Can 10,000 hours of practice make you a top boxer ?

[jessi]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26384712

[banjo]

Technically yes but it's not as simple as that, there's certain things in some sports that can't be practiced.

[JC]

Also not all practice is equally effective.

[JimStone]

I must've done at least 10,000 hours worth of masturbation practice over the years and plenty of people call me a world class wanker.

[Tanzio]

Depends on the clay.

[Glass Joe]

A lot of factors with boxing, like being matched right, genetics, nutrition, what drugs you use etc.

[JimStone]

A lot of factors with boxing, like being matched right, genetics, nutrition, what drugs you use etc.

They're overrated for fighters.

People have to be careful not to over-emphasize the importance of strength and conditioning, nutrition, and, where applicable, drugs, relative to skill training. Floyd is the best fighter in the world because he drills his boxing like mad and has done since he was a boy. He then tops that off with eating right, etc... I shit you not, the majority of pro fighters in this country spend more time on non-specific training than they do on practising the techniques of the sport itself. That's one of the major reasons why we often fail at the highest levels.

Our most successful boxers, Lennox and Joe, had the balance right.

[m1kee50]

Yes providing you've got the physical attributes to train, some sort of speed, balance, reflexes et cetera as a base.

10'000 hours at 4 hours a day is nearly 7 years. I'd say thats enough, Canelo's probably had less.

[ra2006]

No, I have boxed at local gyms for 20 years and I am still crap!!

It is just up to you, I box to keep in shape not as a earner (i am 38), if I were to fight a 4 rounder I would get mullered and bearly make the end of the fight, and get paid peanuts for the privilege.

I have sparred with a few boys who are domestic level pros and the gulf between them and me is huge. He need natural talent and ability to make some sort of a living in this sport, sadly I have neither and thats why I am here on this forum giving my opinion on boxers who are far far more greater than I in this sport!!

[Jack B]

Would you say boxing is a complex skill based sport? If so, I'd say the 10,000 hour theory is applicable.

The sports where the theory falls down are your more basic, physically dependent sports, e.g. sprinting.

[Datsue]

A lot of factors with boxing, like being matched right, genetics, nutrition, what drugs you use etc.

They're overrated for fighters.

People have to be careful not to over-emphasize the importance of strength and conditioning, nutrition, and, where applicable, drugs, relative to skill training. Floyd is the best fighter in the world because he drills his boxing like mad and has done since he was a boy. He then tops that off with eating right, etc... I poo you not, the majority of pro fighters in this country spend more time on non-specific training than they do on practising the techniques of the sport itself. That's one of the major reasons why we often fail at the highest levels.

Our most successful boxers, Lennox and Joe, had the balance right.

A contention I've long held, too.

[Grilling Machine]

There's one flaw straight off the bat: most pros have reached 10,000 hours as a matter of course.

The other problem is 'the last few per cent'. I remember someone saying that almost anyone of fair age could get within five seconds per lap of F1 drivers, but the tenths from there become exponentially harder to reel-in. Natural talent accounts for that last bit, which is obviously what separates the very best.

For sure, 10,000 hours is enough to make most people very, very good at something. But the key point is that 10,000 hours is a form of natural selection; if you're not improving, you're likely to find something else to do. So the majority of those that make it to the end have been motivated by self-improvement.

I think it applies less to boxing than other pro sports, though, because boxing's largely about strength of character. It's a shame that mental fortitude tends to peak when our bodies are on the slide. People often say 'why didn't so-and-so turn pro years ago', and if you discount prison, it's often because they had emotional problems.

[dudu]

Its also a question of perfect practice. Repetitive incorrect practice will only enforce bad habits.

[stevieb_8006]

wouldn't that burn you out physically before you've reached your best?

I'd say no, you've either got it or you don't.

Also, you could do all that training and still have a glass jaw/not like getting punched in the face.

[Crease]

I've boxed in the club on-and-off for 12 years but I've never had an amateur fight and I don't want one. Sparring is quite enough for me, and the thought of another guy trying to smash my face is not very appealing to me.

That being said, I agree with the old saying "practice makes perfect" if you do boxing drills then technically you well get better. However, everyone has different strengths and weaknesses and some people just physically aren't really equipped for the sport of boxing. And I would definitely fight right into that category.

For some reason, I have a light left arm. I don't seem to generate a lot of power in my jab, and I've tried everything - planting my feet, thrusting my jab out with as much heat as I can - I just don't have a strong jab... While other guys I've trained with have heavy jabs... To be honest, I don't think that there is an explanation for it.

Who can explain why smaller guys (like Mike Tyson, let's say) has more explosive power that guys who are naturally taller and heavier than him... And while physicality is an important factor, it definitely comes down to something more than that.

