--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A great champion needs a background in…" description: "\"A great champion needs a background in amateur boxing, I’'m convinced of that. There you learn everything that you’ll need later as a pro. Someone who’..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb7/lennox-lewis-8053_boxing_a-great-champion-needs-a-background-in-a_2138220.jpg" --- # A great champion needs a background in amateur boxing… ![“A great champion needs a background in amateur boxing, I’'m convinced of that. There you learn everything that you’ll need later as a pro. Someone who’s got more than 400 amateur fights behind him no longer gets nervous before going into the ring and doesn’t lose his nerve during a fight. You know…” quote by Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb7/lennox-lewis-8053_boxing_a-great-champion-needs-a-background-in-a_2138220.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb7/lennox-lewis-8053_boxing_a-great-champion-needs-a-background-in-a_2138220.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb7/lennox-lewis-8053_boxing_a-great-champion-needs-a-background-in-a_2138220.jpg) > “A great champion needs a background in amateur boxing, I’'m convinced of that. There you learn everything that you’ll need later as a pro. Someone who’s got more than 400 amateur fights behind him no longer gets nervous before going into the ring and doesn’t lose his nerve during a fight. You know all the boxing styles, you’re prepared for anything, you’ve got the pedigree that you need to be a successful pro.” [Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Extensive amateur experience builds confidence, skill diversity, and mental toughness essential for professional success. **In simple terms:** Amateur boxing prepares you for pro challenges. Key Takeaway Gain experience early to master later. Themes confidence skill mental toughness preparation Mood determined optimistic focused Type advice motivational When to use this quote - early career - training camps - tournament preparation - mental conditioning Key Concepts boxing fundamentals psychology of competition career development Questions to Reflect On - How does early competition shape long‑term performance? - What non‑boxing skills are vital for pro success? A Different Perspective Amateur success doesn't guarantee pro titles; other factors matter. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boxing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boxing/) [Champion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/champion/) [Nervous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nervous/) [Style](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/style/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/) ## Related quotes > [Amateur boxing is one of the safest sports around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-calzaghe/amateur-boxing-is-one-of-the-safest-sports-around/) [Joe Calzaghe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-calzaghe/) > [For the majority of my amateur boxing career, I was the underdog weirdly enough and that served me well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-campbell/for-the-majority-of-my-amateur-boxing-career-i-was-the-underdog/) [Luke Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-campbell/) > [Surprisingly enough, I haven't had a letter from Amateur Boxing Scotland bosses offering their congratulations for my Melbourne medal win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-anderson/surprisingly-enough-i-haven-t-had-a-letter-from-amateur-boxing/) Kenny Anderson > [I don't know jack-diddly-squat about jiu-jitsu. And I know enough to say that a guillotine doesn't look too comfortable. But I also know boxing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/i-don-t-know-jack-diddly-squat-about-jiu-jitsu-and-i-know-enough-to/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) > [You aren't going to show me something I haven't seen. Nobody can bring something to me that I don't already know, not in boxing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-sr/you-aren-t-going-to-show-me-something-i-haven-t-seen-nobody-can-bring/) [Chris Eubank Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-sr/) > [I just stick to what I know, boxing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-crawford/i-just-stick-to-what-i-know-boxing/) [Terence Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-crawford/) > [There's always the motivation of wanting to win. Everybody has that. But a champion needs, in his attitude, a motivation above and beyond winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/there-s-always-the-motivation-of-wanting-to-win-everybody-has-that/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [A champion needs a motivation above and beyond winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/a-champion-needs-a-motivation-above-and-beyond-winning/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [I think the champion needs to be active make sure to have rhythm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricio-freire/i-think-the-champion-needs-to-be-active-make-sure-to-have-rhythm/) [Patricio Freire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricio-freire/) > [I feel that's what a real champion needs to be doing, dare to take on the best fights possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-feel-that-s-what-a-real-champion-needs-to-be-doing-dare-to-take-on/) [Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/) > [I