From my reading over the last few years of boxing blogs/websites/forums etc I've discovered that many fans struggle to properly identify certain characteristics and concepts in the best way. Among other things the word "skill" is often very poorly used in application to boxers. Let me propose some distinctions that I hope can make our discussions smoother and our misunderstandings fewer.

Talent-This word is best defined for our purposes as "a natural endowment or ability of superior quality." In other words this is a God-given gift one was born with or that developed so soon as to be indistinguishable from being born with it. Talent cannot be taught, it can only be cultivated. One cannot teach height, reach, fast hands, fast feet, natural balance, a good chin, reflexes, the ability to take punishment, stamina, agility, durability, hand-eye coordination, explosive power or the ability to learn as examples. This probably also applies to more mental/psychological concepts related to boxing including adapting to discipline, tenacity, resilience, spatial awareness, comfort with repetition and willing self-denial.

Now of course everyone has these characteristics to one degree or another, right? What makes them a talent is if the endowment is of superior quality.

Skill-The best definition here is "a trade or technique requiring special training or manual proficiency." In other words a skill is a technique that can be taught to most people. In boxing these would be basic things like a proper stance, catching the opponent's jab, slipping a punch, jabbing with both a step and stationary with a flexed knee, throwing a straight right hand, turning one's head when one closes with a foe, pushing off the right foot to step left, digging one's toes into the canvas when power punching. Just about anyone, regardless of the talent level can be acquire techniques like these.

More advanced boxing skills would include combination punching, punching while moving, shifting one's weight properly to acquire maximum torque while punching, bobbing and weaving, cutting off the ring, riding with a punch, feinting, staying balanced in transition, pivoting, maintaining optimal distance, fighting in an arc (not a straight line), identifying optimal counters for given situations and reversing a foe along the ropes. While these are more difficult, they again must be taught. Nobody is born with these traits.

But within the idea of a a "skill" there are gradations that can only be achieved by the properly taught and naturally talented. For example. It is one thing to land three consecutive hooks while staying well balanced while shadowboxing. It is another, higher level of proficiency to do so to a heavy bag, another, higher level yet to do so while sparring, another to do so while fighting an amateur, another to do so while fighting a novice professional, another, higher level to do so against a journeyman, another to do so to a contender, another to do so to a champion, another to do so to a great fighter etc. etc. etc.

In other words executing a triple hook against Arturo Gatti is not the same skill as executing it against Pernell Whittaker. In boxing, skills can ONLY be compared if one finds the level of competition or difficulty approximately constant.

That brings us to the last of these concepts, Craft. I think the most applicable definition of this for boxing approximates that of the concept of "tradecraft" in espionage; "skill in deception and trickery; guile; cunning, or skill acquired through experience." In other words this is largely a mental concept that involves the application of skill and/or talent. What do I mean? Well, throwing a left hook is an acquired skill. The power and speed involved are a talent and knowing WHEN and WHERE to throw it in a fight is Craft. Craft is understanding one's own talents and skills, as well as those of the other guy, and anticipating and applying them so as to take advantage of yours, minimize the impact of your foe's and win a given fight. BHOP realizing the way to beat Pavlik is to keep him turning and being able to make that happen is an example of craft. Juan Manuel Marquez surviving Juan Diaz's onslaught in the third round of their first fight, pinned on the ropes but catching punches like he was working the mitts while thinking of the right way to beat this guy was craft.

Intentionally missing with a punch to get a guy to move to a certain spot so you can land the punch you really want to is craft. Seeing a referee is on the right side and landing a hip shot on the other is craft. Joe Walcott feinting before he threw a left hook for six rounds and then in the seventh throwing it without a feint and KOing Ezzard Charles is craft. Ray Robinson retreating, retreating, retreating against LaMotta in 1951 because he knew Lamotta's legs going forward weren't as good as his own going backwards, and the more he made Jake move the better he'd have it was craft.

Craft, like skill, can only be measured by the quality of competition faced. Outcrafting Arturo Gatti isn't the same thing as outcrafting Pernell Whittaker.

Let me finish with some examples. Roy Jones had immense talent, mediocre skill for a top fighter, but decent craft. He knew what he could do in his prime. But when his talents waned? He fell off a cliff. Pernell Whittaker had great talent and exceptional defensive skill which he demonstrated against Julio Cesar Chavez and Azumah Nelson. Juan Manuel Marquez and BHOP really aren't extraordinary athletic or boxing talents. What they have are exceptional skills and exceptional craft. They have some things they do well and they find ways to make the other guy play their game. They aren't remotely in their physical primes in terms of talent. But skills and craft survive.

FWIW