Is the lifestyle of a newbie boxer a big factor in molding his boxing career?

[reis]

He came from one of the following backgrounds:

1. a boy who works in a factory doing heavy labor

2. a boy working in the open fields carrying sugar cane

3. a son of a boxing champion

4. a rich boy with all the passion in boxing

5. a late bloomer with all experiences from fist fights and brawls

6. from another sports discipline

and the list goes on . . .

will this decide the making of a future boxing champion? or will it be just one of a few factors determining it? opinions, thanks.

 

[John S]

There are boxers who fit everything you just wrote down.

1. Edison Miranda. Orphan at age 7 and by age 12 was working a tough manual labor job at a construction site. He has a pig punch that is assumed to be because of his work.

2. Several early black heavyweight boxers from the early 1900's.

3. Too many to name. There were also people who were good contenders that had notable sons. Floyd Mayweather Sr and Floyd Jr. Felix Trinidad Sr and Jr. Ray Mancini and his dad. Wilfred Benetiz and his father. Many more as well.

4. Marco Antonio Barrera. It was thought to be strange that a kid with rich lawyer parents who grew up in a wealthy Mexican neighborhood would choose to get punched in the face for a living. But he did and look at his amazing career.

5. Mark Medal. He never had an amateur boxing career and turned pro after a pro boxing trainer saw him beat up a bully in a bar one night. He won the IBF title briefly. Jack Dempsey also had many bar fights before entering a boxing gym.

6. Tom Zbikowski is one who comes to my mind. He is in the NFL and has had two pro boxing fights. Rocky Marciano also attempted to be a pro baseball player before picking up boxing.

Lastly you can have a hard life but ultimately you need to train hard and dedicate your life to it.