had 33 kickboxing fights, 37 MMA fights, plus 44 amateur boxing fights, which most of them were international. I will keep fighting as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mirko-cro-cop/i-had-33-kickboxing-fights-37-mma-fights-plus-44-amateur-boxing/) [Mirko Cro Cop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mirko-cro-cop/) > [Conor knows how to fight and he knows how to box. He has been boxing professional boxers for his whole life, he has had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/artem-lobov/conor-knows-how-to-fight-and-he-knows-how-to-box-he-has-been-boxing/) [Artem Lobov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/artem-lobov/) > [With amateur boxing, you're just entered into a competition. And to be the best, you've got to beat the best. You're not waiting around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-taylor/with-amateur-boxing-you-re-just-entered-into-a-competition-and-to-be/) [Katie Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-taylor/) > [There's not a lot of things to look out for in amateur boxing. Once the headgear comes off, once the 10-ounce gloves come on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jacobs/there-s-not-a-lot-of-things-to-look-out-for-in-amateur-boxing-once/) [Daniel Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jacobs/) > [Hit and move, that's amateur boxing and that's what I'm good at.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-degale/hit-and-move-that-s-amateur-boxing-and-that-s-what-i-m-good-at/) [James DeGale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-degale/) ## More by Lennox Lewis > [In boxing, if you think you will lose... you're already halfway there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/in-boxing-if-you-think-you-will-lose-you-re-already-halfway-there/) [Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/) > [ It's a very interesting fight \[Klitchko vs Tyson Fury\] because this is the first time \[Wladimir\] Klitschko is fighting someone as big as him… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/it-s-a-very-interesting-fight-klitchko-vs-tyson-fury-because-this-is/) [Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/) > [Mike Tyson fit the American ideal of a boxer. A fighter who jumps out of his corner and hits out fiercely. That’s what he’'ll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/mike-tyson-fit-the-american-ideal-of-a-boxer-a-fighter-who-jumps-out/) [Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/) > [Now I am ready to set new goals and start a new career for myself outside of the ring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/now-i-am-ready-to-set-new-goals-and-start-a-new-career-for-myself/) [Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/) > [I've got a new life now, a new future, there's a lot more to Lennox Lewis than just being a boxer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/i-ve-got-a-new-life-now-a-new-future-there-s-a-lot-more-to-lennox/) [Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/) > [I have always said I am a five-dimensional fighter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/i-have-always-said-i-am-a-five-dimensional-fighter/) [Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/) > [I am just taking the top fights out there for me. People will get bored seeing me every day knock someone out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/i-am-just-taking-the-top-fights-out-there-for-me-people-will-get/) [Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/) > [Every era that comes along has a superstar that emerges. Once we are out of the game, there will be a superstar who will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/every-era-that-comes-along-has-a-superstar-that-emerges-once-we-are/) [Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/) > [Fighters used to be afraid of the Russians, Cubans but then I'd figure them out and figure out how to beat them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/fighters-used-to-be-afraid-of-the-russians-cubans-but-then-i-d-figure/) [Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/) > [If I don't feel the same hunger as I once did then I definitely shouldn't box any more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/if-i-don-t-feel-the-same-hunger-as-i-once-did-then-i-definitely/) [Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/) > [People are still crying out for Lennox Lewis. They still want to see Lennox Lewis. That motivated me. I am still young. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/people-are-still-crying-out-for-lennox-lewis-they-still-want-to-see/) [Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/) > [Boxing involves the possibility of defeat, I accepted that very early on. After all, there are only two men and one of them wins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/boxing-involves-the-possibility-of-defeat-i-accepted-that-very-early/) [Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/) > [When you go into the other guy's backyard you cannot hope to win on points.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/when-you-go-into-the-other-guy-s-backyard-you-cannot-hope-to-win-on/) [Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/) > [I've worked hard and accomplished what I've accomplished in the heavyweight scene.