What must it be like entering a fight knowing you're not going to win?

[Larry the boss]

well you've already lost with that type of thinking

[Heeb]

When I fought several fights...for different reasons depending on the situation...I can honestly say I didnt feel like I was ready to win...sometimes I think I personally took it too far, thought too much, put too much pressure on myself...sabotaged my preparation with foolish mistakes beforehand, etc...and I bet many many many guys fought Roy Jones, Tyson and Trinidad and honestly wouldnt have bet on themselves...

Did you ever win a fight you felt you weren't ready for?

[Guest]

When I fought several fights...for different reasons depending on the situation...I can honestly say I didnt feel like I was ready to win...sometimes I think I personally took it too far, thought too much, put too much pressure on myself...sabotaged my preparation with foolish mistakes beforehand, etc...and I bet many many many guys fought Roy Jones, Tyson and Trinidad and honestly wouldnt have bet on themselves...

Is there any one guy you fought, who you thought to yourself while fighting him, man he's a lot better than I thought he'd be?

[Phil Ivey]

If you dont have the mentality that you will win, then you already lost before you even stepped into the ring

that's some philosophical stuff mangz.

[Thread Stealer]

[jazluvr]

Yeah, it's a good job Cotto never thought he'd lose... otherwise he'd have been TKO'd by Margarito and Pacquaio, right?

[ICEMAN JOHN SCULLY]

Is there any one guy you fought, who you thought to yourself while fighting him, man he's a lot better than I thought he'd be?

yes for sure but I have also fought guys who I found werent nearly as good as I figured they'd be, too...and, yes, actually one of my best performances as a pro came on TV in a fight that I REALLY didnt think I was ready for at all! Crazy how it works sometimes, boxing is VERY mental...

[jazluvr]

Crazy how it works sometimes, boxing is VERY mental...

I bet it is...like everything in life, attitude is everything. They say 1/2 of fighting is mental....believing in yourself, confidence...etc. Do you find that to be true? You seemed to have been surprised in some fights. I bet it's a second-by-second thinking kinda game.

Detirmination, focus, desire, ability to emotionally dissconnect, and go on "robot" mode...(kill-destroy)...lol. But we all know that much. To actually get in the ring and do it is another story i bet.

[ICEMAN JOHN SCULLY]

I bet it is...like everything in life, attitude is everything. They say 1/2 of fighting is mental....believing in yourself, confidence...etc. Do you find that to be true? You seemed to have been surprised in some fights. I bet it's a second-by-second thinking kinda game.

Detirmination, focus, desire, ability to emotionally dissconnect, and go on "robot" mode...(kill-destroy)...lol. But we all know that much. To actually get in the ring and do it is another story i bet.

We, Ill give u an example of my own...there were several fights where I spent MUCH more time training to lose weight that I did to get in top cardio condition and to focus on strategy to win the fight...that happens with a lot of guys...they train to lose weight, to beat the scale, not to actually win the fight...they hope it will just kick in on fight night but often times the mental stress that comes with realizing you're arent REALLY ready is such that it overtakes you...in a word, it really SUCKS...there were times when I went into certain fights HATING boxing...

[jazluvr]

Wow...you sure have some experience to share, and can provide and insight for us non-boxers, so we can maybe understand what it must be like to be a big time boxer. You add a lot to this forum, John. I'm glad you started posting again!