The present era is the best ever, IMO.
Wlad, Povetkin, Pulev, Joshua, etc.... would all tower over and destroy past eras HW's, especially those in the 60s-70s.
Sports fan get really sensitive when it comes to "former greats" in older eras.... To the point where they're straight delusional. Nobody in their right mind could actually believe that the skinny-fat, sub 6 footers of the 60s-70s would be competitive with 6'5+ athletic freaks such as Wlad/Anthony Joshua of today. Size alone would be enough for today's HW's, yet alone skill/power.
The training methods, athletic/human evolution, etc... of today's athletes compared to those of the 60's is on a completely different level. The only sport where "former greats" would be able to compete (it's all fantasy scenarios anyway) is a non-contact sport like Nascar or Golf. Where size/athleticism doesn't play a role.
The one thing I don't understand is... boxing in particular, has the most "the 60's-70's dudes would murder today's guys" etc, fans.
In any other sport..... it would be absolutely taboo to think that former greats could compete with current stars. I.E it would be ludicrous for someone to say Elgin Baylor and George Mikan would be able to dominate/be good in today's NBA, or the guys in the 1920's with the punters helmets could play in today's NFL...... any sensible person knows they would have no chance.
Yet with boxing it's the opposite. So many dudes who think Wlad/Floyd/PAC, etc.... would not be able to be competitive in other eras, like to the point where you're an idiot if you believe they could. The former ATG's are put on such a high pedestal, it's ridiculous. and the WORST is when talking about the HW division.....if theres ANY sport where former greats couldn't come close to current athletes its the sport where you get punched in the face.
Lets be real here..... None of those current-day-cruiserweights would even be able to reach Wlad or Anthony Joshuas head, yet alone absorb a punch from the dynamite in their gloves.
***waits for boxing historian elitists***
I've changed my mind!
My first thought was that this post was one of the most moronic things I've read in a while.
But then my man crush on Anthony Joshua really kicked in.
Joshua is too big and too handsome to lose to any boxers from any era. Therefore the current era wins by virtue of winning smile and sculpted ebony Adonis body.
No I think overall there is a decrease in skill level in particular footwork and the jab. You can probably count on one hand the amount of fighters today with a legitimate world class jab. How many fighters today even move their head?
I used to be someone strongly under the impression that everything had evolved but this is clearly not the case. In fact I think majority of fighters operating at world level really are not that good at all.
The heavyweight division is a joke, the weakest its ever been.
The middleweight division has one good fighter in it the rest are Euro level at best.
Light middle has Alvarez and Lara, the rest of the crop are a joke.
There are exceptions, we do have some supremely skillful fighters but as a whole its a real step back. I think 80% of top fighters today at a sheer guess would be journeyman/gatekeepers in practically any other era.
This!
Agree with this 100%
The greatest boxer never to have fought in the US is Nico Locche.
My faourite current fighter that is yet to fight in the US is future heavyweight world champ Anthony Joshua
Sugar Ray fought his greatest rival Jake Lamotta 6 times. He didn't worry about catch weights, he was happy to give up 15 lbs to his opponent.
Yes, he didn't meet literally every contender but he left no doubt who was the best in his era. The same can't be said about Mayweather and Pac cos they found excuses not to fight each other.
I reckon Smith edged it.
Will have to watch it again because I may have gotten carried away with the emotion of the bout.
Smith will get another change if/when Groves and/or DeGale get their hands on a belt.
I can argue the 117-111 as well but for me it was 116-112 to Abraham. He had more clear rounds. And he bounced Smith plenty of times. And Smith didn't outwork him that much... And he definitely didn't outbox anyone. Abraham was lazy though... But during the whole fight I had the feeling that if Abraham lets his hands go a little more, Smith won't be able to do nothing, but Abraham was too lazy and comfortable. However when he let his hands go, Smith was staggered plenty of times IMO.
I think most people who watched that fight would agree that when he let his hands go he looked the better fighter.
But the thing is rarely did let his hands go.
There wouldn't be that many objections if all the even rounds were scored to Abraham and he won that way. The problem is he was also given the rounds in which he did pretty much fuk all.
Brutal body shots from Quigg!
Quigg v Frampton would be a quality fight.
It's embarrassing that Rigo was brought up in the post fight interview. He's a different class. It's clear Quigg wants no part of him.
I'm trying real hard not to get carried away with
Joshua.
He's green and hell and his flaws are clear to see, but so is his potential.
Fuk it I'm gonna give into the hype! I declare myself now as a member of team AJ.
Kahn's is the best.
Great win over Maidana and a few good wins like Kotelnik and Paulie.
His wins against over the hill pair Zab and MAB shouldn't get him much credit though.
DeGale should try to unify.
Badou Jack and Abraham. As easy as it could be.
Isn't Groves fighting Jack?
If Groves wins Degale - Groves 2 is written in stone