Ultimately, the fighter is most responsible for the trajectory of their career, but I think that trainers can make a definite impact. Case in point Tommy Hearns and Emmanuel Stewart. Could the Hitman been as good with another trainer? Possibly, but Manny turned a skinny kid into a devastating puncher boxer. Also, just recently Floyd Mayweather in a moment of candor admitted that he needed to go back to his dad and refocus on his defensive style after taking too many punches from Cotto. Could Floyd continue to be great regardless, probably, but given his fight plans and the training from Robert Mayweather, Floyd was standing and trading with fighters. Had he gone into a match with Canelo planning to trade, he might be in trouble. At this point, with the style that he brought back into the Guerrero fight, Canelo will have a difficult time.

Trainers have different roles. For successful veteran fighter, the trainer is not as impactful. He basically just needs to keep the fighter on track on his training, prep, and study.

Now for a guy just starting or a journeyman the trainer is crucial. These guys really know the tricks, counters and strategy these fighters need to be better. Boxing is a science and these guys may not be able to fight or fight anymore but the are the teachers and the guys who take, carry and pass all the lessons down to the next generation.

A young fighter has no chance without a knowledgeable trainer to teach him.

All depends on the fighter in question. Muhammad Ali would have been an all-time great, regardless of who trained him. Tyson, on the other hand, never would have amounted to anything in boxing without the tutelage of Cus D'Amato.

They deserve credit that much to be honest. They propelled someone to greatness. The coaches, no matter who, started it all. An automobile, no matter how gorgeous, needs a starter.

i personally in most cases don't really think that who the trainer is matters too much, and that great fighters would be great no matter what. I guess its different when you have trainers who have taken a guy from youth and been with him his entire fighting life, maybe someone like nacho beristain and what he does with his kids for example.

but guys like de la hoya, and amir khan...these guys changed trainers every time something didn't go their way and I've never really seen it make much difference. do you think trainers get too much credit/blame when things are good or bad and what examples can you give?