Anthony Joshua and Kristian Prenga size each other up in London on June 1, 2026

Anthony Joshua warns Kristian Prenga that he's digging his own grave

•3 hours ago

1 Comment

Huge underdog Andy Ruiz Jnr stands over Anthony Joshua in New York on June 1, 2019

On This Day: Andy Ruiz Jnr stuns Anthony Joshua in New York

•10 hours ago

Read more

OShaquieFosterShakurStevenson

Victorious O’Shaquie Fosters calls for showdown with Shakur Stevenson

Declan Warrington

•1 day ago

12 Comments

FosterFord01

Masterful O’Shaquie Foster tames Raymond Ford to retain WBC 130lbs title

Declan Warrington

•1 day ago

5 Comments

Dmitry

Dmitry Bivol dominates overmatched Michael Eifert, makes it look all too easy

•2 days ago

7 Comments

FosterFordWeighIn01

Eddie Hearn anticipates Texan launchpad for Raymond Ford

Declan Warrington

•2 days ago

Read more

Benavidez_Mikaelian copy

WBC to Noel Mikaelian: Fight David Benavidez next, or else

•2 days ago

3 Comments

Opetaia_Mikaelian

Jai Opetaia, Noel Mikaelian finalizing Ring cruiserweight showdown

•3 days ago

5 Comments

Rico Verhoeven [right] clouts Oleksandr Usyk in Egypt on May 23, 2026

The Beltline: Kickboxer Rico Verhoeven becomes the poster boy for boxing’s WTF era

•3 days ago

1 Comment

O'Shaquie Foster raises a glove following his December 2025 victory over Stephen Fulton.

‘Special’ O’Shaquie Foster is the smartest fighter Bobby Benton has trained

Declan Warrington

•3 days ago

1 Comment

Rico Verhoeven at the London press conference for his fight against Oleksandr Usyk. (April 14, 2026)

Rico Verhoeven happy to take on all-comers at heavyweight - with one exception

•4 days ago

5 Comments

Gervonta Davis looks up at a person speaking at a microphone during a press conference on September 22, 2025, for Davis' exhibition match with Jake Paul.

Tank in Trouble: Arrest warrant issued for Gervonta 'Tank' Davis

•4 days ago

11 Comments

Vasiliy Lomachneko

Vasiliy Lomachenko wants Charly Suarez for comeback, official says

•5 days ago

4 Comments

International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Holly Holm waves at a December 2025 press conference, days ahead of her first boxing match in years.

Holly Holm hopes to ride Stephanie Han rematch to showdowns with Ronda Rousey, Katie Taylor

•5 days ago

1 Comment

O'Shaquie Foster (left) and Raymond Ford face off at the press conference. (April 24, 2026)

‘Way better’ Raymond Ford plays down O’Shaquie Foster’s résumé

Declan Warrington

•5 days ago

3 Comments

Agit Kabayel celebrates his February 2025 victory over Zhilei Zhang.

WBC order for Oleksandr Usyk-Agit Kabayel to be next remains

•6 days ago

1 Comment

Rico Verhoeven, with coach Peter Fury, is announced to the crowd ahead of his fight with Oleksandr Usyk

'If Oleksandr Usyk didn't take Rico Verhoeven seriously he would have been stopped'

•6 days ago

9 Comments

Mark Lyson steps in to stop the fight with Verhoeven on the ropes and Usyk set to celebrate

Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven: Peter Fury confronts and then forgives the referee on flight home

BoxingScene Staff

•1 week ago

21 Comments

Frank Warren at the press conference for Fabio Wardley-Daniel Dubois. (May 7, 2026)

Frank Warren: Oleksandr Usyk must be stripped if Rico Verhoeven rematch comes next

BoxingScene Staff

•1 week ago

16 Comments

Oleksandr Usyk has his hand held aloft by Mark Lyson having defeated Rico Verhoeven

Boxing owes it to Rico Verhoeven to ensure Oleksandr Usyk rematch happens

•1 week ago

17 Comments

Oleksandr Usyk, pictured after his victory over Rico Verhoeven

Oleksandr Usyk found out

•1 week ago

21 Comments

Rico Verhoeven fires a left at Oleksandr Usyk

Sphinx Jinx: Oleksandr Usyk dodges a bullet to score late stoppage of Rico Verhoeven

•1 week ago

54 Comments

Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven take to the scales in Egypt

Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven preview: Who wins and how?

