Tweet
Trainers, Even Hall of Fame Trainers, Are Often Overrated
By Frank Lotierzo
http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxin...ten-overrated/
Here are some excerpt from the article:
------------------------------------
In truth, trainers are overrated. In most cases it's 90% the fighter and 10% the trainer, and 10% may even be a stretch. Angelo Dundee is no doubt a certified Hall of Fame trainer, but in truth Muhammad Ali didn't listen to Angelo or Archie Moore, who was his first trainer. When it came to ring strategy and fighting, Ali didn't anything anyone tried to tell him. Emanuel Steward was a great asset to Lennox Lewis when it came to teaching him how to use his size and fight like a big guy. On the other hand did he “become inept” when he trained Jermain Taylor, who actually had one of his worst showings while Steward was in his corner?
How much did boxing's current best trainer, in my opinion, Nacho Beristain, help Oscar De La Hoya in his last fight? It wasn't Nacho's fault Oscar was of declining skill and he couldn't cope with Pacquiao's quick hands and reflexes. George Gainford only trained one great fighter, Sugar Ray Robinson. Is it a coincidence that Gainford never trained another fighter who could be considered outstanding, let a lone great? In fact Gainford was once asked while holding court at a local tavern, "how come none of your other fighters fight as great as Robinson?" To which he had no response. Kevin Rooney is another example. Other than Mike Tyson, who was taught how to fight by Cus D'Amato, who were the other greats he developed and worked with?
No doubt, Floyd Mayweather Sr. and Freddie Roach are two of the best boxing trainers around today. If I owned a fighter’s contract, I'd be comfortable with him under the tutelage of either one of them. However, as redundant as the saying "styles make fights" is, it'll be Pacquiao and Hatton who ultimately determine who wins their fight, not the guys working the corner.
By Frank Lotierzo
http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxin...ten-overrated/
Here are some excerpt from the article:
------------------------------------
In truth, trainers are overrated. In most cases it's 90% the fighter and 10% the trainer, and 10% may even be a stretch. Angelo Dundee is no doubt a certified Hall of Fame trainer, but in truth Muhammad Ali didn't listen to Angelo or Archie Moore, who was his first trainer. When it came to ring strategy and fighting, Ali didn't anything anyone tried to tell him. Emanuel Steward was a great asset to Lennox Lewis when it came to teaching him how to use his size and fight like a big guy. On the other hand did he “become inept” when he trained Jermain Taylor, who actually had one of his worst showings while Steward was in his corner?
How much did boxing's current best trainer, in my opinion, Nacho Beristain, help Oscar De La Hoya in his last fight? It wasn't Nacho's fault Oscar was of declining skill and he couldn't cope with Pacquiao's quick hands and reflexes. George Gainford only trained one great fighter, Sugar Ray Robinson. Is it a coincidence that Gainford never trained another fighter who could be considered outstanding, let a lone great? In fact Gainford was once asked while holding court at a local tavern, "how come none of your other fighters fight as great as Robinson?" To which he had no response. Kevin Rooney is another example. Other than Mike Tyson, who was taught how to fight by Cus D'Amato, who were the other greats he developed and worked with?
No doubt, Floyd Mayweather Sr. and Freddie Roach are two of the best boxing trainers around today. If I owned a fighter’s contract, I'd be comfortable with him under the tutelage of either one of them. However, as redundant as the saying "styles make fights" is, it'll be Pacquiao and Hatton who ultimately determine who wins their fight, not the guys working the corner.
Comment