Do you think prison time helps or hinders a boxers career?

Jedi Knight · Post by **Jedi Knight** » 18 Sep 2004, 13:47

Sounds like a silly question but just think of the environment in prison compared to normal life.

In prison the boxer has a controlled diet, is not allowed to eat shit and can train as often as he likes.

Alternatively...

The boxer has no discipline or guidance from his trainer, although his diet is sensible it may not be right for a boxer. Prison facilities are not exactly the Kronk gym.

Obviously it depends on the length of the stretch. For instance, prison time didn't do Hopkins or Toney's careers much harm but then again you could mention Ibeabuchi, Bowe & possibly a factor in the decline of Tyson.

I personally think that prison time is no good for any athlete apart from maybe rehabilitation from a phsychological perspective...?

Don't know, is this a no brainer or is there a grey area here?

beduff · Post by **beduff** » 18 Sep 2004, 14:07

all depends on the person.

adamiw · Post by **adamiw** » 18 Sep 2004, 14:45

depends on the person and the experience they had...and the time. It certainly didn't help Tyson...but there are plenty of examples of guys who it has helped.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 19 Sep 2004, 03:39

Yeah. If they are 21, had 3 fights and get 15 years in jail it wouldn't help them. I suppose there's a case for an experienced guy who gets 6 months it might help, but I don't think we should be advocating people going to jail.

maverick · Post by **maverick** » 19 Sep 2004, 12:09

It’s a moot question really as no direct correlation can be made between a term in prison and whether or not it helps or hinders ones ability to box. As others have suggested, it’s down to the individual, their mental strength, drive and their level of skills. You mentioned Bernard Jedi Knight, he is an exceptional man in my view who had the foresight and determination to turn his life around; that had nothing to do with the diet he received in the can or hours he could train. Prison could however, have been the jolt he needed to take control of his life but I’m only guessing. The fact his bro was killed and he knew that it could easily have been him had a huge impact; already more variables at play. “Boxing is a poor mans hustle”, Hopkins stated, so it stands to reason that many incarcerated individuals, who predominantly come out of the poverty trap, also choose to box but I’d certainly resist making generalised statements about the beneficial impact a term inside might have on their athletic prowess.

Jedi Knight · Post by **Jedi Knight** » 19 Sep 2004, 14:55

maverick wrote:It’s a moot question really as no direct correlation can be made between a term in prison and whether or not it helps or hinders ones ability to box. As others have suggested, it’s down to the individual, their mental strength, drive and their level of skills. You mentioned Bernard Jedi Knight, he is an exceptional man in my view who had the foresight and determination to turn his life around; that had nothing to do with the diet he received in the can or hours he could train. Prison could however, have been the jolt he needed to take control of his life but I’m only guessing. The fact his bro was killed and he knew that it could easily have been him had a huge impact; already more variables at play. “Boxing is a poor mans hustle”, Hopkins stated, so it stands to reason that many incarcerated individuals, who predominantly come out of the poverty trap, also choose to box but I’d certainly resist making generalised statements about the beneficial impact a term inside might have on their athletic prowess.

Good post.

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 20 Sep 2004, 06:42

Had a friend who was british title challenger a few years back, got locked up for four year and decided to train especially hard to come back upon his release. All throughout the sentance training was going great, no shortage of sparring partners & hours in the "gym". Upon his release he realised that he hadnt been doing enough roadwork, his sparring partners were great if you like'd sparring with nothing more than amateur boxers, over the 4 years he became accustomed to the slack training, he was no longer sparring the likes of robin reid or running 10miles before breakfast, instead he could pretty much dominate the guys in there and never really had to get out of third gear to do so. His third gear was suudenly his fourth gear, fifth gear had gone. He was released made one comeback fight then hung up the gloves, he trains pre-pro's now with the hope of opening a pro gym in North Wales.

So my point, it may work for some in the US but I dont believe there is enough pros in the uk to go away and get decent sparring / training.

Oy of interest which british boxers were put away for a couple of years then came back better or went on to do great things?

don't call it a comeback · Post by **don't call it a comeback** » 20 Sep 2004, 07:11

By definition, any mature boxer that gets sent to jail has issues in his life that mean tracing his decline as boxer to either prison or the instability that got him sent there is difficult.

I think its accepted that once a boxer gets past his mid twenties, anything more than a few months in the slammer will have a terminal effect on his career. There are plenty of examples of this.

On the other hand there are plenty of examples of fighters who were incarcerated in their youth or early twenties who have gone on to do well - often using their prison time as a positive motivator.

Prison can provide adequate training for an amateur or early professional fighter but not for a contender.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 21 Sep 2004, 03:46

if your in for a short sentance it may not hinder, maybe 1 to 2 years.

you can still do some of your training, press ups, sit ups, chin ups. things you can do in the cell.

the food is mostly high carb stuff, makes you sleepy, loads of potatoes, pasties , pies that sort of thing so not ideal, you get fruit, but its not the gourme food your lead to believe by the press.

it also depends what type of prison your in, one can be exercise for 1 hour a day, maybe 2, you can go to the gym, most don't have a punchbag, and sparring if they have a punchbag isn't allowed.

in an open prison you can get alot more training done, as you have alot more free time. and you can get roadwork down as well.

all in all i don't think it helps to be in prison, yes you don't have the temptations that you do on the outside. but it doesn't do your mind any good to be locked up for 20 odd hours a day.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 21 Sep 2004, 07:46

Of course it hinders! Ha ha.

lilpyrodemon · Post by **lilpyrodemon** » 21 Sep 2004, 17:58

the person determines how they handle the situation. However, IMHO, it hinders the boxer. Yes they can work out, maybe spar a bit...but they will not be sparring or fighting the caliber of skill they need or are.

Manos de Oro · Post by **Manos de Oro** » 21 Sep 2004, 18:28

Can 'help' mentally and physically; good example for what it can do for boxing skill, Wales. Seeing action in the army is also good mental/physical preparation, as all great champions are sadists.