Could today's fighters adapt?

[cfang]

Harsher world back then and boxing was harsher. No question. I think they adapted to the conditions. Today’s fighters are the same. Could say they were tougher but today’s guys would be fresher. It’s swings and roundabouts and with all this old vs new debate, as usual it’s likely the truth is somewhere in the middle.

[them_apples]

Two interesting numbers to know would be . . .

Between 1980-2020 and 1920-1960

• How many fights before they got a title fight.
• Number of total fights career (champions only).

Dempsey: 64 --> 73

Mayweather Jr.: 24 --> 50

Holmes: 27 --> 75

Pacquiao: 24 --> 72

Graziano: 59 --> 83

Charles: 72 --> 121

Just need to look at 50 more from each period and we might know something, or not.


My numbers are only close.

* Charles had several 12 & 15 round fights (Moore, Maxim, Baski, Fitzpatrick) during his 72 fight run-up to the HW Title, but none are registered as title bouts.

* Pacquiao has 48 fights since his first world title fight, with 46 of them being the championship distance of 12 rounds. Amazing!

Don’t forget the fight frequency as well. Boxers have longer careers now but they spread their fights out.

[_Rexy_]

Its an interesting idea. I'm sure some guys would adapt better than others.

I think a guy like James Toney might have achieved more in a more active era. He would have adapted well at a minimum.

I'm also sure some guys from the past who weren't tip top guys might have had better careers in a less active era like todays.

Toney was super active at 160 and 168, and I've always felt his team moved him that way to keep him in shape lol

[them_apples]

Since I know your opinion well on old versus new in general, can you say which fighters from recent times you believe could be transported to the older eras and yet become a successful pro boxer if not a champion, if any?

Conditions: They train and eat exactly as in their respective eras. They do nothing different.

Well thats different. If you took guys today and made them grow up back then - you would have an entirely different set of champs.

going by personality though, Pacquiao, Floyd and maybe Canelo.

they stood out today and with frequent fighting, no weight lifting and better trainers we would see different fighters. As well as simple things like sparring orher good fighters and watching them.

Pacquiao is a bit of a throwback though. I question how much of his success was really just putting an oldschool fighter in with new ones. Cause pac was from a shanty town and hes fighting dudes who grew up with cellphones that spread their buttcheeks to get world title fights. He often would overcome boxers with his sheer force of will much like Marciano.

[QueensburyRules]

Well thats different. If you took guys today and made them grow up back then - you would have an entirely different set of champs.

going by personality though, Pacquiao, Floyd and maybe Canelo.

they stood out today and with frequent fighting, no weight lifting and better trainers we would see different fighters. As well as simple things like sparring orher good fighters and watching them.

Pacquiao is a bit of a throwback though. I question how much of his success was really just putting an oldschool fighter in with new ones. Cause pac was from a shanty town and hes fighting dudes who grew up with cellphones that spread their buttcheeks to get world title fights. He often would overcome boxers with his sheer force of will much like Marciano.

- - They didn't hand out 2 week backdated TUEs enhanced with multiple retirements to save l'l floydy flimsy hands from further beatings on TBA opponents that became the new Haymon mantra for his bogus fight stable. Deyonce had great success using TBAs.

Manny and Canelo are old school fighters matched tough from the gitgo. They're good in any era like Jack Dempsey and Joe Louis would be.

[thebrownbomber_]

Nope. Todays boxers rely on water weight and dehydration. Old timers would eat em up big time. i

[automaton89]

Could today's fighters (doesn't matter division) adapt to the rules and rigorous schedule of the 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's? I'm of the opinion styles change because rules change. But fighting 2 or 3 times a year to fighting 8, 9, 10 times a year would be challenging. Would Floyd Mayweather have been able to keep that grueling schedule with brittle hands? Could Fury getting woefully out of shape between fights?

I'm of the opinion overall they could. Floyd (just as an example) may not. Not because he wasn't great, but because the same medical technology wouldn't be there.

I also believe fighters of the past would adapt and flourish today. Punching and movement really haven't changed, and they're grit was undeniable.

Anyway, who are some fighters that you think would or would not adapt to the past era's?

Yes they could since most of those guys were stinkers by todays standards

[JAB5239]

Yes they could since most of those guys were stinkers by todays standards

Lol, like who?

[automaton89]

Lol, like who?

All of marcianos non champion opponents were bums

[JAB5239]

All of marcianos non champion opponents were bums

Rex Layne, Harry Matthew's, Roland LaStarza and Lee Savold were bums? Please, tell me more.