Quote Originally Posted by miles View Post
I disagree. Fighters have the experience of getting hit on the head so know what it all feels like and of course they spar etc, but I disagree when you have people like Mayweather telling someone like Merchant that his opinion doesn't matter because he hasn't boxed. A fan is able to analyse technique and strategy from afar and some are very good at it. It is not something I can do particularly well, but there are some knowledgeable people on forums.

I certainly feel I know a lot more about boxing than Kid Thunder, but he has a darn sight more experience in the ring than I do. I think you only have to listen to George Foreman commentating to realise that even some of the greats are not so adept at analysing what is going on in the ring.
That's being good & articulate on TV, a totally different skillset. I fully agree with fighters telling a guy like Merchant about what he knows. How often does Merchant give any insight into any of the technical aspects? When Floyd Mayweather, Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones & George Foreman have all told you that you don't know what you're on about, they're probably right

Kid Thunder is not what I'm talking about. He's not had any basic amateur training, he's basically a guy off the road getting into a ring. I'm talking about at least learning the basics as an amateur. Pros don't necessarily know more, but if you've laced them up and learnt to box (not fight which is what KT trys & fails to do), you'll see different things.

I'm not saying some fans can't analyse very well, but I sincerely doubt that they've got more insight than people whose whole lives have been boxing.