Do you Need to have Boxed to be a Fan?

[JC]

Stick Sir Bobby Robson in that list RIP

Robson was a top flight player though played for England too.

The thing is, unless they are well known superstars who've been at the very top they are thought to know nothing; some of the more astute don't do as well, in a physical sport injuries, timing and luck comes into it.

I just meant the likes of Stein, Shankly, Paisley, Ferguson all played at around the same level, so there is nothing unusual about Robson in that. Mourinho is more unusual in that he had much less of a top flight career than those. Arrigo Sacchi even more so as he never played professional football at all.

[davie]

no you don't Need to have boxed to be a fan. however you should have boxed to be an expert. if you do not have boxed don't Claim you are an expert but a fan and everything is fine.

Brilliantly put

What about if you've had a few scraps outside the pub?

as much as i realise your being sarcastic. it will give an insight in to certain aspects

it wont help you understand what its like entering a packed arena or the pressure of a title fight,
it wont give you any knowledge of the sacrifice involved in a long training camp or the dissapointment of a big fight falling through after weeks of hard work
and it probably wont even teach you how to properly through a hook.

but i've had a few, and i've had a few second prizes in my time.
i'd like to think it at least lets me know what a good punch in the teeth feels like, i've took one on the chin thats wobbled the knees and can empathise when i see it happen in the ring. i've suffered an injury, which is why i laugh every time i hear some one say "he's a coward, he should have fought on with that broken jaw/dislocated shoulder"
i get the feeling of nerves... the butterflies before the first punch is thrown.
i've analysed my performance and where i went wrong when i've ended up with a fatlip or a bloodied nose. and i've been able to identify where i won the odd victory i've had.
i really appreciate just how good an engine you need to throw lots of punches for any length of time.

so no, having a roll around outside the boozer with the guy whos burd you were staring at, doesn't make you a boxing analyst. but i think it might give you a little information you might not be privy to otherwise.

[Grilling Machine]

Depends on the promoter.

I'd pad my record with Slug and Lettuce, and then goad someone famous out of retirement at the Legion.

[palooka]

as much as i realise your being sarcastic. it will give an insight in to certain aspects

it wont help you understand what its like entering a packed arena or the pressure of a title fight,
it wont give you any knowledge of the sacrifice involved in a long training camp or the dissapointment of a big fight falling through after weeks of hard work
and it probably wont even teach you how to properly through a hook.

but i've had a few, and i've had a few second prizes in my time.
i'd like to think it at least lets me know what a good punch in the teeth feels like, i've took one on the chin thats wobbled the knees and can empathise when i see it happen in the ring. i've suffered an injury, which is why i laugh every time i hear some one say "he's a coward, he should have fought on with that broken jaw/dislocated shoulder"
i get the feeling of nerves... the butterflies before the first punch is thrown.
i've analysed my performance and where i went wrong when i've ended up with a fatlip or a bloodied nose. and i've been able to identify where i won the odd victory i've had.
i really appreciate just how good an engine you need to throw lots of punches for any length of time.

so no, having a roll around outside the boozer with the guy whos burd you were staring at, doesn't make you a boxing analyst. but i think it might give you a little information you might not be privy to otherwise.[/quote]

well spotted.

I pretty much agree with you davie.

[davie]

well spotted.

I pretty much agree with you davie.

rolled around outside a few boozers yourself then?

whats your record like?

[palooka]

well spotted.

I pretty much agree with you davie.

rolled around outside a few boozers yourself then?

whats your record like?

Spotty to say the least

[davie]

well spotted.

I pretty much agree with you davie.

rolled around outside a few boozers yourself then?

whats your record like?

Spotty to say the least

i would say there was as many in the L column as there was in the W. Got out before i slid down to journeyman status though.

got to about 23 and people started swinging bottles and glasses. you can't fight that

[hurlock]

God I know how & what needs to be done to win but executing it is another thing!!!

You could have the greatest outlook & understanding but to do it is another thing even with ability.

