Is it me or are a lot of pro boxers turning pro at a later age(mid 20s) than before?

I guess it depends individually on the boxers. For instance, Larry Holmes(who never came from any sort of athletic background during his youth before starting to box) started boxing at a late age of 19 and turned pro at age 24 with a short but good amateur record of 19-3. Agreed, I am not a boxing historian but from what I have seen and know, while there may be a general trend of guys starting later, lots of guys still start real young -- depends on the fighter. There are certainly a lot of young Americans turning pro early because the amateur career has lost its appeal. There's a doc on Netflix called Counterpunch that goes into it a bit.

Some recognize the value of a deep amateur career and its ability to prepare them for a lucrative and successful professional career. As noted US boxing olympians and amateurs you can count on one hand... Overall, you still have people turning pro very young (Ryan Garcia, Gervonta Davis, "Canelo" Álvarez), and you still have your latecomers. A lot of people (Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder) came to boxing late(r) and became pros quickly because of their skill and to not miss out on prime years. People turn pro early and late to this day, depending on their skill level and whether or not it makes sense for them as fighters. Maybe they can survive longer as amateurs now whereas it was a financial necessity to turn pro before. I guess it depends individually on the boxers. For instance, Larry Holmes(who never came from any sort of athletic background during his youth before starting to box) started boxing at a late age of 19 and turned pro at age 24 with a short but good amateur record of 19-3.

Some recognize the value of a deep amateur career and its ability to prepare them for a lucrative and successful professional career. As noted US boxing olympians and amateurs you can count on one hand... Overall, you still have people turning pro very young (Ryan Garcia, Gervonta Davis, "Canelo" Álvarez), and you still have your latecomers. A lot of people (Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder) came to boxing late(r) and became pros quickly because of their skill and to not miss out on prime years. People turn pro early and late to this day, depending on their skill level and whether or not it makes sense for them as fighters. Maybe they can survive longer as amateurs now whereas it was a financial necessity to turn pro before.

It’s about money no more communism in the Soviet Union and no more gold medalists in the US.