Age of peak

I've always found boxing slightly strange for the ages boxers continue to fight to. Many now continue well into their thirties/ forties and boxers have always fought well past what you would normally consider someones best.

Given that the training in a run up to a fight is some of the most gruelling in any sport and the sport itself isn't easy either, you would have thought that would have reduced careers and not extended them.

You would have thought that someone is their early 20's would have the edge over a guy who was 30, but in boxing more than any sport, it doesn't seem the case.

Just wondering what people think on:

When a boxer peaks

Why it isn't in their early 20's when most of us are in our physical peak

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Originally Posted by 0james0

I've always found boxing slightly strange for the ages boxers continue to fight to. Many now continue well into their thirties/ forties and boxers have always fought well past what you would normally consider someones best.

Given that the training in a run up to a fight is some of the most gruelling in any sport and the sport itself isn't easy either, you would have thought that would have reduced careers and not extended them.

You would have thought that someone is their early 20's would have the edge over a guy who was 30, but in boxing more than any sport, it doesn't seem the case.

Just wondering what people think on:

When a boxer peaks

Why it isn't in their early 20's when most of us are in our physical peak

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experience, innovative training techniques, and supplements which can keep a fighter healthier at an older age compared to the fighters back in the day

There are too many variables to give a definitive answer.

Sometimes you can just be matched better. It seems Tyson's peak seemed to be right up until he fought Buster Douglas. ;D

Depends on a lot of different things but I will tell you, one thing is certain....

Due to the wear and tear from hardcore training, their offensive output, and usual lack of proper defense; pressure fighters have the fewest peak years.

I think Boxer/Punchers or Pure boxers last longer

I'm trying to think of other demanding sports, compare it to football for example. The worlds best players are mostly all under 25 (Rooney, Messi, Ronaldo) there are many others who ripen with age, but the very best are normally the younger guys.

Take a look through the pound for pound in each weight class and you'll see the top in each weight is over 30. All but the smallest, this is probably while fighters still grow.

It must be something to do not only with the knowledge, but how your body develops. Using say Khan as an example, your a man at 18, but his physical shape is completley different now than a few years ago and we expect him to get bigger and stronger with age.

I think your right though, punchers get wear and tear quicker, mainly due to their intent on slugging it out. The cumulative effect of punches takes effect later on.

How the hell did the old dogs do 150 fights? Especially seeing some if not most were 15+ rounds.

Which asks another question, will anyone ever come close or be able to repeat those feats? Given that we all would agree modern boxers are fitter and better conditioned. None of this fight every 6 month bollocks!

Guys like ricky hatton, diego corrales, and gatti age faster....

Guys like Hopkins, Mayweather age much slower..

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Originally Posted by Hunter

Guys like ricky hatton, diego corrales, and gatti age faster....

Guys like Hopkins, Mayweather age much slower..

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Thereby further proving my point. Hatton was a pressure fighter, Gatti WAS a pressure fighter but learned to box further extendeing his career and Corrales never learned defense which shortened his career.

Hopkins, Mayweather, and hell you could throw in Toney, Holyfield, and even Lennox Lewis aged well because of defense or limiting damage done to them by their opponents.

Look at Mike Tyson even WITH a proper defense he wasn't able to muster the same punch output or combination punching after his early 20's....yes part of that was due to his attitude but look at Jose Torres or Floyd Patterson...those guys had very short primes