Why are fighters from the past glorified so much?

[BigAlexSand]

As others have noted, it is primarily nostalgia that fuels what you are noticing.

However, there is a little more at play than just that. In my opinion the talent pool is less now then it was in Boxing's past. While certain areas seem to be doing better in terms of 'popularity' (UK, Eastern Europe, etc), Boxing is no longer the prestigious sport overall that it used to be. Very few (in America especially) top level athletes choose boxing as a sport they want to excel in.

Also, business motivations have appeared to have reached a point where the best rarely fight the best, as 'protecting the record' has become many a fighter's mantra. It becomes difficult to gauge just how good a modern fighter is. See the numerous threads about GGG, Kovalev, Ward, etc and you'll note how easy it is to pick apart many of the top modern fighter's resumes.

Very well said and I agree 100%

[Tony Trick-Pony]

In all the mythical match ups, or discussions, the modern day fighters are pretty much always considered not a patch on the fighters they are compared to. You then examine there record and theyve lost/gone the distance with absoltue bums yet the top fighters from modern era have no chance against them. For example, recent discussions ive seen are with julian jackson v ggg in terms of power, jackson didnt knock out a guy with a 9-16 record, yet thats okay, imagine if GGG now fought and went distance with someone like that? Another one is toney v GGG, toney struggled against tibieri and lost to thadzi (28-8) yet GGG has no chance against him. This isnt a GGG discussion and the purpose of the thread isnt to debate them particular examples, but they are most recent ive seen.
why is it that fighters from past eras are viewed to be so indestructible, and losses can be brushed aside, yet if someone from this era struggles or loses they get absolutely slaughtered?

A lot of it is nostalgia. Who's a better actor- Matt Damon or Humphrey Bogart? Bogart of course, you wimp! There's no comparison! Haha.

A lot of it's knee-jerk stuff. And I think we all have that in us to a certain degree. Plus, those fighters' careers are over and can be judged over all. For modern guys, many of them are in the midst of what they're going to do which leaves a lot of unanswered questions.

For me, I was the biggest nostalgia guy ever, but lately I've been trying to stop and think before I react so quickly. It's more than conceivable that some modern fighters beat some past fighters, of course.

You also have to look at time. Fans have been carrying the greats in their heads for a long time. When a new guy comes up and even if he's great, this strikes against the greats they've known about for years. It's a genuine threat to their core set of fighters they considered great and often times, untouchable even though, of course, they weren't.

Any fighter on any given day can be beaten in reality. All of them have weaknesses. They're human. Even the ones you watch in black and white were so very human.

I myself would pick GGG over Rocky Graziano. See? I'm coming around. Haha

[Canelo and GGG]

In all the mythical match ups, or discussions, the modern day fighters are pretty much always considered not a patch on the fighters they are compared to. You then examine there record and theyve lost/gone the distance with absoltue bums yet the top fighters from modern era have no chance against them. For example, recent discussions ive seen are with julian jackson v ggg in terms of power, jackson didnt knock out a guy with a 9-16 record, yet thats okay, imagine if GGG now fought and went distance with someone like that? Another one is toney v GGG, toney struggled against tibieri and lost to thadzi (28-8) yet GGG has no chance against him. This isnt a GGG discussion and the purpose of the thread isnt to debate them particular examples, but they are most recent ive seen.
why is it that fighters from past eras are viewed to be so indestructible, and losses can be brushed aside, yet if someone from this era struggles or loses they get absolutely slaughtered?

they are not,Ggg is not done,his tests are in front of him now ,Wladimir is done and nobody favour older fighters over him with no arguments ,i gave my arguments of why ggg lose to toney imo.as for Jackson fight i roll with my boy ggg.

[Canelo and GGG]

A lot of it is nostalgia. Who's a better actor- Matt Damon or Humphrey Bogart? Bogart of course, you wimp! There's no comparison! Haha.

