In boxing mindset and mentality is more important than a lot of boxers both amateur and professional realise. You hear people in boxing saying that boxing is 50% mental and 50% physical, however at Apollo’s Boxing we believe that boxing is 100% mental, because if you don’t first think it first mentally then it never becomes physical!
The championship mentality in boxing has been seen and heard so many times over the years. Many great boxers, and fighters alike, prior to upcoming bouts have successfully and confidently predicted and discussed the outcome of their fights and how they will beat their opponents. Without such self-belief and confidence it is argued that such events would not have taken place, such as the execution of Tyson Fury’s win over Vladimir Klitchsko.
The championship mentality is also seen following a loss. Many times after losses, seen both in boxing and MMA, fighters can recognise their mistakes along with how the fight was lost. These same fighters have discussed how they will come back and overcome the defeat, displaying the true champion mindset.
One of the most notable and famous examples of the champion mindset was and continues to be Connor McGregor. The two videos below show McGregor’s extreme confidence predicting how he would defeat Jose Aldo, which was seen to come true with the events happening 13 seconds into the first round. The second video shows McGregor humbled after his loss in the UFC to Nate Diaz, McGregor displays again his champion mindset and talks of how he will avenge his otherwise crushing defeat.
In both these videos you can see how a true champion thinks before a fight takes place, and how they react if a fight is lost.
Leading up to a fight it is important you play out the fight in a positive way in your head with positive outcomes constantly being played over and visualised.
Losing a fight, basically put, is making a mistake. Mistakes happen all the way through training from your first lesson to your very last lesson, across all levels of boxing. Mistakes are not actually the problem, it is how you react to the mistake that’s the problem.
A prime example of the above was seen in one of Apollo’s Boxing student’s after losing his first six fights consecutively, but was straight back in the gym the week after back learning, training and improving. So, rather than taking the loss as a negative he let it motivate him to get better – he then won his next 10 bouts in a row, with 2 of these wins coming by incredible stoppages!
Mistakes are part of the process of learning, everything we do in life to improve ourselves is based on trial and error, we make mistakes we learn from our mistakes and we get better!
One of the things we teach at Apollo’s Boxing in Bolton is “Don’t let the mistake frustrate you, let it motivate you”.
Whether Boxing or MMA, mental preparation, competition and the reaction following the event is massively important and should not be over looked!
If you would like more information on mindset for boxing or general mindset then feel free to contact us at Apollo’s Boxing.
Anyone is welcome to come and train with us at Apollo’s Boxing in Bolton, if you are just looking to get fit or if you are looking to box amateur for our club Apollo’s Boxing and even if you just wanted to sharpen up your boxing skills for an up coming MMA or boxing bout then please contact Apollo’s Boxing and let’s get started on your own personal boxing journey.