By Hernan Cortez: One fact has remained true in boxing since it conception. Boxers make boxing, and these athletes are what we fixate most of our attention to analyzing. However, there has been a variable sometimes overlooked by critics and fans alike, the trainer.
Yes, the trainer has been a key aspect of most boxers’ molding and success or failures. The past greats are too many to list but my personal favorite has long been Constantine “Cus” D’Amato. What D’Amato did for greats like Patterson and Tyson etched them into minds of fans, and pages of history laying tracks for trainers for years to come. Today we have a list of trainers who some may argue are better than the past greats. Certainly Freddie Roach comes to mind for his sculpting and harnessing of Manny Pacquiao in recent years. His efforts seem to have elevated Pacquiao to near god status among some fans. But let’s not forget the talents of Nacho Berenstain. He trained both Marquez brothers for breathtaking performances. Including Juan Manuel’s controversial fights with Pacquiao that lead many to claim that the Marquez/Berenstain matching was on even terms with Pacquiao/ Roach.
How about the living legend Emanuel Steward? His resume includes Cesar Chavez, and Thomas Hearns, as well as current greats Miguel Cotto and Wladimir Klitschko. He may arguably be the best in the business or at least the most seasoned. Nasim Richardson cannot be left out of the conversation. His efforts, and mentoring has made Bernard Hopkins look like an immortal. Richardson walks and talks like a guru to whom anyone gains some insight into the sport, if not life in general. It would not be a discussion of current great trainers without mentioning the self-proclaimed best trainers ever. I mean of course the Mayweathers, and although it is Floyd senior who made the claim to be the best, both he and Roger have created the best defensive fighter in the sport. Whether you agree with the assertion or not, you have to be as humbled as an opponent when you watch Floyd Jr. out box everyone he has ever faced. I have been recently very awed by the pugilistic methods of Robert Garcia. Officially, Brandon Rios is has arrived, and Robert Garcia is to be credited with this fact.
Although the action takes place during the rounds, and no one can argue with that, most of the emotion lays in the corner in between rounds. Most casual fans will get up to run to the bathroom or grab a refreshment during these moments, but I would beckon you to sit and watch the drama in the corner. Its more the narrative to any fight then the talents of the commentators. Trainers scold or praise their fighters, and the greats know exactly which to apply when the perfect match between trainer and boxer is found. This is my argument, that it is not the pure athleticism of the boxer, and it is not the pure knowledge of the trainer, it is that magic of the perfect combination. A combination of student and pupil found again, and again throughout boxing history, repeated in every generation. That coupling of warrior and general that wins wars inside the ring, and leads to debate as to who is the best. So, who is the best out there everyone, who the best pairing at the moment, and who will be remembered as the greatest boxer/trainer matchup for years to come? There is no obvious answer in my opinion but I will say this, a perfect record may, whether you admit it or not, be the best indicator of the perfect combination.
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