doesn't get the same pass as someone like Hopkins gets today because he has yet to reach that HOF level (he might in the future).

Like I said, America will always produce P4P fighters and there are fighters from this generation (Williams, Donaire, Bradley and some others) who show mental toughness and general professionalism and I can appreciate and even love defensive fighters/counter punchers, however what Dirrel, Alexander and even what Ward do is illegal fighting. I think that the American system needs a shake up and that the TV networks needs to stop building up these guys as future stars when they haven't proven anything.

 

If I was American Id be slightly worried as a whole generation of great fighters - Floyd, Mosley, Hopkins, RJJ, Winky, etc near the end of their careers. In my opinion Andre Ward is the best up and coming American by some distance. Bradley is also good, but Im not sure the likes of Alexander, Berto and Dirrell (if he comes back!) are really up to much. But then we dont see a lot of American boxing over here, perhaps there are more on the way through?

 

I don't know about that. The guys on my list make up what...70% of the new crop? There will always be a few standouts, but there are serious problems with the American system which historically has been much better.

The only way to change is #1 harder matchmaking before giving out million dollar paydays and #2 changing up the amateur system/coaching.

 

The problem is that the best of the best are routinely identified young and pampered before they realize that being a great prospect is just step one of the journey. Nobody wants to risk their cash cows once they've been identified and invested in and so we get to this weird place where our most naturally talented fighters simultaneously seem to be our least tested, least seasoned, and/or mentally weakest in the ring with the least ability to adjust when things don't go their way. And they can still make a good living off of that for the most part, which makes it tough to convince them or their camps it's a problem.

All the while, they're being puffed up by people close to them as being the next Hagler, Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, etc.

This is a broad generalization and there are exceptions to this, but for every Floyd Mayweather who talks a big game but put in the time and education in the sport to get there, there's alot of guys who have physical talent but don't learn how to actually box against higher level fighters who fight back.

 

spoiled playstation mcdonald generation

 

you had a point till you mentioned ward, ****off with that tbh

 

I'll also add that it doesn't help that the first time they learn about their shortcomings, it's usually on a national stage where they'll then get a lot of backlash because of the hype fans are exposed to on their way up.

It really diminishes the chance to learn from a loss or bad performance if you never have one until you're fighting on HBO/Showtime because by then, it's routinely too late to actually implement the changes that have to get made.

Take Devon Alexander, for example. He's 23 and doesn't have but a couple dozen pro fights, so the first impression is that it'll be easy for him to grow and change. But the kid's got 300+ amateur fights....how much can he really change in one or two fight camps when HBO's going to be pressing him to get in with Maidana next? From a career standpoint, he ability to grow and learn from a loss/bad performance is one that needs to happen earlier on, not when they're already forced to the top. But that winds up playing second fiddle to the dollars involved.

 

Yes and yes....

Alexander quit last night because he wasn't ready for this fight and because he knows that he has a guaranteed million + payday from HBO. In a way you can't hate the fighters for taking advantage of a broken system but it stinks for the fans.

If I were HBO/Showtime I would do this:

Have much lower paydays for young fighters but give huge incentives for fighting top opposition 3-4 (or more) a year, the more you fight the bigger the bonus gets (as long as you fight quality opposition only). This way the fighters can prove themselves and earn their money. Those that refuse to participate (B-E-R-T-O) can try to swindle their huge paydays from somewhere else and we all know that HBO and Showtime are the only ones paying these guys.

 

You don't see a trend for Ward's style with Dirrel and Alexander?

They all fight dirty and it's not only illegal but not entertaining. Ward rises above these guys because he isn't soft, in fact he is more mentally strong then most. But this style was drilled into him by his ama coaches. Nothing 'slick' about clutching/holding/elbows.

 

best post i've read today, american boxing is in the gutter, it stinks. hbo and ring comic need to quit the brainwashing delusion, even americans are gonna see through this over-hyping eventually :dead

 

But they have good chins apparently

 

Kirkland has the heart of a Mexican... are we sure he isn't mixed or something

lol


I think it has to do with the way they were raised, most warriors come from very bad poverty and bad circumstances and work there way up and keep the balls of steel living in those conditions.

I think this comes down to Nature vs Nurture.

 

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Good work

 

so much for these so called "elite african american" fighters...

they're just either pussies, runners or quitters...lol