Comments Thread For: Today vs. 25 years ago: Which heavyweight division was superior?

[steeve steel]

I don't think any physical improvements would make up for the lack of skill. Most fighters today are one dimensional because they only fight people they know they can beat. If we were going by same day weigh in and 15 round fights, most of today's fighters wouldn't even be fighting at their current weight. Either we would be fighting under yesterday's rules, or the fighters of the past would have the advantages of today.

I kind of understand what you're saying, and it's a good point, but again, I stand by what I said; would any team/champion from 25 years ago beat the current champions? Not sure..

[LilMac006]

Tyson fury and uysk are the only ones today that can stand toe to toe with the heavyweights from 25 years ago.

[NihonJim]

The fighters of 25 years ago were harder men, most heavyweights today have glassy chins and mentally fold if they have a couple of tough rounds. Additionally Usyk is perhaps the only heavyweight today who has comparable stamina to 90s fighters.

The reason eastern euro fighters do so well nowadays is because they are the only ones who possess that mentality that the old school fighters had of being willing to leave it all in the ring.

Modern fighters are just softer, it's just reality.

[BodyBagz]

You think they're worse than the 00s and first half of the 10s? for real?

I'm trying to think what the biggest HW fight was between like 2005 and 2014. It was such a dead era.

Usyk is a HOFer by default
Fury even further down the HOF line
That's it.

[Haka]

James Tilles took prime Tyson power like it was nothing, Usyk can do that too and box Tyson's ears off mentally much stronger. Usyk too high IQ for Lewis.

[Lomadeaux]

Lennox?

Perhaps. But those are the only two.

[wrecksracer]

I kind of understand what you're saying, and it's a good point, but again, I stand by what I said; would any team/champion from 25 years ago beat the current champions? Not sure..

I got Roy Jones beating Canelo. I'll take Pernell Whittaker over Tank. I'd take Leonard and Hearns over most welterweights, including Floyd and Pac. The improved science and training of today is mostly based around weight loss and recovery. There aren't really any faster or harder punchers. You have bigger guys starving down to lower weights. Same day weigh ins would take away any advantage modern fighters have. Just my opinion.

[steeve steel]

I got Roy Jones beating Canelo. I'll take Pernell Whittaker over Tank. I'd take Leonard and Hearns over most welterweights, including Floyd and Pac. The improved science and training of today is mostly based around weight loss and recovery. There aren't really any faster or harder punchers. You have bigger guys starving down to lower weights. Same day weigh ins would take away any advantage modern fighters have. Just my opinion.

Again, some good points. But here, you're talking more about matchups, and also about some exceptional fighters that kind of mess with the average. Plus it all depends how far back you wanna go. Look at it this way instead. Would Tampa bay Lightning or Penguins beat the old Montreal Canadians? Would the Celtics or Lakers of yesterday beat their current versions? Same for Dodgers and Yankees? What about sprinters? You see what I'm getting at? Plus we started out with heavyweights. And just the shear size of them now..

[The D3vil]

James Tilles took prime Tyson power like it was nothing, Usyk can do that too and box Tyson's ears off mentally much stronger. Usyk too high IQ for Lewis.

He also took Earnie Shavers' power & won a decision over him, & he's arguably the hardest puncher ever?