Easier said then done springs to mind

[tflanagan5]

I think when giving an opinion on anything in boxing being unbias is a better trait to have than an actual boxing experience. If you are unbias your opinion will automatically be better than most peoples views. Take a lot of english fighters for example David Price ,on ringside they made it sound like it was only going to be a formality that he would be world champion soon and wouldnt stop singing his praises, now sinces the loses Glen McClory has been critisicing him picking Adam Booth as his new trainer, when for the rematch they taught Price working with Lennox Lewis was a masterstroke even though he came into that fight with huge stamina problems. There were also people on this forum who i doubt are former world champions who were questioning Prices chin as his been stopped a few times in the amatuers,i never heard them bring that up once on ringside as they were on the bandwagon. I think the main thing people dont understand about boxing is the level of fitness involved, in sunday league football you can be out of shape and dieing with a hangover and still play and be alright, in boxing even when starting off you fitness levels have to be very high or else your in trouble.

[JediKnight]

I think the main thing people dont understand about boxing is the level of fitness involved, in sunday league football you can be out of shape and dieing with a hangover and still play and be alright, in boxing even when starting off you fitness levels have to be very high or else your in trouble.

Your bang on there. I trained 6 times a week doing round and round on the pads, plenty floor exercises and the odd (stamina) weights session but could never get the real miles of road running under my belt. Walked around in shape but when it came to sparring I'd be puffed in 3/4 rounds. My Brother who despite weighing 7/8 st more than me could do a half marathon cross country and keep a pace during a spar on the same day.

You could have a fitness model body and arms as big as a house but nothing can replace the pavement. Pub fighters do weights look big and last about 1 minute in a scrap. Boxing takes something else. You either have it or you don't but your never know unless you try. People who don't try can't be giving Obi Wan speeches in the Pub whilst watching the Main Event through the bottom of Stella Bottle.

[tflanagan5]

I think the main thing people dont understand about boxing is the level of fitness involved, in sunday league football you can be out of shape and dieing with a hangover and still play and be alright, in boxing even when starting off you fitness levels have to be very high or else your in trouble.

Your bang on there. I trained 6 times a week doing round and round on the pads, plenty floor exercises and the odd (stamina) weights session but could never get the real miles of road running under my belt. Walked around in shape but when it came to sparring I'd be puffed in 3/4 rounds. My Brother who despite weighing 7/8 st more than me could do a half marathon cross country and keep a pace during a spar on the same day.

You could have a fitness model body and arms as big as a house but nothing can replace the pavement. Pub fighters do weights look big and last about 1 minute in a scrap. Boxing takes something else. You either have it or you don't but your never know unless you try. People who don't try can't be giving Obi Wan speeches in the Pub whilst watching the Main Event through the bottom of Stella Bottle.

Exactly used to play football at a reasonable level and alway considered myself very fit,then tried boxing in sparing i used to get gased so quickly,i realised that boxing requires a differant level of fitness. Also your brain has to be constantly switched on when boxing ,i think this also makes you tire a lot quicker,in other sports especially team sports theres lot of times when you can be switched off not many sports require you to maintain such an intense focus for 3 minute periods

[mickey1975]

A great comment, mate. A close friend of mine, and a pro rugby player who is one of the fittest guys I have ever met got stopped in a round doing the unlicensed circuit. Everything changes when you get twatted.

[Coco]

Do you need to be a porno star to be a fan of porno movies?
Can you consider yourself a fan of group sex with silicone enhanced beauties if you have only watched the video and never actually participated??

[mickey1975]

Do you need to be a porno star to be a fan of porno movies?
Can you consider yourself a fan of group sex with silicone enhanced beauties if you have only watched the video and never actually participated??

I've no idea, I've done both...

[palooka]

Do you need to be a porno star to be a fan of porno movies?
Can you consider yourself a fan of group sex with silicone enhanced beauties if you have only watched the video and never actually participated??

