Friday, October 17, 2008

The Science Of Managment : He ought to create a manual.

Here's a real good read on the right way to move a fighter courtesy of Steve Kim's column.

http://maxboxing.com/Kim/Kim101508.asp

Cameron Dunkin obviously gets it. To maximize his fighters potential he keeps them busy and active on all kinds of shows. Placing the fighter on the shelf and waiting for the big fight and pay day spells disaster as they stagnate.

I'm a firm believer and know that proper management along with training is what makes or breaks a fighter. I'm not just talking match making here but fight activity and getting the fighter on the right shows to maximize his fan base and earning potential for the long haul.

Dunkin is old school all the way and when I get involved with managing fighters I'll take the same approach. The fact that Luevano had over 30 fights before he fought for the title is rare today. This is what it takes though to last as champ and not be a flash in the pan champion.

Dunkin moves his fighters as they develop. They develop more by the way they are moved. As much as there is a science to the art of boxing, management is an art and science in itself. Pavlik who is managed by Dunkin is another example of a fighter doing it right. Kelly wasn't rushed bought brought along right. He was allowed to develop into the devastating fighter he now is.

Fighting Hopkins is a smart managerial move. Kelly only benefits in the long haul for what he learns in fighting Hopkins. No active fighter today has Bernard's old school tactics and experience. I would jump at the opportunity to have my fighter take from that too.

So keep in mind that when you see a fighter make it to the top while displaying staying power, there's usually more than talent that got him there. It's often the brilliant management behind the scenes that's just as impressive and important.

*** BTW *** I'm taking Pavlik Saturday night. I think Kelly will be too much for Bernard to handle late in the fight. Too many people are getting wrapped up in Bernard's words and past experience of him shutting down another power puncher in Trinidad.

If Bernard punched as much as he talked I think he could pull off the upset. He just doesn't punch anymore and his activity in shutting down Trinidad was key in that upset. Defense alone doesn't win you fights. You have to punch to score. Hopkins will early until he gets hit hard. Then just as he showed against pillow punching slap happy Calzaghe, he'll fight to survive when the going gets tough. Bernard was Bernard when he was the executioner. That's who we all respected. That's also who's not in the ring anymore either.

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