I was saying earlier that some people aren't cut out for boxing, and admitted that I'm one of them. I'm a much better kickboxer than I am a boxer because I've got strong legs, and I can generate much more and feel more "at home" with kickboxing than what I do boxing (that might not make much sence, but to me it does) - even though I go down to the boxing gym and do circuit training down there.

But as I say, I believe that there's a sport/martial art which suits someone. And on that note, I used to know a kid in school - he was always an overweight lad. Well he's grown up - is well over 20 stone and he's currently in the advanced stages of studying jujutsu, think he's a brown belt or something. Well I spoke to him about this topic before and he immediately agreed with me, and said that it connected with him and suited him because there isn't as much cardio work compared to what other sports/martial arts have.

It's interesting stuff.

[JimStone]

Why 10,000 hours? Why not 9999 hours or 10,001 hours. A cynic might think it was a nice, round, clean, simple looking number like that because it's been plucked out of someone's arse.

[TheGman]

No, I have boxed at local gyms for 20 years and I am still crap!!

It is just up to you, I box to keep in shape not as a earner (i am 38), if I were to fight a 4 rounder I would get mullered and bearly make the end of the fight, and get paid peanuts for the privilege.

I have sparred with a few boys who are domestic level pros and the gulf between them and me is huge. He need natural talent and ability to make some sort of a living in this sport, sadly I have neither and thats why I am here on this forum giving my opinion on boxers who are far far more greater than I in this sport!!

Same as me,im 36 and been in gyms since i wad 9 never pushed myself to another level,id say iv trained harder in the past 9 years than ever before but that is down to a good friend of mine who is at a very good pro level but wen i spar him the talent is a gulf apart not only that the toughness is miles apart too but he has sparred good pros who cant take more than 4 rounds of his presure either. So in a word no,10,000 hours will just get u fit but wont give u the talent that is needed.

[Datsue]

Why 10,000 hours? Why not 9999 hours or 10,001 hours. A cynic might think it was a nice, round, clean, simple looking number like that because it's been plucked out of someone's arse.

Some pudendum with a self-help book, I believe. Since been nicked & put on sports milkshakes & parroted unquestioningly by fvckwits.

[jessi]

Why 10,000 hours? Why not 9999 hours or 10,001 hours. A cynic might think it was a nice, round, clean, simple looking number like that because it's been plucked out of someone's arse.

Well I'm sure they are talking approximately, if they said 9,999 your still be moaning ! I think the right kind of practice is essential ! If your seriously not improving after 1,000 hours your give up anyway !

[JimStone]

Why 10,000 hours? Why not 9999 hours or 10,001 hours. A cynic might think it was a nice, round, clean, simple looking number like that because it's been plucked out of someone's arse.

Well I'm sure they are talking approximately, if they said 9,999 your still be moaning ! I think the right kind of practice is essential ! If your seriously not improving after 1,000 hours your give up anyway !

D You're right actually, I would be moaning or at least mocking. When people over the age of eight need informing that practising something consistently over a period of years will likely make them good at doing that thing, mocking is appropriate,

[jessi]

Why 10,000 hours? Why not 9999 hours or 10,001 hours. A cynic might think it was a nice, round, clean, simple looking number like that because it's been plucked out of someone's arse.

Well I'm sure they are talking approximately, if they said 9,999 your still be moaning ! I think the right kind of practice is essential ! If your seriously not improving after 1,000 hours your give up anyway !

D You're right actually, I would be moaning or at least mocking. When people over the age of eight need informing that practising something consistently over a period of years will likely make them good at doing that thing, mocking is appropriate,

Speaking of over the age of 8, I hear your a OD fan ?
Tell them practice makes perfect

[reggaereggae]

I must've done at least 10,000 hours worth of masturbation practice over the years and plenty of people call me a world class wanker.

[Deserter]

Reading 'The Sports Gene' at the moment and would recommend anyone remotely interested in this topic to do the same. A decent part of the early chapters is dedicated to puncturing the '10,000 hours' myth... and this comes from someone who bought into it after reading Malcolm Gladwell...

[Grilling Machine]

like Mike Tyson, let's say

The lighter Tyson had amazing coordination from his feet up. Same as Tommy Hearns. Whenever you see Hearns throw a big right, rewind it and watch his elbow. His right shoulder dips (which is really hard to do when you're not relaxed) and he cocks his elbow into the last week. The Indiana Jones' whip of punches. That increased travel - hand upturned and away, as if to throw a tennis ball - combined with the speed of Hearns' snap gave him so much leverage. Ray Robinson could throw the same.

A lot of their juice came from having the coordination to drive with their legs and torso as they were turning it over. It's actually a hook initially, using that rotation as an accelerant for energy. Lighter guys with big punches often have the most harmonious full-body timing.

[rob h]

Talent and/ or will to get punched and not go down.