How important is quality sparring?

[Steelie]

It's an interesting question...

Personally, I wouldn't fancy doing my learning once the first bell goes. I'd want to feel half way there in terms of understanding my opponent. That said, an almost infinite amount of fighters will train hard, get good sparring in, watch vidoes etc.......and then step into the ring on fight night and just flail away. We've all seen it, so what was the point in all those rounds tweaking and honing the tactics?

I guess on those occasions it comes down to discipline, fear, adrenaline, wanting to impress and so on.

I think it's the Ingles who advocate body sparring. I can understand the principle of not wanting fighters to get miles on the clock but at the same time I can't see the point of it either. Then again, they've had some genuine world champs out of the Wincobank, so what do I know.

[Taeth]

Like everything else it depends on the fighter, Roy Jones Jr also went really far, and often didn't have the best sparring partners.

[Howlin Mad Missy]

natural talent, hard work and a good trainer will of course take you far but put it another way, what would you choose? Quality sparring or not?

[Fenster]

Without doubt it must be a huge benefit.. especially confidence wise if you can hold your own in higher company (unless you are getting slaughtered of course )

[LEGION]

Ask Hatton

[Howlin Mad Missy]

It's also a matter of the depth of the talent pool.

[The Fightfan]

I think quality sparring is number 1. We look at Riddick Bowe I think he wouldn't have been champion unless Tyrell Biggs didn't beat the shit out of him everyday. I feel he probably wouldn't have done anything as a heavyweight.