A Question for the Trainers and Girlfriends of Boxers

[FamousJ]

As a boxing trainer (or girlfriend), what do you say to a fighter who's just suffered an embarrassing loss? (Take Michael Spinks' loss to Mike Tyson, for example.) I'm sure there's a lot of "tonight just wasn't your night, champ," but there has to be more to it than that. Boxing is a unique sport, because there are no teams. When a man loses, HE loses. So what do you say to someone after they've been completely dominated by another boxer? What kind of emotional impact does that kind of defeat have on a fighter? And how does it make YOU feel?

Please be as thorough as possible. I'm using these answers to put an essay together and will credit anyone I may end up quoting.

Thanks.

[RodBarker]

The preparation for taking a loss should be put into the fighters mental picture long before it happens , treat them like intelligent people not wind up toys , I believe a good trainer should also be a good friend and mentor , life is about goals and failures and finding inner strength to over come hardships with honor , teach a fighter to work hard and give his all and most of all be true to self and if he lost he can walk proud knowing he did not fail himself he did his best and the other guy was a better fighter on the night not necessarily a better human being and thats all that really matters , a loss you can live with and rebuild and work with , lying to self you carnt , to never loose just means you have never pushed your goals high enough to find your limit

[McNulty]

As a boxing trainer (or girlfriend), what do you say to a fighter who's just suffered an embarrassing loss? (Take Michael Spinks' loss to Mike Tyson, for example.) I'm sure there's a lot of "tonight just wasn't your night, champ," but there has to be more to it than that.

Never call them 'Champ'. When your not champ it sucks to hear someone you call it. This has come to me verbatim from former major belt holders.

If you want source names P-M me.

For the GF's:
Dont say anything. I got a loss in the ams' and the last thing I needed was console. Mine was a slim decision and not embarrassing...do the math.

@ RodBarker:
Trainers, IME, never prepare you to lose. It goes against the grame. When it happens its dealt with. Preparing for defeat, teaches one defeat.

[RodBarker]

@ RodBarker:
Trainers, IME, never prepare you to lose. It goes against the grame. When it happens its dealt with. Preparing for defeat, teaches one defeat.

Ahh but thats where wisdom prevails , you can speak and prepare the subconscious in many ways sports Psychology is a very deep subject .