Age in boxing, time to update out of date views

[Earl-Hickey]

Most elite level fighters are no longer finished in their mid 30s

Times have changed, these guys aren't training on a diet of meat and potato's, washed down with beer and cigarettes, they also aren't fighting every few weeks. This isn't the 60s where dudes were washed up at 32

These guys fight a couple of times a year, have in house nutritionists, sports massages, most of them are on PED's etc

Just because a fighter is 36, 37, 38 or whatever, you have to start judging age on a case by case basis.

[NUCLEAR]

Sports Science and Nutrition has come along way. Also those old breed of fighters have a very bad lifestyle which takes a toll in the long run.

[Pac=Duran]

Most elite level fighters are no longer finished in their mid 30s

Times have changed, these guys aren't training on a diet of meat and potato's, washed down with beer and cigarettes, they also aren't fighting every few weeks. This isn't the 60s where dudes were washed up at 32

These guys fight a couple of times a year, have in house nutritionists, sports massages, most of them are on PED's etc

Just because a fighter is 36, 37, 38 or whatever, you have to start judging age on a case by case basis.

Totally agree. Look at Wlad. Pretty much prime in his last fight vs Josh. He kept himself in tip top shape all year round, no booze no partying and top tier TRT and medical care. These heavies are still good to go at 40 now.

[GrandpaBernard]

Fighting only twice a year helps too

[Boxing-1013]

Sports Science and Nutrition has come along way. Also those old breed of fighters have a very bad lifestyle which takes a toll in the long run.

yes........

[Sweet Scions]

Precisely. With every other baseline aspect of performance having improved across the board owing to technological advancements, greater knowledge and more sophisticated training and nutrition, why would longevity be any different?

[Zelda]

Totally agree. Look at Wlad. Pretty much prime in his last fight vs Josh. He kept himself in tip top shape all year round, no booze no partying and top tier TRT and medical care. These heavies are still good to go at 40 now.

Sports science has changed and the boxers are fitter, yes, but in no way was Vlad "prime" against Joshua. Not even close. He bloody came out of retirement to fight AJ for the money, let's be honest.

You may still be able to fight at 40 and be in pretty good shape too, but that doesn't mean your stamina is at the same level as when you were 25. Neither is your body able to take the shots and recover the way it did when you were younger. The good boxers change their games and styles accordingly so reduce the risks.

[JakeTheBoxer]

Past elite fighters had much more tough fights.

[Earl-Hickey]

Sports science has changed and the boxers are fitter, yes, but in no way was Vlad "prime" against Joshua. Not even close. He bloody came out of retirement to fight AJ for the money, let's be honest.

You may still be able to fight at 40 and be in pretty good shape too, but that doesn't mean your stamina is at the same level as when you were 25. Neither is your body able to take the shots and recover the way it did when you were younger. The good boxers change their games and styles accordingly so reduce the risks.

I'll tell you this for nothing Wlads stamina at 39 was better than at 25, he was notorious for gassing out as a youngster, his stamina at 39 was way better simply because with age and experience came the ability to remain calm in the ring, he rode out the 3rd round crisis like only a seasoned veteran can.

[sunny31]

I'll tell you this for nothing Wlads stamina at 39 was better than at 25, he was notorious for gassing out as a youngster, his stamina at 39 was way better simply because with age and experience came the ability to remain calm in the ring, he rode out the 3rd round crisis like only a seasoned veteran can.

Spot on here, and interesting thread. Yes I would say Wlad peaked in his mid 30s and was still a very good fighter against Joshua. He reminded me of Shane Mosley against Margarito, yes one guy won and the other lost, but I felt they both turned back the clock on those respective performances.

Wlad let it all hang out, speed was still there, timing, movement was great, and he was still fresh in the second half of the fight, you can tell when someone is washed, wlad def was not.