The "12th Round Syndrome"

[Gallegos Boxing Gym]

It is a bizarre thing. And totally mental.

Something about the light at the end of the tunnel that energizes people. In the middle of a fight, that same risk-taking you see in the 12th round is more daunting. In the 12th, a fighter knows he only has to soldier through 3 minutes. He doesn't do it before because he's scared. It has to stem from insecurity, not wanting to be in a fight where he is fighting dead-tired or hurt.

Fighters coming on like gangbusters in the final round is an act of pseudo-bravery. It only serves to highlight the lily-livered approach of the previous 11 rounds. It's a face-saving act, to leave a good impression and show they are good fighters, just ones who didn't have the wherewithal to do that for the whole fight.

It's all tied in with the light at the end of the tunnel theory, the "leave a final good impression" code, and the childish need to cover up whatever mess you made.

[TitoFan]

It is a bizarre thing. And totally mental.

Something about the light at the end of the tunnel that energizes people. In the middle of a fight, that same risk-taking you see in the 12th round is more daunting. In the 12th, a fighter knows he only has to soldier through 3 minutes. He doesn't do it before because he's scared. It has to stem from insecurity, not wanting to be in a fight where he is fighting dead-tired or hurt.

Fighters coming on like gangbusters in the final round is an act of pseudo-bravery. It only serves to highlight the lily-livered approach of the previous 11 rounds. It's a face-saving act, to leave a good impression and show they are good fighters, just ones who didn't have the wherewithal to do that for the whole fight.

It's all tied in with the light at the end of the tunnel theory, the "leave a final good impression" code, and the childish need to cover up whatever mess you made.

Very well put.