I've no idea, I've done both...

yeah but that was with blokes

[mickey1975]

Do you need to be a porno star to be a fan of porno movies?
Can you consider yourself a fan of group sex with silicone enhanced beauties if you have only watched the video and never actually participated??

I've no idea, I've done both...

yeah but that was with blokes

Very sharp. Any more and I'll get teddy on the case!

[palooka]

Oh, I've no doubt he'll be lurking with his dictionary and grammar text book, he was prob on the same shoot

[hurlock]

What about critique'ing a chef?? Do you need to know how to cook or just have a good palate ???

[palooka]

I think some people just know it all about everything; if you've at least tried a sport you have an appreciation of how difficult some movements are; with boxing you have the added complication that someone is trying to balls things up for you and crack you in the nose. My little lad saw some people paragliding and said it looks easy - all you have to do is jump off a cliff etc etc, he also thinks hurdling and the gymnastic rings are easy but that's because he's young and hasn't tried them, if he does he'll realise that they are very difficult. I used to train a bit and thought I'd got a good punch until I saw someone who had a really good punch; it's levels and for the most part anyone good enough to get paid to do something knows what they are doing and can do it better than a man in a crowd, that's my view any way.

[mickey1975]

Am I not allowed to compare Home and Away and Neighbours because I have been in neither? Neighbours, all the way.

[Cyclops]

I've trained in Boxing, Muay Thai, Kung Fu, Kickboxing, MMA, BJJ, Vale Tudo, Krav Maga, Control and Restraint, been on training camps in China where we trained 8 hours+ a day. I never had a pro fight, and even though I got to be, say, one of the best in the class at a couple of arts (kung fu and kickboxing) that was down to the level of my training partners really and not a reflection of my ability as I would say I was never brilliant at any of them. It was just a case of keep going, you'll get better, and I stuck some arts out for years. I wouldn't say I have an amazing eye for the sweet science, it's just that I have always been interested in fighting and like to watch a fight. I watch a lot of boxing and you start to get a good idea of who is good and why, especially if you follow certain fighters or use youtube as a reference.

I agree with other posters who get annoyed when you read somebody talking about a fighter and particular fights when they clearly haven't watched them. That said, you can't watch EVERY fight that happens and that's why I value Boxrec, as there are plenty of knowledgeable posters whose opinion I respect, amongst the fanboys and armchair warriors.

I don't think you need to have boxed to be a fan, but you should have a respect for the fighters and sometimes I think that's lacking a little bit. It's the people who haven't fought that are quick to label fighters cowards for instance. That always vexes me.

[lefty]

I've trained in Boxing, Muay Thai, Kung Fu, Kickboxing, MMA, BJJ, Vale Tudo, Krav Maga, Control and Restraint, been on training camps in China where we trained 8 hours+ a day. I never had a pro fight, and even though I got to be, say, one of the best in the class at a couple of arts (kung fu and kickboxing) that was down to the level of my training partners really and not a reflection of my ability as I would say I was never brilliant at any of them. It was just a case of keep going, you'll get better, and I stuck some arts out for years. I wouldn't say I have an amazing eye for the sweet science, it's just that I have always been interested in fighting and like to watch a fight. I watch a lot of boxing and you start to get a good idea of who is good and why, especially if you follow certain fighters or use youtube as a reference.

I agree with other posters who get annoyed when you read somebody talking about a fighter and particular fights when they clearly haven't watched them. That said, you can't watch EVERY fight that happens and that's why I value Boxrec, as there are plenty of knowledgeable posters whose opinion I respect, amongst the fanboys and armchair warriors.

I don't think you need to have boxed to be a fan, but you should have a respect for the fighters and sometimes I think that's lacking a little bit. It's the people who haven't fought that are quick to label fighters cowards for instance. That always vexes me.

Bloody hell you were busy ay!

