We seen lots of time online watching videos and reading comments. I have gone a step further and posted lots of boxing training and boxing coaching videos. Posting boxing videos does not make me a boxing expert. However, spending a lifetime doing and teaching boxing certainly gives me lots of experience that I hope comes across in the videos that I post.
Over the course of posting these hundreds of boxing coaching videos I have received literally thousands upon thousands of comments. I am very fortunate, I’d say that 95%+ of these comments are positive, or insightful, or inquisitive. However, I have come to the conclusion that there is an interesting character of comment that can signify that you are dealing with, not a boxing expert, but a boxing bullshitter. I will cover 3 of the types of boxing bullshitters here.
#1 Bullshit Baffles Brains
Coined by British Army officers during the Second World War, ‘bullshit baffles brains’ is the principle that if you make your position sound overly-complex and throw in a few words of jargon then people generally won’t say “I don’t get it, I have no clue what you are talking about.”
Whilst the ‘bullshit baffles brains’ principles can often be used by people who do actually know what they are talking about, in my experience its more often used by those who definitely don’t. It’s ignorant people spouting nonsense but doing it in a very confident manner. And that overconfidence bias that they are demonstrating often means that there is no point wasting too much energy on challenging them.
#2 Mr Incisive
This is the person who uses terse, short and direct statements. Sometimes it’s only two words, often an adjective and verb: bad footwork, weak jab, loose defense. Anyone can criticise in general terms, but providing proper insight to help someone improve requires more effort.
Mean, moody and magnificent? Not so much. Beer in one hand, burger in the other and spot-welded to the couch.
#3 Multi Domain Master
The third example of being able to distinguish between a boxing expert and a boxing bullshitter is potentially the most controversial, but bear with me.
I am a boxing coach. I am not a kick-boxing coach. I am not a Muay Thai coach. I’m not a self-defence expert (in fact a boxing coach is probably the last type of combat sport coach from which you should seek self defence advice).
Of course there are some common elements across these areas that in an adult, humble and generous interaction we can share and understand. I’m all for learning across the disciplines, taking elements from one sport and seeing if they can work in another. But, the idea that you should go to a boxing coach and trash what is being taught on the basis that it would not work in another discipline is nuts. The same the other way around.
If you have a toothache, don’t go to a podiatrist. If you need an eye test, don’t go to a physiotherapist. If you want to learn to be a soldier, don’t go to a Call of Duty gamer.
I suppose the point I am trying to make is as much about the ways in which we interact, how we should try to be respectful, how we should be in the business of helping each other understand our respective worlds a bit better. If I am a boxing expert, then I want that expertise to be used to help others achieve whatever goals they have set for themselves.
I hope that all of this goes to help you distinguish the boxing bullshitters from the boxing experts, and when you identify the boxing bullshitter you should be careful how much emotional energy you waste dealing with them.
Cheers
Fran
by 
Keep going never give up because you are loving+helping yourself and others thats what very important in this life, love you for what your doing ❤❤
Thank you Poai, that’s really kind 👍
I dunno Fran, don’t downplay yourself…I believe you’re a boxing master or expert, or at least you’re as close as one can get! 👍 Thanks for another great article. 😊
Thanks Dan, really appreciate that pal
I still do the “Over-55s” class at Holmes Chapel Boxing Club. Musing on the finer points of Boxing Technique, I reckon I got a sudden insight into why Karate Kata are regarded as so important. Clearly, the kicks in Karate put the two opponents alot further away. Whereas Victorian Boxers were close enough to try throwing techniques when they got into a clinch. Otherwise, they’re the same only different…
Hi Frank. Interesting that you have that background in Karate and you see the overlap. Someone like me would never make that connection, and that’s the benefit of being open to insights from across the disciplines 👍
Hi Fran, as you’ve pointed out we meet these type of people in everyday life. Whether it’s training, work or down the pub. Regarding the 3rd type. I trained and taught in Muay Thai for over 15 years, and one of our rules was, don’t disrespect other forms of martial art/combat We took that seriously. I switched to karate as I got older and could see the advantages and disadvantages between them.
Cheers Paul. It makes sense to have that respect regardless of the chosen martial art. With you having moved into boxing coaching that multi-discipline background definitely plays into the knowledge that you can pass on 👍
Absolutely agree Fran. I saw one awhile back and he clearly fit into the first and second category. He was virtually yelling in a gruff manner. As if to affirm his expertise. I told him so in the comments.
Thanks for your comment Pug, hope you are well. Yes, these types often try far too hard to defend the indefensible – I think it’s that overconfidence bias at play, not willing to just say “Never knew that, we learn something new every day!”
What interesting points you have made, and never a truer word spoken, come across these comments many times myself in the karate world. It’s also a really good point that there are so many coaching points that you cover that apply very much to karate
Sparring and training. You are an excellent, intelligent coach, really enjoy your videos and coaching materials. Cheers Steve
Thanks so much Steve.
It’s always really nice to have the stuff I do appreciated by people. It’s even better when it’s appreciated by people who teach people! We know the challenges and the positives. I genuinely think that coaching helps us become a more rounded and ‘better’ people, so we get as much out of it as the students…makes it much easier to roll your eyes and be patient with those who know no better. Thanks again Steve👍
Hi Fran,
”Everybody wants what you’ve got, but nobody wants to give what you gave to get it”.
An example…
A mature and we’ll written article Fran, nicely thought out and reasoned. Not a rant or a means to put down anyone in particular. Probably took you a long time to figure out how to express your feelings in a meaningful way and give us some insight through your experiences.
How much time does it take to write “That would never work in Muay Thay”.
Nice work coach, thanks 👊
True that Andy
It did take a bit of time to get my mindset on this down accurately. Obviously I like boxing more, that goes without saying because it’s my chosen craft, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t appreciate the effort people put in to master their chosen craft. As you say, throwaway comments are easy but seldom helpful. Cheers pal.