6/11/06 - article by Kerry Daigle
IN BOXING MENTAL BEATS PHYSICAL MANY TIMES
Sugar Ray Leonard & Kerry Daigle
BOXING PHOTO COMPLIMENTS OF WWW.KEEPPUNCHING.COM
TITLE OF PHOTO:
ONE OF THE MOST GIFTED MENTALLY TOUGH BOXERS IN HISTORY, SUGAR RAY LEONDARD WITH AUTHOR , KERRY DAIGLE
Boxing is not only about getting in great physical condition and understanding the technical
aspects of the sweet science. The key ingredient most of the time is the mental edge a fighter
has over another. How strong is the pugilist's mind going into a professional match? A great
example of mental toughness was the very easy decision Bernard Hopkins gained over Antonio
Tarver Saturday, June 10, on HBO PPV. Although Tarver was the bigger guy with great hand
speed he was not the mentally tougher fighter. That was very evident when early in the fight
things didn't go Tarver's way. Antonio didn't know how to address the challenge mentally.
Bernard beat Antonio mentally then tore him down physically.
Boxing is the most physically challenging of all sports. It is a sport where there is no team
mate to depend on once your match starts. It's three minutes of 'fury' with a short 1 minute rest
for 4 to 12 rounds depending on the scheduled bout. To prepare for this task in competing as a boxer,
the athlete (boxer) must have both upper and lower body strength while still maintaining a superb
level of cardiovascular conditioning unmatched by most athletes. The boxer must have the capacity
to compete on the level of a marathon runner or iron man while developing smooth movements, power,
and the ability to 'take a punch' or should I say 'avoid one'. They must be nutritionally sound
while making weight on a contract to fight within 'one pound' of the designated weight of the
fight. On the other hand they must then face another boxer who may be equally conditioned.
This is where the mental strength of a fighter wins a match. His or her will to win. His or
her desire to change strategies when needed. The ability to out think the opponent. The
boxer is alone in that ring once the bell sounds. There are no time outs. If you are cut
you must wait for your one minute rest to stop the flow of blood. A boxer goes through
these trials and tribulations and must rely heavily on their mental make-up.
Why is it some boxers make weight and some don't? Why is it some run with injuries and spar with
hand problems and some don't? Why do some boxers fight with a 'fever' or 'cold' and some don't?
The mental edge. The mind works wonders especially for the boxer who wants to compete on that
championship level. While most people are sleeping until time to go to work, the boxer is up
at 4AM to 5AM doing sprints, long distance running up bleachers and hills at levels that the
normal human being never sees. The mental strength it takes to compete at this level is the
difference between the champion and the contender.
When a boxer's trainer cannot make it to the gym or the sparring partners don't show up it is
the mental edge that makes the boxer understand the obstacle before him or her and now takes
matters in their own hands without any excuses until the problem can be resolved. It would be
easy to say, "I'll just catch up tomorrow" and not show up. When doing that you have to
remember the opponent may not be looking for excuses but training through all obstacles.
THAT makes a champion.That is why fringe contenders or averagely gifted boxers win over
their vastly more experienced foe. It is about THE MENTAL EDGE.
So next time you see a fighter get up in the ring and you have a sarcastic comment to make...
Think again. It doesn't matter that they may have a spotty record. What does matter is that
they put on their trunks, their cup, gloves, and mouthpiece and attempted to do what the
critics are not willing to do. Compete at a mental capacity that is far from the 'average Joe'.
Keep Punching!
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