Do the current heavyweights lack desire compared to their forebearers?

[Earl-Hickey]

Watching the old classic heavyweight fights, its easy to see where the character "rocky" came from, I mean nowadays such a character seems unbelivable, but looking at Ali, Frazier and others, they had that same heart, and will to fight.

Compare that to todays crop, most of them seem like they'd rather be anywhere but in a boxing ring.

Do you think that the old school desire is gone for good?

[prinzemanspopa]

It's not that todays heavyweights lack heart or desire,it's just that most o them flat out suck.Guys like Chris Arreola aren't going to rise from mediocrity just because he loses some weight.Samuel Peter is never going to be anything more than a strong fighter with heavy hands,either.



Wladimir Klitschko is the face of todays heavyweight boxing,and that's all that matters.As long as "the man" continues to show up in shape and clear his division of all contenders,he deserves his sport amongst the division's all time elist list.


I don't recall Wlad ever showing up to his fights like the ill-prepared fat slob that Ali often presented himself post-Zaire.I don't recall Wlad cherry picking his way around the division the way Cherry pickin' Joe Frazier did while he was active.

[Die Antwoord]

It's not that todays heavyweights lack heart or desire,it's just that most o them flat out suck.Guys like Chris Arreola aren't going to rise from mediocrity just because he loses some weight.Samuel Peter is never going to be anything more than a strong fighter with heavy hands,either.



Wladimir Klitschko is the face of todays heavyweight boxing,and that's all that matters.As long as "the man" continues to show up in shape and clear his division of all contenders,he deserves his sport amongst the division's all time elist list.


I don't recall Wlad ever showing up to his fights like the ill-prepared fat slob that Ali often presented himself post-Zaire.I don't recall Wlad cherry picking his way around the division the way Cherry pickin' Joe Frazier did while he was active.

+1

Wlad always comes in shapes, works hard. Same with Vitali. He isnt picking fights so that he can have more opportunities to cheat on his wife. There are a lot of guys with heart and desire, just cant compete with the Klitschko's. A big problem is parody in the HW division everywhere but the top coupled with the globalization of the sport. If Dimitrenko gets beat by Chambers...no one cares, in Europe it just means Dimi was overrated, in America they say, "who the hell is Dimitrenko." Globalization + nationalism has hurt HW boxing more than anything. Look at all the lower weights, who are the biggest guys, only 2 guys bigger than the Klitschko's. Floyd whose been undefeated for every and has the NFL/NBA/Rap personality and Manny who needs to destroy guys in like 6 divisions before he started getting pop culture notoriety. I admit guys show up out of shape at times, but thats always happened. The division is top heavy as usual. There needs to be more contender vs. contender fights though. That would really help the division.

[SBleeder]

Does an untamed Ursidae mammal defecate in forested areas?




Is Benedict XVI a member of the Vatican Christian Church?





Seriously, could you picture a Klitschko fighting a battle like Ali and Frazier did? Me either.

David Haye struts around with the WBA belt despite being completely afraid to even get in the ring with one of the Brothers Klitschko.

[Bright-Eyes]

I'd say it was a deeper issue than just the heavyweights.

[PEBBLES!]

+1

Wlad always comes in shapes, works hard. Same with Vitali. He isnt picking fights so that he can have more opportunities to cheat on his wife. .

MagicMan, even though you are an outright lunatic, you are funny as hell man.

[Forza]

Big American guys don't wanna box, it's easier for them to play football or basketball.

[mrboxer]

i hope old school desire is gone,look at the old school fighters hands down,sloppy combinations,besides a handful of old school fighters none of the rest would even be able to crack the pros,