is there a such thing as natural talent

[lynwood1]

my father told me this one story of a cuban boxer who started boxing at the age of 40 and started winning alote of championships in mexico against great mexican boxers. is there a such thing as natural talent. meaning no matter what age you start you can be great becuase all the moves come naturally to you? or is that just a myth? thanks

[spaceballwon]

yeah, natural talent is out there, i dont really think it has to do with age or anything...everyone has natural inclinations and it is up to you to find them and make the most of them, that is how greatness happens, especially with boxing. a lot of things can be taught and a lot of things cant be taught, speed and TRUE power for example can only be developed to a certain degree, therefore you could consider those natural talents.

[Douglas]

Yes and no. Talent all depends on how much you want it. Two athletes can train to be boxers. One of them loves boxing and enjoys it very much, and the other one doesn't care too much about it. They can train the same amount of hours, train under the same routine, under the same trainer, etc. I guarantee you the one that loves boxing will be in much better shape and be a much better boxer than the one who doesn't care for it. It's all about passion and love for the sport, not neccesarily talent.

[Trainer Monkey]

Yes and no
Even a guy with natural skills,need refinement and training
There are guys out there,that have skill gifted by god,but have loses on their record for whatever reason
Grant,Bowe,Mosely,Trinidad,all like god built his own boxer in their prime
And they all fell down at some point
Then you have a guy like Hopkins,late start at boxing,slowish hands
But he works harder at it then anyone in the buisness
Even when he loses,you leave not being %100 sure he lost

[Chris Nagel]

This is sport where only a tiny percent make it to the contender level. I don't think that talent is in every guy that walks in a gym. Look at Freddy Roach as a pro, he trained very hard, had a good trainer, could take a punch but couldn't beat a guy like Camacho.

You have people that haven't realized their own talents. You also have talented fighteres that are sabotaged by trainers or bad managers/promoters. But I guarantee if you ask most well to do trainers they'd rather have the fighter with a tremendous work ethic than Mr. Talent.

[Scrap]

Interesing debate, and youll never put your finger on it theres so many impondrables. I had a kid who literaly lived the life technically was good and probably P for P the hardest hitter Ive had. He lived Boxing in the gym hed spar anyone never coming second, he was a joy. Talent wise he had it, get him a fight he would go to peaces. Because in his mind he couldnt afford to loose to become champ to him that was the crux of his life and he couldnt live with it. It bacame an obsession. He had a winning record but couldnt handle the Big occasion. He was the only kid Ive worked with that never won a title and it wasnt for the lack of trying

[spaceballwon]

This is sport where only a tiny percent make it to the contender level. I don't think that talent is in every guy that walks in a gym. Look at Freddy Roach as a pro, he trained very hard, had a good trainer, could take a punch but couldn't beat a guy like Camacho.

You have people that haven't realized their own talents. You also have talented fighteres that are sabotaged by trainers or bad managers/promoters. But I guarantee if you ask most well to do trainers they'd rather have the fighter with a tremendous work ethic than Mr. Talent.

roach is a great example. in fact, in this generation, perhaps the best example of someone who just didn't have it. he still met with moderate success strictly through work ethic and smarts and balls of steel. there's a fighter at my gym that has roy jones speed w/ shane mosleys aggressive work rate and prince naseems athletic charisma and movement. horrid work ethic. comes to the gym once every six months, kicks the shit out of everyone, then disappears into legal troubles and social distress for 6 months. he is the prime example i have seen of natural talent.
conclusion:
freddie roach did more in boxing than this dude will do. it is what you make of it.

[Scrap]

The old saying Champions are born and then Made seems to ring true.

[donnydarkoIRL]

I believe there is, but without the mentality, natural ability is worthless in the long run

[silent assassin]

There's definitely natural talent/ability. Most people has heard the ol' saying "you can't teach speed". Natural talent/ability is a great thing to have in fighting or any sport. But it takes alot more than that to excel in the ring.

[Sugar_Shaw]

I don't think people are born with talent but i do think people are born with the correct genes for the physical attributes that after some technical work can become great talents.

[Scrap]

Sugar well put cc

[Trainer Monkey]

The old saying Champions are born and then Made seems to ring true.

Certainly does,have a CC

[Scrap]

Have one yourself

[Trainer Monkey]

Have one yourself

Very succint(sp) way of putting it
Guy can have every ounce of natural skills on earth,but if he wont take to training,you end up feeling like your pounding your head in to a brick wall.
Michael Grant is a perfect example