•1 week ago

7 Comments

Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven get ready for battle in May 2026 in Egypt

Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven weigh-in: Usyk 233.3lbs; Verhoeven 258.7lbs

BoxingScene Staff

•1 week ago

9 Comments

Agit Kabayel sits down for an interview.

Agit Kabayel says Oleksandr Usyk ‘must fight me next’

•1 week ago

23 Comments

Oleksandr Usyk plays for the camera in April 2026

Oleksandr Usyk: 'Three more fights... When I say I'm retired, I won't be back'

BoxingScene Staff

•1 week ago

36 Comments

Richard Torrez Jnr stands in the ring during his boxing match with Tomas Salek on November 15, 2025.

Richard Torrez Jnr ventures a world away to discover if he's world-class

•1 week ago

36 Comments

Ryan Garcia Photo:Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom

Ryan Garcia tells Jimmy Fallon that Conor Benn is next

•1 week ago

15 Comments

Naoya Inoue 12272025

Naoya Inoue-Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez in Japan? 'Without a shadow of a doubt'

•2 weeks ago

3 Comments

Oleksandr Usyk takes the fight to Anthony Joshua at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2021

Oleksandr Usyk-Anthony Joshua III not out of the question, says Eddie Hearn

•2 weeks ago

29 Comments

Back to Community

Fighters who were better in their early 20s then later 20s?

I was watching Mayorga vs Vargas earlier, and I almost felt bad for Vargas. He was stiff, tight, and slow in the Mayorga fight. He was 28 and I think he had a back issue which was why he took those years off. The same Vargas who fought Quartey Trinidad Wright and even the juiced up De La Hoya verrsion would have destroyed Mayorga and I think he would have even beaten Mosley. What are some other fighters who were better in their early 20s then late 20s? He and David Reid are the only people I can think of.

Comments (13)

Best fighter Tyson beat at the time of the fight was Razor Ruddock

8y ago

Early 20s Tyson was fighting bums, thats why he looked good. Not all were bums, especially compared to the actual real "bums" of the Klitschko era. I wouldn't consider Tony Tucker, Frank Bruno and Razor Ruddock bums. I definitely think the more focused Tyson during those early 20 years would have done a lot better against Holyfield than the late 20's Tyson. In my humble opinion.

9y ago

Ricky martinez

9y ago

Mike Tyson Early 20s Tyson was fighting bums, thats why he looked good.

9y ago

not sure if this was mentioned but, the early part of a guys career is the easiest. so why is it strange to find guys are ''better'' at 20 than later ? they get to flex on no hopers. Because somebody who really knows boxing, can analyze a persons skillset (speed, reflexes etc) and not who they fought. Vargas was a better fightr early then late 20s

9y ago

And which is the fun part about the body of a 24 year old reacting like that after getting beat by grown men since you were a 13 year old?. You mean beating grown men.

9y ago

JuanMa Lopez

9y ago

Gatti, Delahoya, Jones Jr., Mosely all looked like monsters when they were young. To me Mayweather, Hopkins, Lewis & Calzaghe got better with age.

9y ago

Muhammad Ali prime was till 25, after the three year lay off he was never the same. Still amazing tho

9y ago

Wilfred Benitez. Fernando Vargas. Benitez was arguably washed up by thectime he was 24.:lol1:

9y ago

People need to take into consideration the level of opposition early in these fighters' careers. And that could be a reason why fighters look better early on. Chances are Vargas was juiced to the fkin gills in all his early fights.

9y ago

Mike tyson,prince naseem,maybe amir khan dunno lol

9y ago

Mike Tyson

9y ago

Fighters who were better in their early 20s then later 20s? | BoxingScene Community