Can someone explain to me how boxing has "evolved" since the middle the last century

[DooGee#33]

That may be true.

Since the middle of the last century, the talent pool in boxing has become very, very shallow.

Do you find the best swimmers by judging them in water that they can stand up in? .................Rockin'

Not to mention the boxers we do have currently Tweet really mean at each other. They don't box very often.

[Bundana]

It's not that he is claiming it. It's more or less common knowledge.

So it's more or less common knowledge, that there are far, far fewer active boxers today, than back in the 50s?

[Slugfester]

I already outlined the way to settle this dispute. I don't think anyone has the necessary data. Present it if you do, for that is the way out.

[Bundana]

I already outlined the way to settle this dispute. I don't think anyone has the necessary data. Present it if you do, for that is the way out.

The idea that the number of active pro boxers is getting lower and lower is nothing but a myth! Yes, I know, that's what we've all been told for years - but after BoxRec started to publish their numbers several years ago, a very different story has emerged.

Here's a link to the number of fights/fighters that can be found in BoxRec's database, on an annual basis:
Total Bouts in the BoxRec Database: By Decade - Page 4 - BoxRec

As can be seen, the number of both active boxers, and the number of fights they engaged in have gone nowhere but op, since a low point in the 50s and 60s. Which shouldn't really come as a surprise, since so many more countries have now embraced pro boxing - especially after the fall of The Wall.

So no, the worldwide talent pool has not been dwindling since the middle of the last century!

[JakeTheBoxer]

Today fighters can manipulate with their weight and rehydrate much more.

[Dr. Z]

Because I'm just not seeing it.

Fighters in the "old days":
-Sparred
-Did roadwork
-Hit the heavy bag, speed bag, and double-end bag
-Eat right

Modern fighters:
-Spar
-Do roadwork
-Hit the heavy bag, speed bag, and double-end bag
-Eat right, as much as is possible given that most foods are processed or covered with chemicals
-Some weight training

The use of the jab and setting up combinations is better now.

[QueensburyRules]

The idea that the number of active pro boxers is getting lower and lower is nothing but a myth! Yes, I know, that's what we've all been told for years - but after BoxRec started to publish their numbers several years ago, a very different story has emerged.

Here's a link to the number of fights/fighters that can be found in BoxRec's database, on an annual basis:
Total Bouts in the BoxRec Database: By Decade - Page 4 - BoxRec

As can be seen, the number of both active boxers, and the number of fights they engaged in have gone nowhere but op, since a low point in the 50s and 60s. Which shouldn't really come as a surprise, since so many more countries have now embraced pro boxing - especially after the fall of The Wall.

So no, the worldwide talent pool has not been dwindling since the middle of the last century!

- - Could it be the US male population has the lowest % of boxers today compared to yesteryear when it was either boxing, baseball, factory, farm or politics?

I say yea!

[Rockin']

- - Could it be the US male population has the lowest % of boxers today compared to yesteryear when it was either boxing, baseball, factory, farm or politics?

I say yea!

Figure in the creation of the CAT scan and MRI and then figure why the levels of fighters dropped off. Hence the dwindling number of fighters in the nation. The trainers, that knew anything were there for a while but have essentially all died off, leaving us with sheet teachers. Ofcourse, there are exceptions.

And then figure in how todays youth are essentially poosies who couldn't even fight their way out of a wet paper bag. Instead, they just sit inside there and cry for help.

America has fallen from the boxing pedestal and the Europeans are kickin' ass.

It is what it is..............Rockin'

[Willow The Wisp]

The idea that the number of active pro boxers is getting lower and lower is nothing but a myth! Yes, I know, that's what we've all been told for years - but after BoxRec started to publish their numbers several years ago, a very different story has emerged.

Here's a link to the number of fights/fighters that can be found in BoxRec's database, on an annual basis:
Total Bouts in the BoxRec Database: By Decade - Page 4 - BoxRec

As can be seen, the number of both active boxers, and the number of fights they engaged in have gone nowhere but op, since a low point in the 50s and 60s. Which shouldn't really come as a surprise, since so many more countries have now embraced pro boxing - especially after the fall of The Wall.

So no, the worldwide talent pool has not been dwindling since the middle of the last century!

Actually, what is reflected here is the decline of Amateur boxing all over the world. Still, a great contribution to thie thread, again.

[Willow The Wisp]

The use of the jab and setting up combinations is better now.

.......yaaaaa, no.