What’s the most underrated skill in boxing

[O_oliver]

Been watching, training, and reading a lot lately — and it got me thinking:
We all talk about speed, power, footwork… but what do you think is the most underrated skill in boxing?
For me, it’s patience. Not just ring patience — but patience with progress, training, even watching fights and seeing how things unfold.
Curious what others think. What do you wish more fighters (or fans) paid attention to? Could be a mindset thing, a physical detail, or even something about how we watch the sport.

[daggum]

probably ducking. look at guys like wilder and tank. years of prominence and tons of money. none of those skills matter, opponent selections matters

[SouthpawRight]

A great jab will take you around the world

It’s underrated because there are many dumbarse fans who won’t score jabs rofl

[Haka]

The thing that Messi and Usyk have, able to adapt last millisecond.

[crimsonfalcon07]

Good comments so far. I'll add positioning. Many these days, even pros, don't understand the art of positional defense and offense. Not just taking angles, but knowing where to put your body to limit your opponent's options while still having access to your whole arsenal.

[M312]

Footwork is king.

With good footwork, you get power, defence, attack, angles. Make opponents miss. Hit them where they can't see.

Taken my boy to a few gyms where they concentrate a lot on punching alone. I get it, it's the fun part. But without footwork you are in trouble.

So many gyms neglect the most important thing... Feet!

[Spray_resistant]

A natural sense of timing, when to throw when to slip James Toney had that. He was also so relaxed when he fought too so he could have been on a steady diet of burger king weighing 230ish at 5'9 and still go 12.

[SouthpawRight]

A natural sense of timing, when to throw when to slip James Toney had that. He was also so relaxed when he fought too so he could have been on a steady diet of burger king weighing 230ish at 5'9 and still go 12.

Roy considers Floyd’s Cousin James his best opponent

having success as an obese short heavyweight is testament to how good Floyd’s Cousin James was

[Spray_resistant]

Roy considers Floyd’s Cousin James his best opponent

having success as an obese short heavyweight is testament to how good Floyd’s Cousin James was

I think the Holyfield win was very underrated, yes he was 44 but Toney was 40 and a fat SMW who tko'd him.

[SouthpawRight]

I think the Holyfield win was very underrated, yes he was 44 but Toney was 40 and a fat SMW who tko'd him.

lol Floyd’s Cousin James was so good that he succeeded without any conditioning at all

his only training was sparring everyday