Some fighters burn themselves out because of their gas tanks, they throw too much, fight too hard, and leave openings because they overcommit. If they had slightly worse stamina and were forced to slow down naturally, they might’ve been more efficient and smarter in fights. Who comes to mind? Maybe Aaron Pryor? Maybe Pacquiao at certain points? Anyone else?
Interesting thread. Possibly Pacquaio. Bit of a roque one but I think Kownacki might have had a better career if he wasn't so reliant on both his chin, output and stamina. Had a steep downfall after his wars and the knockout loss to Helenius.
Good shout on Kownacki, that’s actually a great example. He had the workrate and toughness to overwhelm guys for a while, but he was never defensively tight, never managed the pace of his fights smartly. He basically relied on overwhelming volume without much thought for efficiency or preservation and once his chin cracked, it all fell apart fast. If he’d naturally fought at a slightly slower, more controlled pace, picking shots instead of just walking into wars, he probably could’ve extended his prime by a few years. His decline was brutal but honestly predictable based on how much punishment he took round after round.
Yeah, Pryor’s a great example because his whole style was built around having that endless engine. If Pryor had bad stamina, his style wouldn’t just "adjust", it would collapse. He wasn’t a slick outside boxer who could coast or pick spots. He overwhelmed guys with pressure, angles, non-stop punches and wore them down mentally and physically. Without that engine, he’s a wild, reckless fighter who gets clipped walking in. He needed his gas tank to make his chaos style work, take that away and you’re left with someone way easier to time, hurt and control.
