How exactly do fighters get ruined after wars?

[AddiX]

Do you think Bernard Hopkins ruined Felix Trinidad, in the way you described?

It's possible..

Really I think its more likely Bhop just flst took his confidence and pride and desire. I also think Trinidad was overrated before that fight. He fought a lot of smaller guys.

[Isaac Hunt]

It is physical, mental and emotional. There is a lot of commitment that goes into being a professional fighter. Huge sacrifices have to be made in the build up towards a fight and there is a huge amount of pressure leading to mood swings and anxiety which is draining and has to be coped with. All this takes a toll and it never gets easier,some fighters cope with it better than others but over time it will accumulate take it's toll.
Then there is a really tough fight where the fighter will have to endure more than he will think he could cope with having to dig into deep into physical ,emotional and mental reserves.
There can be physical damage where the brain gets knocked around the skull. After a really tough fight the central nervous system may not be the same and not function at the same level and fighter may intuitively know it and know it is just not there any more.
There can come a point where the fighter has had enough and is done and just does not want it any more, a really tough fight can make a fighter change his outlook especially if he loses and goes into a downward spiral. Certain fighters who have a huge amount of belief and a sense of invincibility can not come to terms with a loss and a beating,their confidence can be shattered after a grueling war and just can't get back mentally or emotionally to where they once were.They can no longer fool themselves that they are invincible Hatton is a great example of this. Like it or not fighters are human and humans can only take so much abuse before something cracks.

[LoadedWraps]

Doesn't the human body repair itself? Just take some time off, eat good food, relax, and you'll be 100 percent, right?

This topic is very interesting to me.

How come boxers can't let their body heal and everything's fine?

A lot of people say the first Margarito fight permanently took something out of Cotto. Something he will never get back.

Massive punishment, and they get broken mentally.

Look at Broner and Ortiz, two fighters that stepped in the ring with Maidana and will never be the same. Ever.

[Bitter End]

The body is delicate. It can't just take right hands and left hooks like it's nothing. Look at all the MMA fighters who get ruined. Brain damage. Too many blows to the head!

[BHopp]

it's definitely a case by case basis. too many fans are quick to pull the "ruined" card every time a fighter is in a tough fight.

[jas]

Posters have said it all

Also confidence goes and doubt kicks in so you cave in more easily

[soul_survivor]

Doesn't the human body repair itself? Just take some time off, eat good food, relax, and you'll be 100 percent, right?

This topic is very interesting to me.

How come boxers can't let their body heal and everything's fine?

A lot of people say the first Margarito fight permanently took something out of Cotto. Something he will never get back.

There's certain things a body can not recover from, too many wars = too much wear and tear, the muscles are damaged, ligaments, joints, they all suffer and as age wears on, the physical ability to push on in a war is no longer there.

However, many times, it is the psychological issue, the fact that a fighter may feel he doesn't want to go to that dark place any longer, he has been there too many times and he starts to feel afraid, unwilling to take his body and essentially his life to those limits ever again.

[Weebler I]

In short, the damage is often permanent.

[Aztekkas]

There's certain things a body can not recover from, too many wars = too much wear and tear, the muscles are damaged, ligaments, joints, they all suffer and as age wears on, the physical ability to push on in a war is no longer there.

However, many times, it is the psychological issue, the fact that a fighter may feel he doesn't want to go to that dark place any longer, he has been there too many times and he starts to feel afraid, unwilling to take his body and essentially his life to those limits ever again.

Good post. That's when we get the "gun shy" fighters who are afraid to throw at all after going through a war in his previous fight. Physical trauma can shake a mans spirit and leech away his confidence.

[alexguiness]

Most boxing is 90% mental.

Once someone breaks your will, its hard to maintain the same level.

Like falling out of love with someone...