Start of Puberty Best Time to Start Boxing

[GrandpaBernard]

the sports biggest names all started around 12

SRR 12 or 13
Ali 12
SRL 13 or 14
Mile Tyson 11 or 12

Are the chances of becoming a great elite fighter diminished if boxing is taken up after the start of puberty

Guys who start at between 18 to 20 years old can still do very well for themselves but often Lack many fine details of boxing

Fury vs Wilder being a perfect example.

Fury born into a boxing family and has a fine tuned radar for incoming punches. All the experience allows him to predict punches and defend against them

Wilder on the other hand started late and can barely keep good technique once he has someone hurt

Then we had mcgregor who wasn’t even turning his hips into the punches

[Eff Pandas]

Like with most things the more experience you have the better you'll get, but unlike most things there is a ceiling with athletics that limits you as well.

I think any age where you can get a solid decade or more experience with 4 to 6+ years amateur experience without being too late into your 20s gives you the best chance of success. Obviously the younger the better. Those amateur years seem key to a successful pro career.

That's not to say you can't start at 17 or only fight amateur for a year & not have success. I'm just saying it seems like the odds of starting late or having a abbreviated amateur career lowers the odds on success in boxing.

[tritium_arma]

How much are boxer's mental capacity affected by starting so early?

[GrandpaBernard]

How much are boxer's mental capacity affected by starting so early?

Good question

Floyd Fury DLH all born into fighting families and their minds are still healthy

Then we have fighters like Benitez

[Truth Bringer]

This is true for non-heavyweights.

[Eff Pandas]

How much are boxer's mental capacity affected by starting so early?

Until post puberty I'd assume nearly nil to minimal as kids usually aren't strong enough to seriously hurt each other.

Granted there can be freaks like Mike Tyson who was basically a man at 12 compared to most kids his age, but usually that's not the case.

[Eff Pandas]

This is true for non-heavyweights.

True. The bigger guys are the less skill one needs for success as long as they have power/strength. Power/Strength are a great equalizer vs superior skilled boxers. Lotsa late beginners at HW that go on to various levels of success.