Mitts are good if you use them to box EXACTLY how you plan on boxing. There are also good for conditioning, accuracy, practicing defense, etc.
But just because you can throw a timed combo doesn't mean you can box. People saw Floyd doing that shyt and ran with it. Floyd actually fought like that though and there was a lot going on with those mitt sessions... not just the pretty combos.
Just like with JUST hitting the bag... great workout, good practice if your hitting it the way you actually fight, good conditioning. But means nothing without ring work....
Watch how Tyson used to hit the bag
Watch Tyson hit the Mitts
Everything he did was geared towards his style of fighting... not just throwing to look good for IG. He practiced everything he was going to do in the ring
Every time I saw Nate hit the mitts it was like they were still teaching him how to throw a punch... 6 days a week, twice a day? He should've been focusing on what he's gonna literally do in the ring by month 3..