sparring is very very important, it does not matter how much natural talent you have without sparring you are in trouble.

It is one thing to be able to move and adjust but another when actuual punches are coming at you,

EG- Southpaws

Orthodox Fighters have trouble with southpaws due to the fact everything is coming at them in different angles then used to, they also have trouble in learning to keepo their lead foot in the right place, jabs are not the key to fighting southpaws lead rights are but if you are not used to throwing lead rights you are going to have trouble all night

practice it with a moving target that is throwing back at you then that is a different experience all together

anyone who thinks sparring is not important is not someone I would listen to