Counter Punching and Quickness

[Willie Pep 229]

Are great counter punchers innately quicker than most, and gravitate to that style because they possess the talent (quickness)?

Or . . .

Does learning to properly counter punch make a fighter quicker because reflex is faster than taking action?

The Gunfighter Hypothesis

The gunfighter hypothesis says that when two people face off in a quick-draw duel, the person who draws second often reacts faster—because reactive movements (like responding to a threat) are generally quicker than deliberate ones (like initiating an action). It's the brain's way of going into high alert when it senses danger.

[DeeMoney]

As with a lot of stylistic choices in sports, there are probably some of both. I imagine there are some who develop into good counter punchers because of natural quickness and reflexes. But then there are those who develop as counter punchers.

I dont know if there reflexes actually improve (as in muscle activation speed as a response to stimuli) rather they grow in recognition of what the opponent is going to to and is able to respond more quickly as such.

I think of it this way- a while back they had a bunch of MLB all stars take at bats against Jennie Fimch, and for the most part they struggled. It wasnt because they lacked the reflexes to hit her pitches, rather that their skill had been developed to respond to overhand baseball style pitches, they werent accustomed to softball pitches.
This correlates to the question in that I bet some fighters develop into quality counter punchers not because their reflexes are superior to other pro level fighters, but because they have become adept at recognizing what an opponent is going to do and are capable of reacting properly.

[kimberlyfink]

Are great counter punchers innately quicker than most, and gravitate to that style because they possess the talent (quickness)?

Or . . .

Does learning to properly counter punch make a fighter quicker because reflex is faster than taking action?

The Gunfighter Hypothesis Racing Limits

The gunfighter hypothesis says that when two people face off in a quick-draw duel, the person who draws second often reacts faster—because reactive movements (like responding to a threat) are generally quicker than deliberate ones (like initiating an action). It's the brain's way of going into high alert when it senses danger.

Maybe your point is correct. But in a fight, the faster person doesn't necessarily win. I think it depends on the accuracy of the punches or the endurance and flexibility. Something like that.