The winding path for a road warrior to become world champion

By: Psychologist Diana Sosa, member of the WBC Medical Committee 

One of the most frequent questions that a boxer may have asked himself since the beginning of his career, is when will he be crowned world champion?

This question is an idea that is fixed and fixated n his mind and does not disappear many times until success, although it does not always happen that way.

From the moment a boxer begins his career until he is crowned champion, there is a very long story ahead, full of learning and positive experiences, but also obstacles and setbacks. The Royal Spanish Academy defines patience as: “the ability to know how to wait when something is greatly desired.” So, what a boxer has to do from the very start until he achieves his goals, is to be patient, know how to wait, but always be prepared for when the big opportunity presents itself.

It will never be easy to become world champions, since there are many factors that have to be worked out and on, to be able to triumph,  including the great competition there is, how long it currently takes to have a defined date and how much you are willing to wait and tolerate all that this long process entails.

Many times, fighters compare themselves with others and think that: “If such a fighter became a world champion at a certain age” they have to go through the same thing, or that if they exceed a certain age, they will not make it, but the reality is that none of this is TRUE. No one story is the same, or similar. Everyone is different and therefore the processes will be unique.

So, it is very important that the boxer is aware that there is no determined or set time frame, in which he can become world champion. Essentially, he must always be ready, willing and above all well prepared for when that opportunity presents itself. Moment and opportunity seized. 

Paramount, that the fighter appreciates and understands that there are going to be things that do depend on him. But, in order to become a champion, there core factors involving complete preparation, good physical condition and mental strength.  Also, it doesn`t entirely depend on him. For instance, if fights are cancelled or postponed, when your rival gets sick or the show is scrapped. It is therefore recommended that you only deal with those aspects that you can directly hands on influence, in order to fully focus and avoid guilt or frustration. 

The era of each fighter is different, but what is the same for all,  is that they must muster professionalism with good nutrition, hydration, rest and adequate training, in order to advance step by step towards that long-awaited world championship.