Centuries ago, a heir to any throne must have been a close descendent of the current throne-holder. Most of the time, sons and daughters of the king and queen took over. The question is why? Sure they were close, but were they qualified for the job? In those days, no one dared question that idea, because it was known, that royalty flows in the veins, and only the blood of a king can rule the land.

Nowadays, we see the same thing happening: children ending up doing what their parents did and do. In Hollywood, it’s all over the place, in politics it’s even more widespread, and in academics is almost a given. Doctors come and go in generations, so do teachers and farmers. Sports also show that kind of a trend. My question, and the reason for this piece, is whether the genetics in boxing, really provide enough for the offspring to become greats and continue the family legacy.

First of all, I would like to stress the fact that a lot of genetics skip a generation if not a few. So the children might not get much from the father and mother, but more from what their grandparents or even great-grandparents carried.

There are a few boxers out there, which have successfully taken after their parents, such as Laila Ali, Tito Trinidad, Roy Jones Jr., Erik Morales etc. Muhammad Ali gave it all to his daughter: he was the greatest of all time, and she might just be in the same position as far as women’s boxing goes. Felix Trinidad Sr. & Tito Trinidad, Sr. won local titles, but their descendant Tito went further down the line. Roy Sr. fought with Marvin Hagler, and Jr. didn’t come up short. Jose Morales was a contender in the 70's, and Erik became a world champion.

There are many more to name: Spinks, Hearns, James McGirt, Stephan Pryor, Duran Jr, etc. Of the above mentioned boxers, only Spinks made it out to the big boys’ playground, while the rest never quite got there. The scenario here is the same: fathers were great boxers, champions, but the offspring lacked something. What did they lack? Why do some make it and other don’t? Is it the lack of motivation? Maybe lack of competition? Or did the genetics skip a generation?

Was Aaron Pryor not as good was Jones Sr.? Or was Tommy Hearns not good enough to compare to Trinidads? No, in my book the answer is clearly a no. So what is it? Maybe, the kids didn’t think that they could fill the shoes so to say, and didn’t even try. Or maybe their lives are cushy enough, to where they can enjoy lavish without the effort. Another possibility, and a very realistic one, is simply the fact that they did not have the fire, the “need”, and the drive to do what needed to be done, and train like their fathers and uncles did.

Mayweather Jr. was born into boxing. His father and uncle were neck deep in it, and he had no choice but to jump in as well. Boy did he do the right thing. Becoming a world known sensations is as good as it gets. But at the same time, I have noticed that his boxing is extremely natural, his training not so vigorous, and his success is very fluid and exponential. I think that Floyd’s veins are bursting from all the boxing genes ready to spill out onto out TV screens.

Just something to think about!

Thanks For Reading.

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