"If Ellis dreams he beats me he better wake up and apologize."?

Question

Quote from Muhammad Ali before his fight with Jimmy Ellis in the summer of '71. How important is confidence to a boxer/fighter and why is it important?

datbury - In the case of Ali it's confidence not trash talking. Good point!

Ladies and Gentlemen I probably used that quote wrongly or out of context. I just want to know what take is on a boxer/fighters confidence and how important you think it is to them. Thanks, the answers have been good so far.

rossonero... - I learn something new everyday, thanks didn't know that Ali "stole"
that quote from Louis.

Answer 1

I think confidence is one of the most important things a boxer can have if not the most important, if you dont believe in your own ability there is no point getting in the ring because you have probably lost before you start.
I do however think that a lot of the stuff Ali said was mind games, i know he was a supremely confident person and so he should of been but when he was making comments about Foreman boxing like an Egyptian mummy or when he was calling Frazier names it was more about throwing them off their game than exuding confidence and he was probably the greatest at that as well.

Answer 2

Confidence is one of the most important things a fighter can have. If he's not sure of himself, he'll flinch with every feignt. He'll be too tense and waste energy. His mind won't be clear enough to outthink his opponent.

An example of this would be Julio Cesar Chavez after his fight with Pernell Whitaker. It was the first blemish on his record, and the negative public attention helped him to lose a lot of his confidence. This is one of the things that led to his loss to Frankie Randall the following year. It took him a few years to really gain back his edge in the ring. There are really a lot of examples of this, though, since a fighter's career can so easily be ruined once he loses his confidence.

Answer 3

As I explain to people all the time that *********, arrogance and confidence are a part of greatness. Take that away from Ali, Jordan or Tiger and what do you have.

Answer 4

Dreaming approximately snakes commonly has continuously been a image of therapeutic. The dream of a snake could mean that in case you have a ailment, you would be getting greater appropriate. yet that isn't the only factor that it skill in modern-day situations. right now we see the snake as a image of replace. like the snake sheds that is pores and skin so as that it may advance, we could desire to shed something in our lives so as that we are able to advance into something greater appropriate, greater.. the reality that that is a cobra and the different snakes at the instant are not befriending you yet attacking you and the cobra is your protector could replace the mean basically a sprint. The cobra could be a tie to India or that is faith, perhaps a guy or woman who you go at the same time with those, etc.. it may mean which you're feeling secure there in elect ever tie you may it. yet that your fears of what's to return in case you depart that protection are keeping you from transforming into and reaching your objectives. It does not propose that your going to do greater appropriate in case you smash free of that protection, it in basic terms skill which you subconsciously think of which you will desire to unfold your wings a fly!!!!! there is greater opportunities, no longer understanding you, nor being waiting to invite you questions form of limits how issues are interpreted.

Answer 5

If you're not confident as a boxer, you will tend to not utilize techniques effectively. But don't confuse trash talking with confidence. Some people talk trash to hide their fear.

Answer 6

I can't believe he plagiarized Joe Louis who said that to him when they were kidding each other about who would have beaten whom if both fighters were at their peak.... I would think confidence is everything, or maybe it's the opposite perceivable fear is the kiss of death.