Do fundamentals actually matter

[Pkety]

Aight got it thanks all was just a bit confused but makes sense

[Richard G]

Not sure about the 'genetic freaks' thing, of course some had/have a lot of natural talent if that can be called freaky. There are a total of 8(?) punches to learn to deliver and to defend against which you will learn in, what, 12 months? The rest is all about practice, practice, practice which of course includes developing your style, learning combinations and all the bits and pieces that go together to develop a skilled boxer.

[RuleOfTheSpear]

All the Greats started with fundamentals and later developed their own techniques and styles.

But the not-so-elite boxers remained with their fundamentals and did not transcend beyond it (e.g. Mikey, Paulie, etc.)

Dela Hoya, Pacquiao, Mayweather were all basic fighters when they were teenagers. You could still see clips of them as teenagers. You could see the evolution of their styles as they grow.