Five attributes needed to succeed in boxing

As the likes of Jake Paul and KSI have found out, boxing is an incredibly tough sport to succeed in. Numerous influencers and aspiring fighters claim to have the talent needed to clean up in the ring, but it’s impossible to know how they’ll fare until they step up to the plate and put themselves in the firing line. It’s that simple. 

Over the years, we’ve seen a number of confident fighters come to the fore and receive a reality check in the process. After all, all it takes is one punch and a fighter can immediately regret the decision to dedicate their lives to arguably the toughest sport on the planet. The likes of Joe Weller, Tommy Fury, and Anthony Taylor have all succeeded in this particular area of the sport in their own way, but even these experienced performers will never stop learning given boxing’s ruthless nature. Simply put, stand still and you’ll get knocked out. 

Even in the professional world, numerous boxers have come and gone from the sport. While fans can almost be guaranteed a knockout during a Canelo Álvarez event or confidently back the likes of Oleksandr Usyk when it comes to betting no matter who the Ukrainian comes up against, there have been countless examples of fighters who have simply struggled to find their rhythm in a truly grueling sport that can break people down. As numerous influencers are finding out right now, not everyone has the attributes needed to succeed in boxing. 

With that in mind, below are just five of the main skills a boxer needs to be able to stand a chance in the ring. Without these basic attributes, it’s safe to say boxing probably isn’t the sport for them. 

Speed clearly helps 

While we’ve witnessed a number of fighters move slowly over the years but cause damage with the big punches they do land, speed is an attribute fighters are always working on. Arguably the best physical attribute a boxer can possess, the more punches you can throw, the more likely you’re going to see off your opponent. The judges will favor you, fighters will struggle to contain your attacks thanks to your fast hand speed, and you’ll be a fun fighter to watch that fans everywhere will rave about. From Floyd Mayweather to Muhammad Ali, some of the sport’s finest ever fighters could throw fast counters and overwhelm opponents with their sheer hand speed. 

Conditioning is crucial 

Numerous fighters on Misfits cards have clearly underestimated the dedication needed to shine in the ring on a big fight night. While some train for a few weeks before a major televised encounter, others clearly spend months and months building up their experience. An amateur fighter probably isn’t used to getting punched in the face, resulting in a distinct need to focus on conditioning. After all, if you can’t take a punch, then how can you expect to reign supreme? Some of the best fighters the sport has ever seen have taken some massive punches, and while they’d ideally prefer not to, it’s just part and parcel of the sport. As such, if you enter the ring without working on conditioning, then your boxing career will be short-lived.

Defence is key

Another key attribute boxers need is the ability to defend when coming under attack. The sweet science isn’t just about landing knockout blows and throwing endless amounts of combos, with many fighters ignoring the art of simply not getting hit. If you don’t get hit, then you’re more likely to be the best version of yourself. Hitting without getting hit is tough, though, but excelling in defense is crucial to any fighter’s chances. If you’re simply a human punchbag for your opponents, then a knockout is likely to come your way. In order to increase your chances of success, put a lot of time and energy into aspects like head movement and using your hands, while footwork is also important. For example, some fighters study their opponents in extensive detail, perhaps with the aim of countering their style with some weapons of their own. Ultimately, there are so many aspects to defence in boxing, but it’s an area of the sport that should never be neglected. 

Good cardio is a necessity 

If you’re chowing down on burgers and enjoying big nights out with friends a few days before you step into the ring, then your preparation isn’t the best. Boxers are some of the fittest athletes around, and while they can let themselves go in-between fights, they’re able to do so because of the immense dedication required during training camps. Cardio is one area a fighter should never ignore, with fatigue being one of the worst feelings a fighter can experience while having to avoid huge punches from their rivals. Simply put, if fatigue creeps in, then a fighter can easily quit. In order to feel full of energy, be confident, and ready to put on a show, good cardio is the only way to go here. You can possess all the skill in the world but a tired fighter will always put themselves in danger. 

Footwork is vital 

While casual fans won’t notice a fighter’s footwork as much, boxing purists are always looking at how boxers use their feet to avoid punches and set up combinations. If a fighter struggles with their footwork, then any coach will be worried heading into an influencer event. A sport where bobbing and weaving isn’t the only way you can evade punches, fighters also need to focus on their feet and master one of the most effective defensive and attacking tools they can possibly have in their arsenal. Watching a fighter who is confident on their feet is a joy, with many professionals and aspiring fighters working on this particular aspect of their boxing game on a daily basis. In order to improve your footwork, you can shadow box, skip, hit heavy bags, and more. 

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