Is Boxing an Old Man's Game Now?

[kiDynamite92]

there's just less talent nowadays. It's sad to see a 38 year old man reign supreme at the top of the HW division and no one looking likely to be able to stop him for 3 more years at least.

[-Kev-]

Easily the number of fights and the pressure from fans for a 25-0 fighter to fight the #1 best fighter in their division. It used to be that 25-0 was still a developing fighter, now impatient fans want fighters who are 19-0 to "step up". That's why fighters last longer, cause they fight less, they fight less because they fight competitive fighters early. They fight harder opponents, but even it out by fighting less. It's going to be rare to see pro fighters get up to 100 fights. If it happens, it will be a real babied fighter, fighting a bunch of cans, like back in the day.

[Showtime..]

Bradley spent too long wasting time trying to get a Pacman fight rather than building a reputation. And Devon is a guy who was just too hyped up.

Agree. I think Bradley wanted to prove to himself that he could beat one of the ATG's, and kinda mailed in 2-3 years of his career on that wanting to prove himself. He could be sitting around 40 wins right now if he hadn't pressed himself to the Pacquiao situation so long.
As for Devon, he just didn't have the heart & brains, the talent was there.

[soul_survivor]

Agree. I think Bradley wanted to prove to himself that he could beat one of the ATG's, and kinda mailed in 2-3 years of his career on that wanting to prove himself. He could be sitting around 40 wins right now if he hadn't pressed himself to the Pacquiao situation so long.
As for Devon, he just didn't have the heart & brains, the talent was there.

Yep, pretty much how I see it. Bradley could have had Khan on his resume, win or lose there may well have been a rematch and maybe a worthy 147lb fighter before the first Manny fight. By then he would have had more experience and been a better known fighter.

Easily the number of fights and the pressure from fans for a 25-0 fighter to fight the #1 best fighter in their division. It used to be that 25-0 was still a developing fighter, now impatient fans want fighters who are 19-0 to "step up". That's why fighters last longer, cause they fight less, they fight less because they fight competitive fighters early. They fight harder opponents, but even it out by fighting less. It's going to be rare to see pro fighters get up to 100 fights. If it happens, it will be a real babied fighter, fighting a bunch of cans, like back in the day.

That's just not true.

[RSBonos]

There are older athletes in all sports today. It's PEDs.

[soul_survivor]

There are older athletes in all sports today. It's PEDs.

Not so much, you won't see the truly elite footballers on the planet being 35+, in fact, some of the greatest footballers of our generation were named such even before they hit their late 20s.

[_original_]

Yes, it's definitely an older man's sport now because experience and skills are trumping youth, speed, and power. These older guys (Mayweather, Pacquiao, Rigo, JMM, Wlad, ect.) are also better preserved through advanced nutrition, fitness (possibly even roids), and more time to rest between fights. Thus extending their shelf life in the sport. 40 is the new 25.

[Deeznuts]

Add politics to the mix. Referees are letting fighters clinch more which can be used by older fighters as an advantage. Judges are literally destroying careers by giving the preferred fighter the nod. Fighters are overly protected, most have the train of thought that if they have an 0=bigger payday making them take less risk therefore lacking a good resume

[Spray_resistant]

All strenuous athletic competition is a younger mans game, prime is something in my opinion which falls into 24-28 years old.

[_original_]

All strenuous athletic competition is a younger mans game, prime is something in my opinion which falls into 24-28 years old.

Perhaps, but that alone won't always win you a boxing match. Experience, boxing IQ, and the proverbial skills play a larger part than just being in your psychical "prime."