A lot of it's knee-jerk stuff. And I think we all have that in us to a certain degree. Plus, those fighters' careers are over and can be judged over all. For modern guys, many of them are in the midst of what they're going to do which leaves a lot of unanswered questions.

For me, I was the biggest nostalgia guy ever, but lately I've been trying to stop and think before I react so quickly. It's more than conceivable that some modern fighters beat some past fighters, of course.

You also have to look at time. Fans have been carrying the greats in their heads for a long time. When a new guy comes up and even if he's great, this strikes against the greats they've known about for years. It's a genuine threat to their core set of fighters they considered great and often times, untouchable even though, of course, they weren't.

Any fighter on any given day can be beaten in reality. All of them have weaknesses. They're human. Even the ones you watch in black and white were so very human.

I myself would pick GGG over Rocky Graziano. See? I'm coming around. Haha

it work both ways sometimes ppl bring fighter like ggg who is not proven say he whoops Hagler ,for me There is no nostalgia ,Wladimir is done now and he is given fair treatment in Fantasy match ups and nobody miss him for sure so nostalgia.I know he is still a actiev but we know everything about him.

[Tony Trick-Pony]

it work both ways sometimes ppl bring fighter like ggg who is not proven say he whoops Hagler ,for me There is no nostalgia ,Wladimir is done now and he is given fair treatment in Fantasy match ups and nobody miss him for sure so nostalgia.I know he is still a actiev but we know everything about him.

Yeah. The world is always turning. Everyone is at a different place. Wlad has proven everything he can do in the ring whether he fights again or not and IMO, he should feel no shame about any of it.

For mystical match-ups, which for me, aren't worth a lot since they're impossible to prove, I say just use your head and give it some thought and consider what each man did in the ring and styles of course. Consider the styles and honestly just make an assessment. Think about any MM for at least five minutes and do a bit of research before blurting out an emotional response. You're bound to be more accurate and learn a lot more that way.

[Canelo and GGG]

Yeah. The world is always turning. Everyone is at a different place. Wlad has proven everything he can do in the ring whether he fights again or not and IMO, he should feel no shame about any of it.

For mystical match-ups, which for me, aren't worth a lot since they're impossible to prove, I say just use your head and give it some thought and consider what each man did in the ring and styles of course. Consider the styles and honestly just make an assessment. Think about any MM for at least five minutes and do a bit of research before blurting out an emotional response. You're bound to be more accurate and learn a lot more that way.

Yep but gloryfing old fighters happens mostly in fantasy match ups,they should be for fun but ppl get mad about them idk why,bet yea they have no sens becouse sometimes even styles and logic cant predict out come thats why ppl Love sports .

[mjbjst]

Everyone think the athletes they grew up watching are superior thats just how it is. No one can tell me Tom Brady is better than Joe Montana even though he probably is. That's how just how it is. That's just one example off the top of my head.

[MrRolltide91]

Yeah. The world is always turning. Everyone is at a different place. Wlad has proven everything he can do in the ring whether he fights again or not and IMO, he should feel no shame about any of it.

For mystical match-ups, which for me, aren't worth a lot since they're impossible to prove, I say just use your head and give it some thought and consider what each man did in the ring and styles of course. Consider the styles and honestly just make an assessment. Think about any MM for at least five minutes and do a bit of research before blurting out an emotional response. You're bound to be more accurate and learn a lot more that way.

Yep I don't even discuss those type of fights

[Tony Trick-Pony]

Yep I don't even discuss those type of fights

I used to but it's gotten really old. This is why the last match-up I made a thread about was Loma-Easter, since you know, it can actually happen? Haha. So much more interesting.

[Tony Trick-Pony]

Everyone think the athletes they grew up watching are superior thats just how it is. No one can tell me Tom Brady is better than Joe Montana even though he probably is. That's how just how it is. That's just one example off the top of my head.

Everyone builds up a profile in their head of the best in the sport they are watching. When you've held that belief, which is usually based on logic, for a long time, of course you're going to snap at the thought of any modern athlete being better than your hero. As you put it, just how it is. Good post.