How important is a fighter's corner?

Question

Last night on "5 reasons you can't blame Mike Tyson for losing to Buster Douglas" they had his corner at #3. It seems to me, a pro fighter should be able to pick out his own weaknesses as well as his opponents.

Answer 1

The importance of the corner, to some degree, depends on the fighter and even the opponent.  Guys like Futch and Dundee were able to adjust to styles and change fight plans on a moment's notice.  Its very important to help the fighter make that adjustment.  

In the case of Tyson,  He really NEEDED Kevin that night.  Rooney is a bit overrated as a trainer.  However, he had something no other trainer had with Mike.  He worked well with Mike.   Im surprised that Arron Showell didnt know enough to use enswell on Mike's eye.  He's a con artist and couldn't carry Dundee's jock strap (Kevin's either for that matter), but he was no novice to the sport, having worked with other heavyweight boxers.  

Where Snowell whispered how well Mike was doing (dont wanna upset the cash flow),  Mike was lost.  Kevin would have been in Mike's face.  He would light a fire under Mike's but and push him to do what he should.  The problem is that the ''homeboys'' couldn't make Mike train and they were ill prepared to help him when he was in deep trouble.  The best they could do is use a condom full of water and whisper to Mike.  My mom and aunt could do better.  

Those other hoodlums Mike had in his corner certainly knew nothing about what should be done when your fighter is loosing.   SOMEONE benefited by Mike's loss that night.  Everything just seemed wrong and Mike was in deep water ALONE.  

I blame Mike more than the clowns he dragged around with him.    When the Nation of Islam tried to get rid of Dundee,  Ali stood up to them and flatly told them  "Angelo Stays, Period".   You cant always be the boss as the fighter.  Ali was and Mike had the position and personal backing to do so as well.    That's the big difference between those two and the number one reason why Mike would never have beaten ALi.  Ali was his own man.  Mike followed whichever con artist told him the best line of BS.  

Those guys should be locked up for impresonating cornermen.  The corner is very important but part of it depends on the fighter as well.  Leonard did well without Dundee, late in his career.  He would clearly have done better WITH Dundee.  It's sad the way he parted ways because Andelo has always been loyal to his fighters.

It helps to have a good work relationship with your fighter.  Ali was just a good looking boy named Cassius when he met Dundee.  Because Ali was loyal and honored the fact that Angelo was with him BEFORE the legendary days,  Dundee is as much a responsible part of the legend of Ali as anyone else could ever claim.  Ali was loyal.  So was  Angelo.   Sometimes, that makes a big difference.

Answer 2

Overall, the fighter has the most influence by far, of course. But the people in the corner do have an influence on many things, on how the boxer fights, how they patch him up, what drinks etc and how much they give him, so it does have a large effect.

Answer 3

yes who works your corner is important. there are times when the difference between winning and losing is made by the quality of the cut man and advice given by the fighters trainer.

Answer 4

Very important, they can motivate you and give you different angles you might not be able to see

Answer 5

oh yea the cutman is vital. also sometimes your trainer can see what u cant and help you adjust. u may think u have the right tactic and it may not be. also, the trainer can keep u on course or reaffirm what ur doing is right. ultimately though, the onus is the fighter to perform and adapt to the fight