Hats Off To The 35+ Fighters Of Today

[BoomBoom]

This year so far there have been some very immpressive and record breaking performances by some aging fighters. Hopkins, Jones, Johnson, Phillips, Tarver, Mosley, Casamayor, Forrest, Campbell, Calzaghe, sh@t the list can go on forever. These guys have accomplished some remarkable things at an age where many would consider a fighter to be far removed from his prime. I think that this year in particular there are a incredible amout of older fighters that are either champions or to contenders and I applaud them all for turning back the clock and pulling out some memorable performances.

[XaduBoxer]

You can add 2 division champ Gerry Penalosa...

[WelshDevilRob]

Those guys are a credit to the sport and have shown great dedication.

[JLAQ]

Gerry Penalosa is way underrated.

[donnydarkoIRL]

Yeah what a great year for the matured guys.

[XaduBoxer]

Almost 35 years old JMM failed to make the list...

.

[Kenneth B]

I would throw Andrew Golota in there, who looked good in his last fight at 40. Everyone is well aware of his limitations but when he kept his head he was always very good, especially in the Chris Byrd fight when he was 35+

[LondonBB]

Hats off to them all!

I think the reason that boxers are now still boxing past the 35 years old bracket is due to improvements in sports nutrition and technology.

I know with my own sport (bodybuilding) that a physique can not mature properly or develop enough until someone is around 35-38 (thats when a bodybuilder peaks) as it takes 10-15 years of bodybuilding to build such a quality physique.

Due to enhancements in sports technology, training methods, standard of living and nutrition it means athletes can continue for longer and perhaps peak slightly later on in their career rather than say mid to late 20's.

I think with the likes of hopkins, infact he is a rather unique boxer in the way that he has adapted his game so that his age hasnt really hinrded him. I dont mean that hes got dirtier and dirtier lol. I mean that he is a v clever fighter, simmilar to the way ali was against foreman...adapting ones game to make more use of the strong points and tactics as opposed to physicak prowess, they effectively refine their skills and their ring craft as they get older.

Aswell as a huge development recently in sports nutrition/standard of living etc means that fighters can stay in great shape for much longer, with the help of modern trainers and dieticians etc etc.

Maybe in 20 years time, boxers will be peaking in their late 30's? Afterall a mans physical strength doesnt peak until he is around mid to late thirties.

Im also convinced that boxers could gain a lot by adopting some methods of bodybuilding, not just to get in better condition obviously or make the weight by reducing bodyfat, but also adding strength to their punch and for increasing the amout of punishment they can take.

[LEGION]

Hats off to the geezers of Sweet Science

By 2015, we'll be seeing guys riding into the ring on hove-rounds' and drinking a geritol sports drink in between rounds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZcZ9HNsdwQ&NR=1

[ono]

Sports science and nutrition is becoming very important and the results are astounding.

43 and still at the very top is fantastic.

I also think the older fighters have adapted their style's to be equally/more as effective as they were maybe 10 years ago.

[:::PSL:::]

You can add 2 division champ Gerry Penalosa...

Fwockin-A

[DaxxKahn]

Gerry Penalosa is way underrated.

Gerry is a spoiler extrodinare my man!!! and a damn good fighter...not a favorite of mine but you have to give the man his due......The thread was "Hat's off to 35+ year old fighters of today"...

Meaning prop's to these guys that manage to keep in the world title mix....Gerry seems to be doing that last time I checked...

Rep to ya BoomBoom for the appreciation thread