Is technical skill overrated in the higher weights?

[VG_Addict]

How much does technical skill really matter in the higher weights where one punch can turn a whole fight around?

[Manju]

For one, you need "technical skill" to avoid that "one punch". Secondly, you need technical skill...specifically a jab, among other things...to land that one punch cleanly.

Otherwise, we'd all be talking about how Foreman wupped Ali, or how Earnie Shavers was the Greatest.

[Silkeyjoe]

Very important. That's why Klits are so dominant they are technically better then everyone else as well as having natural athletic ability and great physical attributes

[FinitoElDinamita]

Imo technicall skills are an esssential as a pro redardless of one's size but we can also argue that as much isn't needed in the higher divisions, HWs in particular.

Bigger fighters usually have power so they often become dependent on it and don't progress technically.

Smaller guys lack power so they must hone their skills to make up for that lack of power.

That's why I love watching the guys in the lower weight divisions like 126 and down. They are that much more skilled as far as boxing ability, combination punching , defense are concerned.

To answer this question, I think different skills are necessary as a HW fighter. The klits may not appear to be skilled but knowing how to utilize what you are born with itself is skills and that makes them very skilled.

Bigger fighters aren't as fluid in their movement so I really wouldn't expect them to execute in the same way as a flyweight for instance.

Skills are not overrated but it requires different types as u go up

[justaguy]

I think that the purpose is to say that when you have one-punch power, then technical skill is not as important.

However, I think that the point was made that the avoidance of the one-punch power guy's best punch is sometimes enough at the higher levels, and therefore I do think that technical skill outweighs power without skill IF combined with conditioning. The issue to me is that some of the higher weight fighters are not well conditioned enough to continue to box and move as they should... then they sit still - and they become a target for a guy with a huge punch.

Look at Samuel Peter... he really didn't have great technical skills and he NEARLY took that to a championship. But he fell just short... in part because he really couldn't throw a good, straight punch. Had he not looped his punches, we would have been talking about him holding the title and whether or not Wlad would change even under Manny's direction, because you can't train chins. As it was, Wlad threw the better, straighter punches and he won that fight.

Huge punches are great and, sometimes, are great equalizers. However, there is a ceiling that you will eventually reach without good all-around technical skills in my opinion.

[boyla]

You have to be technically competent, proficient.
You do not need to be technically perfect.

From your statement, if at heavier weights, a boxer can have knockout power in one punch, does technique not matter as much.

If he is not technically sound, he will not transfer the weight behind the punch so is not being efficient at punching, not maximizing his power.

If he doesn't have technique in his footwork he will not be able to move in to a position to land the punch.
If he has a flawed technique he may be off balance to defend a counter or deliver a follow up punch.

You also need technique to avoid or block a punch. As Manju stated.

Not every one is going to move or punch identically to another boxer, and there will be variations in a left hook for example.
But if you don't have the basic technique you will be making life very difficult for yourself.

[Jimanuel Boogustus]

I'd say proper conditioning at heavyweight is vastly underrated.

[greynotsoold]

At any weight class, one punch can turn a fight around or end it. Happens less with smaller guys because they tend to be better fighters. Technical skill and boxing intelligence tend to be rare among HWs; big and dumb and all that.

[Master]

Technical skill is important at the higher weights people like Wilder cannot flourish on power alone. They would eventually be exposed.

[El Kabong]

OK, I'm going to do my best Teddy Atlas......

You want to get from point A to point B and having technical ability is like having a GPS. If you miss a turn you can recalculate how to get there, if your opponent is blocking your path that technical ability gives you the knowledge to find a detour around that defense and BANG! Reach your destination, which is your opponent on the mat for a 10 count!


So basically you can have the biggest baddest weapons ever but if you can't get from A to B then once you fight a guy who has knowledge of how to box or can take and/or nullify your weapons then you're going to be screwed. There's all kinds of big punchers who have been just demolished by pure boxers.

[Memphis]

Its not overrated but people aren't particularly interested in it. You're Joe Bloggs tuning in to a heavyweight fight. Do you want to see a chess match between two technically gifted fighters or two less skilled guys smash lumps off of one another for a few rounds. I know which I'd prefer. The purists amongst us may say the former but they will be in the overwhelming minority.

Get half a dozen guys at the same time who are right hard cunts and skilled at the same time then you're laughing. We don't got that right now.

[Spicoli]

If anything I'd say power at heavier weights can be overstated. Power isn't anything unless you can likewise read it, roll it and avoid it. Gears, you have to have gears and a plan B and count on your opponent knowing the whole damn alphabet. People love raw power and a good conclusive ko but there is a lot of satisfaction in breaking a guy down and gradually busting him up. I think some heavyweights get a pass at times with the ko and effect. It's understandable but honestly any weight chucking bricks but not boxing polished can have the same effect in hundreds of random 6 rounders.

[Beanflicker]

Technical skill is essential at any weight, I just think there is a different type of "technical skill" at different weights.

Obviously, a heavyweight can't fight like a welterweight. It doesn't work ergonomically. A larger body burns more energy and oxygen with motion than a smaller body.

It can be argued that, with the added danger of heavyweight punching power, technical skills are even more important.