We have been spoiled with fighters going onto age 40 staying competitive

[Cinci Champ]

So as I watched the GGG fight Saturday night it got me thinking. This generation of fans watched Maywrather and Manny fight going on 40 years old and not just fight but stay at the top of the sport while doing it (which is one of many reasons those 2 don’t get enough respect in ATG lists)

I don’t need to make this post complicated but I think because of those 2 specifically and obviously a few others like Bernard etc we seem to forget just how fast fighters fall off after about age 35. Also in the 2000’s when PED’s were at their peak I’m sure it was in boxing as well and keeping older fighters competitive. I just think all those things combined have made us forget just how hard it is for fighters to stay on top their game as they get into their late 30’s.

People almost seemed shocked by GGG performance we’re hearing he’s sick etc. So what do you guys think have we been spoiled the last 10-20 years with star fighters staying on top of their game as they age? Specifically Manny and Mayweather and in return not given them enough respect for doing so?

[IceTrayDaGang]

there's levels to this shiiet!!! fans are so quick to call a fighter the best p4p, etc. and then this is what happens. imo, ggg was just a good fighter, he was never anything special.

[GGG Gloveking]

there's levels to this shiiet!!! fans are so quick to call a fighter the best p4p, etc. and then this is what happens. imo, ggg was just a good fighter, he was never anything special.

How many fighters above the age of 35 would you rank higher than Golovkin p4p?

[IceTrayDaGang]

How many fighters above the age of 35 would you rank higher than Golovkin p4p?

ggg is a good fighter but that's it. im sorry if this offends you but that's the truth. he's really nothing special. just had good power to knock out b-c level fighters before. this is why his fans hyped him up to be someone that he's not. "i fight mexican style" then gets murk by canelo "mexican style". i aint never view ggg the same after that lol.

[Gate_Keeper]

Nah, GGG was always a special fighter. You don't just decimate lower level fighters like that and then give a "prime" P4P fighter like Canelo the kind of difficulty he did in two fights when you're declining due to age if you're just a decent average guy. Look at Canelo vs Jacobs? Canelo basically played with him. Jacobs is an example of a fighter that's decent but has never been special. If it were that easy to do what GGG did, then every decent fighter would decimate lower level opponents easily like he did. But that rarely is the case, which is why there was so much hype around GGG in the first during his come up.

GGG is 37 and clearly had broken confidence and still managed beat Derevychenko the way he did. Most fighters in that scenario would have been washed. Does anyone really think the 33 year old version Golovkin would have fought the same way tonight as against Derevychenko? No way. Which basically means that SD, who is 33 and probably on the tail end peak of his prime, with full confidence still couldn't beat a 37 y o GGG on the decline and with broken confidence. Imo that says more about GGG than it does SD.

[IceTrayDaGang]

Nah, GGG was always a special fighter. You don't just decimate lower level fighters like that and then give a "prime" P4P fighter like Canelo the kind of difficulty he did in two fights when you're declining due to age if you're just a decent average guy. Look at Canelo vs Jacobs? Canelo basically played with him. Jacobs is an example of a fighter that's decent but has never been special. If it were that easy to do what GGG did, then every decent fighter would decimate lower level opponents easily like he did. But that rarely is the case, which is why there was so much hype around GGG in the first during his come up.

GGG is 37 and clearly had broken confidence and still managed beat year old Derevychenko the way he did. Most fighters in that scenario would have been washed. Does anyone really think the 33 year old version Golovkin would have fought the same way tonight as against 33 year old Derevychenko? No way.

style makes fight... if ggg were to fight canelo again it will end in a tko/ko in canelo's favor.

[Gate_Keeper]

style makes fight... if ggg were to fight canelo again it will end in a tko/ko in canelo's favor.

True and I do think ko is in the realm of possibility if they fight again but not because of skill, simply because of age. And while it can happen that great fighters have trouble with lower level fighters do to style, it is rare and the good fighter usually still wins decently. And even then those lower level fighters are not consistent in performance. But none of those conditions apply to GGG. He's been consistent his entire career and gave Canelo, who's in his prime, hell twice. He's proven more than just a good fighter.

[4truth]

Floyd and Pac were not the same fighters at 37 they were when they were younger, not even close. What did either do to make you think they were?

Which is easier to believe? That the same Maidana virtually shut out by Devon Alexander suddenly became awesome or that the usually awesome Floyd just wasn’t all that awesome anymore?

[GGG Gloveking]

ggg is a good fighter but that's it. im sorry if this offends you but that's the truth. he's really nothing special. just had good power to knock out b-c level fighters before. this is why his fans hyped him up to be someone that he's not. "i fight mexican style" then gets murk by canelo "mexican style". i aint never view ggg the same after that lol.

I'm not offended at all, just simply asking you a question relevant to the premise of this thread. Manny and Floyd are special. Very few other fighters will ever compete at that level at that age. Who are the best old fighters today in your opinion?

[MeanestNiceGuy]

Floyd and Pac were not the same fighters at 37 they were when they were younger, not even close. What did either do to make you think they were?

Which is easier to believe? That the same Maidana virtually shut out by Devon Alexander suddenly became awesome or that the usually awesome Floyd just wasn’t all that awesome anymore?

I'm only speaking on the bold here....though we weren't even speaking to me. Lol

The thing about Manny and Floyd is they were levels above their competiton, even at 37 or older.

Manny's movement, punches from odd angles, and the idea that he could still hurt or stop you, made him an anomaly.

As for Floyd, he did the basics waaaay better than any fighter below or above him, with the added shoulder roll and timing, he's still above other fighters.

Seeing Manny do what he did to Keith at the age of 41 says it all.