[Cyclops]

I've trained in Boxing, Muay Thai, Kung Fu, Kickboxing, MMA, BJJ, Vale Tudo, Krav Maga, Control and Restraint, been on training camps in China where we trained 8 hours+ a day. I never had a pro fight, and even though I got to be, say, one of the best in the class at a couple of arts (kung fu and kickboxing) that was down to the level of my training partners really and not a reflection of my ability as I would say I was never brilliant at any of them. It was just a case of keep going, you'll get better, and I stuck some arts out for years. I wouldn't say I have an amazing eye for the sweet science, it's just that I have always been interested in fighting and like to watch a fight. I watch a lot of boxing and you start to get a good idea of who is good and why, especially if you follow certain fighters or use youtube as a reference.

I agree with other posters who get annoyed when you read somebody talking about a fighter and particular fights when they clearly haven't watched them. That said, you can't watch EVERY fight that happens and that's why I value Boxrec, as there are plenty of knowledgeable posters whose opinion I respect, amongst the fanboys and armchair warriors.

I don't think you need to have boxed to be a fan, but you should have a respect for the fighters and sometimes I think that's lacking a little bit. It's the people who haven't fought that are quick to label fighters cowards for instance. That always vexes me.

Bloody hell you were busy ay!

I will go to my grave knowing that I have had an interesting life! I was boxing at 15, I'm 32 now. That's 17 years and you can fit a lot in in that time

[lefty]

I've trained in Boxing, Muay Thai, Kung Fu, Kickboxing, MMA, BJJ, Vale Tudo, Krav Maga, Control and Restraint, been on training camps in China where we trained 8 hours+ a day. I never had a pro fight, and even though I got to be, say, one of the best in the class at a couple of arts (kung fu and kickboxing) that was down to the level of my training partners really and not a reflection of my ability as I would say I was never brilliant at any of them. It was just a case of keep going, you'll get better, and I stuck some arts out for years. I wouldn't say I have an amazing eye for the sweet science, it's just that I have always been interested in fighting and like to watch a fight. I watch a lot of boxing and you start to get a good idea of who is good and why, especially if you follow certain fighters or use youtube as a reference.

I agree with other posters who get annoyed when you read somebody talking about a fighter and particular fights when they clearly haven't watched them. That said, you can't watch EVERY fight that happens and that's why I value Boxrec, as there are plenty of knowledgeable posters whose opinion I respect, amongst the fanboys and armchair warriors.

I don't think you need to have boxed to be a fan, but you should have a respect for the fighters and sometimes I think that's lacking a little bit. It's the people who haven't fought that are quick to label fighters cowards for instance. That always vexes me.

Bloody hell you were busy ay!

I will go to my grave knowing that I have had an interesting life! I was boxing at 15, I'm 32 now. That's 17 years and you can fit a lot in in that time

What were the training camps in China for? Kung fu?

[Cyclops]

Yeah. We trained alongside the Chinese Sanda first team. They offered us to get in the ring with them but our UK instructors politely asked us not to do it. They said, go for it if you want, but if they beat you up we're in rural China and there won't be any great hospitals near here and it could spoil the trip for everyone. There was a mythological story going round that a Dutch kickboxing champion had flown out and challenged their best guy, and had to be helicoptered out with a broken jaw. Once they said that, nobody was too keen to step up to the plate. They looked really hard. Their toes were all fucked up and broken. The heavy bags felt like they were full of concrete: I couldn't kick them in bare feet it hurt too much! We watched them spar and if they fucked up, their instructor smacked a couple of those lads really hard!

One of my favorite memories ever is playing five a side against those guys. I couldn't believe it was real. They beat us something like 18-3

They were training a massive guy out there, he wasn't sparring on the team. He was anywhere between 6'8" and 7' I couldn't be sure. They had him lifting massive weights and we were just standing there watching him in awe. Dunno what he made of us. I looked out for him at the last couple of Olympics, as I guess they were grooming him for something, but have never seen him. Be interested to know what happened to him. Biggest guy I ever saw in my life, I think.