Will or Skill ?

[Dizaster]

I can't think of this question without picturing most Mayweather fights... That is will vs skill.... Floyd makes other fighters will look completely useless...

So straight down the line I would have to say that having skill is more valuable over the long haul...
I have also seen plenty of bouts though where will has carried boxers through to some of the greatest wins in boxing... So it a trait that I always want in a champion... And boxing certainly wouldn't be what it is without the endless fighters that have unbeleivable strong will's to get through 12 gruelling rounds and still be putting in the same effort as round 1.

[Dizaster]

Fact is, will is only useful if it's the will to learn, develop and adapt.

Reliance on Will will see a fighter set up for glorious failure.
Reliance on Skill will see a fighter extended to the limits of his skill and beyond.

The most important thing you have in the boxing ring is your mind. You need to exercise good judgement, analyse quickly and make informed decisions in split seconds.

So I'd turn down both will and skill in favour of a boxing brain, which would serve me with the mental capacity to develop skill and the desire to develop great will.

Quoted for awesomeness.

I agree with that.. Chalk one up for Donny in the reps owed department..

I still think you'll be a great candidate to take over the "ask the trainer" section one day

[donnydarkoIRL]

Fact is, will is only useful if it's the will to learn, develop and adapt.

Reliance on Will will see a fighter set up for glorious failure.
Reliance on Skill will see a fighter extended to the limits of his skill and beyond.

The most important thing you have in the boxing ring is your mind. You need to exercise good judgement, analyse quickly and make informed decisions in split seconds.

So I'd turn down both will and skill in favour of a boxing brain, which would serve me with the mental capacity to develop skill and the desire to develop great will.

Quoted for awesomeness.

I agree with that.. Chalk one up for Donny in the reps owed department..

I still think you'll be a great candidate to take over the "ask the trainer" section one day

Ha I'm not so sure about that.
I've got a lot to learn, but thanks mate.

[Shamrock]

Fact is, will is only useful if it's the will to learn, develop and adapt.

Reliance on Will will see a fighter set up for glorious failure.
Reliance on Skill will see a fighter extended to the limits of his skill and beyond.

The most important thing you have in the boxing ring is your mind. You need to exercise good judgement, analyse quickly and make informed decisions in split seconds.

So I'd turn down both will and skill in favour of a boxing brain, which would serve me with the mental capacity to develop skill and the desire to develop great will.

Thanks for the reply's guys. Some great ones... this being my favourite. A few of you added a 3rd dimension to the equation - the boxing brain. It's put a whole new spin on the question for me.

Cheers fellas

[RozzySean]

It takes will to produce skill, so really they're both important.

True, but there is a difference between the will/dedication it takes to get skill and the will/heart it takes spar and compete.

It's a continuum. If a guy with more heart that skill gets in with a more skilled guy with less heart, a guy who gets hesitant once you hit him hard, the less skilled guy can impose his will if the skill gap isn't too big and if the gap in will/heart is significant. If the guy is so much more skilled that the guy with tons of will, the will won't become a factor.

[Hulk]

I'd rather be Roy Jones Jr. any day over Micky Ward.
Lets put it that way. lol.

[RozzySean]

I'd rather be Roy Jones Jr. any day over Micky Ward.
Lets put it that way. lol.

Yeah, me too, but I'd rather root for Micky Ward than Roy Jones Jr, but I'd rather be Micky Ward than Zab Judah, even though Micky lost to Zab.

[Andre]

I'd rather be Roy Jones Jr. any day over Micky Ward.
Lets put it that way. lol.

Yeah thats the way around I was thinking as well.
depends on how you read the question too, there are two ways and three answers if you combine the two, Umm , I think.

[El Kabong]

What about Joe Frazier, Evander Holyfield, or Rocky Marciano Will vs Skill

[Chris Nagel]

I see what you mean Lyle, while I also think that Marciano wouldn't have gotten far without the skills that went along with his style.

Rocky did go up against guys that were more experienced and skilled than him though, examples being Walcott, Charles, and Moore. He did have that special forces, take-no-prisoners attitude that allowed him to give his opponents hell for how ever long that it would take, even if it meant going through hell himself.

Tough, strong willed bastard, + super cutman, and superb trainer = next to unstoppable. One hell of a combination. Although Rocky wasn't at a lack for skill, he certainly could have used more of it.

Anyway I don't see how will and skill can be compared on absolute terms. You'll find fighters that had a lot of both, Carlos Monzon, Emile Griffith, Ezzard Charles, ad infinitum. Now if you have a high level of both, you can triumph over the competition.