Rate this overall era.

[VG_Addict]

How would you rate this overall era of boxing? How good do you think the fighters today are?

[Ron Swanson]

Depends on the aspects.

I think fighting at range is as good as or better than ever. Not as diverse as in past years because of the natural course of refinement. Effective techniques are kept and ineffective or dangerous techniques are eliminated.

Athleticism is at an all time high because that is how evolution works.

Toughness is at an all time low because it is not necessarily to our society anymore.

Educated infighting like truly great trainers has joined the dodo, perhaps these things are connected.

As a generalization I would say this era is the same as all eras. Some good divisions, some bad. The good rotates like the bad.

At first glance one would think there is less quality depth because there are less major upsets but I think that is a product of exaggerated preparation. Across the board in all sports the perceived favorite gets more and more successful. Because the perceived favorite is in shape and eating right and not drinking the night before an event. Our greater understanding of how to peak the bodies performance means that the better athlete doesn't "not have it that night" as often.

Gone are the days an NFL QB will drink a 6 pack before a game like Sonny Jurgenson. The sport is ruled by those that do the most to be prepared. As is boxing and all sports. For better or worse sport is homogenized. I say for worse because I love variety and surprise and it seems these days the greatest surprise is a great fight actually being made. Lots of great fights happen but few are made, it's mostly by accident. Perhaps it always was.

[Beanflicker]

I think it's a great era. Floyd and Manny are two legit ATG, top of the line fighters, and there seems to be multiple competitive divisions with big fights still to be made.

[powerpuncher]

i think that there are some quality guys at the top but not much depth. ill just show an example. here are the recent ring p4p fighters

mayweather
gonzales
wlad
ggg
rigo
pac
froch
kovalev
crawford
yamanaka (really? ive never even seen him fight)

here is a random one from october 1999

jones
mayweather
trinidad
de la hoya
mosley
mark johnson
ricardo lopez
morales
bhop
stevie johnson

to me, i feel like 1999 is not way better but definitely a step up from right now. i understand that we are talking about this "era" and not right this second but i think these lists are a little telling. i do feel like we have slowly lost some better fighters in the past 20 or so years. i think that there may be some exaggeration on how bad this era is by some people but i do think that it isnt as good as it has been in the past and i dont believe that we have as many sure HOFers (well, what i would consider a HOFer anyway) as we had in the past.

thats my two cents.

[Master]

If max power was here he would say it is the greatest era ever because of diet, training and modern technology.

[SlimTrae]

Good question, please set the boundaries, where does "this" era begin?

Guys like Nonito Donaire to Sergio Martinez are still fighting ..... not retired and most of all: Were considered P4P before losing in the past two years or so.

Those 2 were NEVER on my list, but for those who did have them listed, would then have to defend their answers by using those who have been placed on THEIR p4p list(s) of this era.

Then there are the over achievers: greats from the previous era still dominating.