Psychological Warfare

[Thomastearns]

Hopefully we will soon see boxing's leading exponent of psychological warfare in action facing Deontay Wilder. Fury follows in the footsteps of Ali, Tyson, and that other legendary boxer Connor McGregor.

The big question is, "Does it actually work?" As far as promotion goes, it obviously does as Mayweather recently proved time and time again. Obvious theatrical 'fake beef' between boxers generates publicity and sells tickets no doubt.

The exceptions to crude psychological tricks seem to be fighters like the Klitschko's Pacquiao, Joshua, Parker who operate on a far more subtle level. They will often quietly target a perceived weakness in the opponent and play upon it. Or do nothing at all.

My guess is that they also have plenty of self confidence and don't need to resort to bombast in order to quell any psychological doubts with constant self reassurances as we sometimes have seen. Mike Tyson sometimes spoke about his fears beforehand almost as if they were a case of stage fright.

As to whether psychology actually gains you any advantage inside the ring I would say it does. Especially when the opposition has some psychological weak spot as we saw in Ali v Foreman, Ali v Liston, Tyson v Frazier, Tyson v Spinks, and numerous other times. On the other hand misplaced tactics/insults can actually provoke a better than average performance from some boxers. In those cases it's probably best to smile and say as little as possible beforehand AJ style.

Psychology can also be a useful tool for trainers, managers, entourages etc. but obviously it can only do so much - as Angel Garcia can testify. How much exactly must depend upon how impressionable the boxers are, and how much potential they have.

Certain boxers like Gerry Cooney, George Groves and David Price seem to struggle to fulfill their potentials. Don Curry looked legendary before his confidence took a hit against the rough and tumble of Lloyd Honeyghan.

Wladimir Klitschko's performance against Fury is also difficult to explain in any other terms, (unless of course, pause for laughter, Fury really is the greatest Heavyweight of all time!). It seems as if Fury got to him at precisely the right moment.

So far with 7 weeks left nothing suggests that Deontay Wilder is the least bit fazed by antics of the Fury camp. All of Fury's remarks targeting Wilder's lack of weight, lack of credible opposition etc have just bounced off him and so far have had only theatrical value.

Wilder's best return so far may have to been to draw attention to the no doubt painful split in the Fury camp. In fact I suspect that Fury is more liable to sustain pre-fight damage if Wilder chooses his words carefully.

Anyway, it should be interesting to see what more pre-fight pressure the Fury camp can bring in the time they have left.

[dave_81]

it can work if the opponent is sensitive to it , but like you said it can also backfire (see mcgregor last wekend)
i do not think wilder is taking the bait in this case btw

[DrDuke]

Fury's style of talking shite isn't absolutely usual. Of course, it's highly influenced by Ali, but I won't say, that it's similar to Tyson's one. Tyson was just talking like a thug from the streets, whom he had actually been. I also don't see influences from McGregor, cause it was actually vice versa, Fury was talking like that before anyone knew McGregor.

So, Fury's style is influenced by Ali, but still his words go a bit other way. Just like in the ring he's pretty unpredictable with his tongue. I doubt, that he got under Wlad's skin. Klitschko was smart, he couldn't be frustrated by such things. But suddenly that's why it all worked. Wlad was probably taking Fury as a complete clown, he didn't listen to him, he just thought, how easy that night would be. But Fury appeared to be real deal in the ring, while Wlad had no plan B.

With Wilder it's another situation. They both know, what is all pre-fight talk about. Their mutual hatred is obviously staged. But I suppose, Wilder still can be frustrated, however, not because of the possibility of Fury getting under Wilder's skin with his words, but probably because of the fact of Fury becoming the center figure of the show. Wilder can get frustrated and desperately try to steal the show in the ring.

Overall I think that psychological warfare is becoming old. Generally I'm not against it, because it can make pre-fight interviews more entertaining. All those pre-fight questions-answers are always identical. Psychological warfare brings diversity there. But the smack talk also has its patterns, so often it becomes not so entertaining.

[KiwiRider]

Photos later in the day of Wilder and Fury after their kerfuffle showed both were fine in each other's company.
Both are masters of self promotion.
There is nothing to it with these two.
They are getting bums in seats.

