Sometimes I watch a fight on TV and the announcers are concentrated on boxing skills but that doesn't seem to be the key factor. For example, 2 fighters start out in the first round and seem to have equivalent conditioning, speed, size, skills. But, as the rounds go on, one fighter starts to take control of the fight. The announcers often seem to attribute this to the skill of the fighter taking control and point out things such as going to the body or a good jab, or whatever. But, often it seems to me that one guy is simply physically superior to the other guy and as his superiority comes into play he is able to do things to the lessor guy that he couldn't do in the first round. In other words, it isn't a matter of skill, it is physcial superiority. And, I am talking about fighters that seem about the same in round 1.
I know I haven't described this very well and I hope a more knowledgeable boxing fan/expert/trainer/announcer can improve on my topic.
But, here are some examples of things other than skills:
Muhammad Ali - it seemed to me that he had an enormous ability to take a punch and absorb punishment. How many could have had George Foreman pound on them for 8 rounds and then still be able to jump off the ropes and throw combinations.
Arthuro Gatti - also an unusual ability to take a punch and absorb punishment and stamina as well. How many could take the beatings he took and then end up on top.
OK, I am hitting the limits of my knowledge and hope others will help out. But, Rocky Marciano, from what I have read, incredible stamina and ability to retain knockout power in the later rounds.
So, the question is, what fighters had special physical characteristics that allowed them to succeed even when matched against fighters with equivalent skill and what were the special physical characteristics?
Beyond skill
re
Ali didn't do much boxing at all in Zaire...he took everything that Foreman had to offer like a punching bag for eight rounds, which was one hell of a body assault that I doubt many others could take, and he took it until Foreman was completely out of gas and then Ali danced around and landed a couple of light punches that helped to fall the exhausted Foreman who was too tired to get back up...Foreman really beat himself in that bout...it wasn't the dazzling boxing of Ali, but his ability to take it that allowed him to win that fight!
Re: re
[quote="Decagon"][quote="barry"]What was the final scores of the judges?[/quote]
Shit, I just read them a few months ago, but Ali was way ahead.[/quote]
Please get off Muhammand Ali:Foreman fight and back on topic.
What fighters had special physical skills and what were they?
Shit, I just read them a few months ago, but Ali was way ahead.[/quote]
Please get off Muhammand Ali:Foreman fight and back on topic.
What fighters had special physical skills and what were they?
Anyone who can really take a punch has the chance to come back. It's partly psychological. Boxer A think he has the fight won. he's been pounding on his opponent for a few rounds and it seems like just a matter of time. Then boxer B starts to have some success and slowly the other guy just wilts because he thought he had the fight won.
It's not just boxing but most sports are like this. If you dominate without actually finishing your opponent off there's always that chance that the tables will be turned.
It's not just boxing but most sports are like this. If you dominate without actually finishing your opponent off there's always that chance that the tables will be turned.
Tiger Moth ... I'm not sure if this pertains to what you're looking for or not. But the fight your opening post made me think of was the James "Spider" Webb vs. Jose Celaya fight from earlier this year.
Skillwise, I wouldn't consider Webb a better fighter. He gets hit with everything and most of his punches are thrown off balance, rushing in, his feet in the wrong place, etc. But physically he's one of the strongest and fittest guys I've ever seen. Dude's got endless energy, heart and toughness, very similar in that way to Gatti or Ward ...
And that's how he basically outhustled and outmuscled the better skilled, but physically inferior and weaker-chinned Celaya.
Skillwise, I wouldn't consider Webb a better fighter. He gets hit with everything and most of his punches are thrown off balance, rushing in, his feet in the wrong place, etc. But physically he's one of the strongest and fittest guys I've ever seen. Dude's got endless energy, heart and toughness, very similar in that way to Gatti or Ward ...
And that's how he basically outhustled and outmuscled the better skilled, but physically inferior and weaker-chinned Celaya.
Decagon, Ali did beat Foreman in rds in Zaire, but to say he boxed the head off him is stretching it a bit. Ali took more punishment over them 8rds than nost fighters take in a career....I'm not saying every shot George threw landed, but Ali was 'pissing' blood for 2 wks after Zaire...That really says it all. I agree 100% with the original post, what really separates two great fighters is that extra conditioning and inner strength, Leonard V Hearns, Hagler V Mugabi, Hatton V Tsyzy etc....although some come down to age, the young fighters are usually better conditioned, it's nature really
Ali withstood some terrific punches during the rumble in the jungle, BUT he closed out almost every round with some wicked counters to Foreman's head that very clearly were doing more damage. Just watch Foreman stagger to his dressing room after the bout and it's quite visable that he got the hell beat out of him.