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by David P. Greisman - Let’s get this out of the way first: Sergio Martinez looked good when he needed to look good — but what wasn’t so good is when he needed to.
The best fighters are able to do what Martinez did Saturday night. Pick a cliché, and he did it: He dug deep, turned it up a notch, came from behind, and did exactly what he needed to do to come out with the win.
The best fighters shouldn’t have to do what Martinez had to do.
This is the armchair analysis that ensues after every performance, particularly when a favored fighter is seen as underwhelming against a perceived underdog. For all of the training that goes into a bout, and for all of the qualities a man must show once he is one-on-one in the ring, the one obstacle a boxer can never truly conquer is expectations.
The list of people he must please include fans, networks, promoters and even himself.
This is the difference between the individual combat sports and the mainstream team sports. Players’ pay is still tied to performance, but the bottom line tied to that bottom line is winning. That’s not the lone criteria in boxing, though even the less entertaining fighters can nevertheless dominate and be paid millions of dollars to do so. [Click Here To Read More]
The best fighters are able to do what Martinez did Saturday night. Pick a cliché, and he did it: He dug deep, turned it up a notch, came from behind, and did exactly what he needed to do to come out with the win.
The best fighters shouldn’t have to do what Martinez had to do.
This is the armchair analysis that ensues after every performance, particularly when a favored fighter is seen as underwhelming against a perceived underdog. For all of the training that goes into a bout, and for all of the qualities a man must show once he is one-on-one in the ring, the one obstacle a boxer can never truly conquer is expectations.
The list of people he must please include fans, networks, promoters and even himself.
This is the difference between the individual combat sports and the mainstream team sports. Players’ pay is still tied to performance, but the bottom line tied to that bottom line is winning. That’s not the lone criteria in boxing, though even the less entertaining fighters can nevertheless dominate and be paid millions of dollars to do so. [Click Here To Read More]
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