Why does POVERTY MAKE FIGHTERS?

[McGoorty]

I was reading a Sugar Ray Robinson book the other day, and the author states that it's usually the broke men who are inside of the ring. Anyone want to take a crack at why it's usually the poor who are psychologically fit to be fighters?

Absolutely true........ I'd say 98% of the ATG's came from very poor backgrounds... there are easier occupations.

[gatorDelux]

when u are poor or have struggled in live somehow it hardens u in a way that can help u mentaly in the ring

but IMO its not always who grew up harder its who has a bigger chip on there shoulder

who has more to prove

u can win a title and have enough money and they u can just fight and not take it as seriously

but the guys who dominate are stubbord mofos who have allready made money they are doing it for legacy

but growing up hard and tough helps fr sure

[SBleeder]

It has nothing to do with being "psychologically fit" to be a fighter.

There probably aren't more than 50 fighters in history who wouldn't have chosen med school over slugging it out for a biscuit if they had been given the choice at age 18.

[Forza]

Ali and SRL were middle class ( ali actually upper middle class )

Didn't MAB come from a family of lawyers?

but yeah it's a sport for the poor

[McGoorty]

Reading back on this I see an obvious exception. Cassius Clay did not have to fight much as a kid and he grew up to be a pretty good fighter [/understatement] with as much heart as anyone before or after him.

There are always exceptions...... Tommy Burns II was from a normal background..... With him it was purely money..... make 6 months pay in a night... Burns became an idol in Australia during the 40's rising to become the best WW in the country. Tunney too, although as pointed out earlier, his youth was still no picnic. But the fact still remains that poverty and discrimination are major factors through boxing history.... it is no mistake that so many great fighters have come from Mexico.

[RubenSonny]

Ali and SRL were middle class ( ali actually upper middle class )

Didn't MAB come from a family of lawyers?

but yeah it's a sport for the poor

I think that's incorrect, pretty sure his parents were poor.