Speedsters aging well?

[StarshipTrooper]

Yeah but i don't think that PEDS are the lone explanation or even the primary explanation as to why older fighters are generally having alot more success than in prior eras. I don't attribute it PEDS at all. I think it has more to do with the unprecedented number of minimally skilled, marginally talented prospects and contenders rising thru the ranks today, masquerading as world class boxers. We have a whole generation of boxers who's general technique, skillset(s), and even athleticism is vastly inferior to their predecessors. Which is why the top 10 p4p & LEGIT world champs are for the most part, older than they've ever been.

I hadn't thought of that but it's an interesting idea. And may very well be part of the issue. I DO think the prevalence of PEDs is at least part of it though.

[wmute]

Yeah but i don't think that PEDS are the lone explanation or even the primary explanation as to why older fighters are generally having alot more success than in prior eras. I don't attribute it PEDS at all. I think it has more to do with the unprecedented number of minimally skilled, marginally talented prospects and contenders rising thru the ranks today, masquerading as world class boxers. We have a whole generation of boxers who's general technique, skillset(s), and even athleticism is vastly inferior to their predecessors. Which is why the top 10 p4p & LEGIT world champs are for the most part, older than they've ever been.

This ^^^ is true, and quite sad for the future of the sport...

[Panthershock]

Was Archie Moore on PEDS when he went back and forth from Light Heavyweight to Heavyweight beating several top contenders in both divisions when he was well into his mid-40's?

no, he was the rare case of an athlete aging very well. It happened in other sports too
Gordie Howe's highest scoring NHL season came at age 40, he played a full season in the league at 51
Ted Williams hit .388 as a 38 year old, his 2nd highest total for a season, he had very little decline in his late 30's. Hank Aaron's best two years in terms of OPS came at 37 and 39.
Roger Staubach led the NFL in QB rating his final 2 seasons, at age 36 and 37


in Ring Magazine's p4p rankings as of August, 5 of the top 6 are 34 or older. That is what raises alarm bells for me, aging well is becoming common. That isn't normal for boxing. It wasn't normal for baseball either, then it became so, and now subsequently isn't anymore with their PED policies.

I actually like Mayweather, and I'm not dismissing his victories as being PED driven. He's fought in a PED era and all we have to judge fighters by is their performance within their own era. There are no iconic records like baseball has that are smashed as a result of PED use.

Yes he's still going strong at 36, while SRL and Whitaker were finished at that age. But that is rather typical within the eras they fought in

[DosRounds]

Yeah but i don't think that PEDS are the lone explanation or even the primary explanation as to why older fighters are generally having alot more success than in prior eras. I don't attribute it PEDS at all. I think it has more to do with the unprecedented number of minimally skilled, marginally talented prospects and contenders rising thru the ranks today, masquerading as world class boxers. We have a whole generation of boxers who's general technique, skillset(s), and even athleticism is vastly inferior to their predecessors. Which is why the top 10 p4p & LEGIT world champs are for the most part, older than they've ever been.

real interesting point

[NearHypnos]

Floyd hasnt taken any beatings in a LONG time couple that with long layoffs at times he should be showing age and you've got what you see. He doesnt even take many clean shots to the head. He's had a lot of....favorable fights too (once he had the power to choose) that have certainly helped as well. Floyd's skill set doesn't lend itself that well to age itself, but Floyd's intelligence, work ethic and lay offs are what has kept him well. I dont like the guy but I would hate to see him stay too long and give lines like Shane did about seeing his opportunities but not being able to pull the capitalize. It's like Roy..I'm sure they still have the vision just not the youth/legs to capitalize. Must be awful.

Lets make no mistake about it, it's not just that Floyd is intelligent in and out the ring but he was also blessed with impressive physical attributes. I wonder how he does when he loses a big step in his legs? I hope we dont have to find out

[wmute]

no, he was the rare case of an athlete aging very well. It happened in other sports too
Gordie Howe's highest scoring NHL season came at age 40, he played a full season in the league at 51
Ted Williams hit .388 as a 38 year old, his 2nd highest total for a season, he had very little decline in his late 30's. Hank Aaron's best two years in terms of OPS came at 37 and 39.
Roger Staubach led the NFL in QB rating his final 2 seasons, at age 36 and 37


in Ring Magazine's p4p rankings as of August, 5 of the top 6 are 34 or older. That is what raises alarm bells for me, aging well is becoming common. That isn't normal for boxing. It wasn't normal for baseball either, then it became so, and now subsequently isn't anymore with their PED policies.

I actually like Mayweather, and I'm not dismissing his victories as being PED driven. He's fought in a PED era and all we have to judge fighters by is their performance within their own era. There are no iconic records like baseball has that are smashed as a result of PED use.

Yes he's still going strong at 36, while SRL and Whitaker were finished at that age. But that is rather typical within the eras they fought in

and of them being cokeheads

[Cardinal Buck]

Possibly.

But he had already shown clear signs of DRASTIC slippage in the prior fight before the KO.

In Roy-Tarver I . He had no stamina and was completely gassed by the middle of the fight. Which was wholly uncharacteristic. His legs were shot. Didn't have the same pop in his punches. His upper body reflexes weren't the same. He was already a complete shell of himself. All he had left was fast hands. Which alone was pretty much useless with his legs gone and overall reflexes deterioated. He was literally half the fighter that he was prior to the weight drain in both Tarver I & II. All handspeed. Nothing else.

I don't agree. I think he was in poor condition for the first fight because he trained to make weight for the first time in his career. Add to it that he was fighting his best opponent in years.

Watch the second fight and he looks fine. Really good actually, and then the left hand ends things early.

[Cardinal Buck]

You are an idiot if you think Floyd and Hopkins are successful at an older age because of PEDS. These guys understand boxing on terms that almost no other fighters do.