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/i-ve-worked-hard-and-accomplished-what-i-ve-accomplished-in-the/) [Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/) > [In boxing you create a strategy to beat each new opponent, it's just like chess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/in-boxing-you-create-a-strategy-to-beat-each-new-opponent-it-s-just/) [Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/) [Explore all 85 Lennox Lewis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/) ## More Boxing quotes > [You know, it brings in a lot of different people; you take people off the street, and kids, and people from all different walks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-lamy/you-know-it-brings-in-a-lot-of-different-people-you-take-people-off/) [Michele Lamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-lamy/) > [As a professional athlete and someone who has spent almost his entire life in boxing, not a day goes by when I don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-de-la-hoya/as-a-professional-athlete-and-someone-who-has-spent-almost-his-entire/) [Oscar De La Hoya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-de-la-hoya/) > [Apart from my grandad, none of my family had really been into boxing so the sport was never discussed much at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-taylor/apart-from-my-grandad-none-of-my-family-had-really-been-into-boxing/) [Josh Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-taylor/) > [You don't think. It's all instinct. If you stop to think, you're gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sugar-ray-robinson/you-don-t-think-it-s-all-instinct-if-you-stop-to-think-you-re-gone/) [Sugar Ray Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sugar-ray-robinson/) > [I actually like boxing away from home. It takes the pressure off you a little bit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-degale/i-actually-like-boxing-away-from-home-it-takes-the-pressure-off-you-a/) [James DeGale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-degale/) > [Whether it's Marcos Maidana, Shawn Porter, Amir Khan or Kell Brook, there are a lot of fights out there that I think would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-thurman/whether-it-s-marcos-maidana-shawn-porter-amir-khan-or-kell-brook/) [Keith Thurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-thurman/) > [I'm a fighter, I love boxing, it's what I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-mosley/i-m-a-fighter-i-love-boxing-it-s-what-i-do/) [Shane Mosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-mosley/) > [I first got into boxing when I was quite young. I was about 12 when I won my first boxing match.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-parker/i-first-got-into-boxing-when-i-was-quite-young-i-was-about-12-when-i/) [Joseph Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-parker/) > [Boxing can be so important to young people, it keeps you off the street and you can channel your energy and aggression in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-benn/boxing-can-be-so-important-to-young-people-it-keeps-you-off-the/) [Nigel Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-benn/) > [I'm too fast. I'm too smart. I'm too pretty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-m-too-fast-i-m-too-smart-i-m-too-pretty/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [I somewhere along the way became fascinated with exploring characters who are willing to put themselves into violent situations, whether it's football, hockey, boxing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-berg/i-somewhere-along-the-way-became-fascinated-with-exploring-characters/) [Peter Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-berg/) > [I liked wrestling a lot better than boxing. I remember thinking at that time that wrestling was a pure demonstration of strength, which I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-carpenter/i-liked-wrestling-a-lot-better-than-boxing-i-remember-thinking-at/) [Scott Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-carpenter/) > [I always tried to be different from everyone else. Then I found out about boxing. That was the way I could be different from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riddick-bowe/i-always-tried-to-be-different-from-everyone-else-then-i-found-out/) [Riddick Bowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riddick-bowe/) > [One day we'll have championship boxing in Cleveland and people will support it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-porter/one-day-we-ll-have-championship-boxing-in-cleveland-and-people-will/) [Shawn Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-porter/) > [I've grown up with Bollywood, and I continue to enjoy it. But boxing remains my passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijender-singh/i-ve-grown-up-with-bollywood-and-i-continue-to-enjoy-it-but-boxing/) [Vijender Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijender-singh/) [Browse all 2,214 Boxing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boxing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A great champion needs a background in amateur boxing, I’'m convinced of that. There you learn everything that you’ll need later as a pro. Someone who’s got more than 400 amateur fights behind him no longer gets nervous before going into the ring and doesn’t lose his nerve during a fight. 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