[Thomastearns]

Photos later in the day of Wilder and Fury after their kerfuffle showed both were fine in each other's company.
Both are masters of self promotion.
There is nothing to it with these two.
They are getting bums in seats.

I'm hoping that Wilder forgets the cordiality fight night. I refuse to believe that Fury would take a dive.

Will the fight itself be 1/10th as entertaining as the build up? So many questions with these two..

[KiwiRider]

Photos later in the day of Wilder and Fury after their kerfuffle showed both were fine in each other's company.
Both are masters of self promotion.
There is nothing to it with these two.
They are getting bums in seats.

I'm hoping that Wilder forgets the cordiality fight night. I refuse to believe that Fury would take a dive.

Will the fight itself be 1/10th as entertaining as the build up? So many questions with these two..

I don't really know if it will be entertaining or not. I can still remember the Klitchco fight- it seems the casual boxing fans cant-a masterclass in negative boxing and a snoozefest for a HW title fight.
Then again, Huggie fought negatively against Parker, then did an awesome job on Sexton.
All I can say is there better be a half dexent undercard- or I wwill be saving my $$$

[lazboy]

No doubt psychological warefares plays a part of boxing. However in the case of Fury Wilder I feel like Fury attempts at undermining Wilder...constantly...are more indicative of a lack of confidence on his part. Why does he feel the need to make Wilder doubt himself etc, why doesn’t he want to face the best Wilder because presumably Fury feels he’s the best fighter in the world and or ever. What happen when he fails to intimidate Wilder.

I’ve just watched the Wilder Fury face off and it’s my conclusion that Fury has adopted the role of bully and it’s not working. This is a different and unlikeable Fury to what I have seen, I think he’s vulnerable given he’s reliance on undermining Wilder.

[jamamb]

fury has always talked a sh!t load, you think this is new for him? cant say i agree

[lazboy]

fury has always talked a sh!t load, you think this is new for him? cant say i agree

I think it’s crossed a line. He’s attacking being a bully. I appreciate he did that with Cunningham but they both went at each other. There always been showmanship and humour. There wasn’t much in the way of that from what I saw. It was all about undermining wilder.

[adislav123]

Oh come on! What fornicating line did he cross? Calling his legs skinny? Calling his record a joke? Calling him a shithouse? Like that's something he doesn't hear on a daily basis! The only thing that bothers wilder is that fury is ten times the trash talker he is. All wilder has to offer "i knock you out! I put you to sleep! I'll bounce your head off the canvas! I'll step over your unconcious body!" Lame! He wishes he could come up with something original like fury's tirades. He's even laughing bout it himself! They both have a laugh, right after leaving the stage. All the "let's settle it right here, right now" shit is pure show. Nothing serious at all. promotion circus as usual. Or did i miss some?thing?

[lazboy]

Ah who’s knows you’re probably right it’s wwe theatrics. I just got the sense fury was a little vulnerable. A bit desperate to undermine instead of the fun loving and funny fury. Who knows. We’ll see how it plays out in the ring.

[Lackeos]

Wladimir Klitschko's performance against Fury is also difficult to explain in any other terms

Not really. I can explain that as easily as I can explain JMM's performance against Mayweather. The guy with shorter arms couldn't hit the guy with longer arms. The guy with longer arms could hit the guy with shorter arms.

[Heretic]

Wladimir Klitschko's performance against Fury is also difficult to explain in any other terms

Not really. I can explain that as easily as I can explain JMM's performance against Mayweather. The guy with shorter arms couldn't hit the guy with longer arms. The guy with longer arms could hit the guy with shorter arms.

In other words.... Styles makes fights.

Wlad's style was not working against Fury and he failed to adjust during the fight and lost. Not difficult to grasp at all.

JMM vs Mayweather is great example of this too

[Heretic]

What comes to the psychological side of things... I think it has become less important than what it used to be. Boxing is much more professional now days. It is not about the tough guys anymore. Also psychological aspects are now taken more in to consideration in training and coaching than before. Fights are won in the ring and not in the press conferences