Comments Thread For: Frank Warren on Developing Fighters, Enzo, Frampton

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There will be a fistic marathon tonight, on both sides of the pond, in Las Vegas, probably the most meaningful international fight of the year thus far takes place at the MGM Grand when Tim Bradley and Manny Pacquiao resume hostilities for the former’s WBO World Welterweight title.

Both are in the upper echelons of the sport’s mythical ‘pound-for-pound’ rankings. They met previously at the same venue in June 2012 with Bradley eloping with a split decision which mystified everybody. ‘Pacman’ appeared to have won at a canter.
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"Ideally, as they serve their apprenticeship, I'll keep the youngster as busy as possible working with my matchmaker, we match them with a variety of opponents to help develop every aspect of the prospect's game. They need to be exposed against southpaws, defensive crabs, movers, sluggers and, later on, even a big puncher."

That's exactly how a fighter should be developed. Put him in 4 rounders against each of those different opponent types and fix any technical or conditioning weaknesses that are seen.

Then move on to 6 rounders against each of the opponent types and repeat the process.

Eventually you will have a boxer that has the stamina to go 12 rounds and that knows how to deal with southpaws, movers, sluggers etc. That's when you have him go after the top contenders and the champion.

In an ideal world all boxers would be brought along in this fashion.

But the desire for "big money as quickly as possible" often causes shortcuts to be taken and the fighter never develops to his full potential.