Quote Originally Posted by pacfan
Absolutely right.
Many fighters of the good ol' days were much better than the ones today.
It's just that most fighters now are pampered just too much and turned into brats. There are no more boxing ethics of the old where they had to watch their weight at all times, where boxer's worked out throughout the year unlike many boxers now who go on training just before the fights and back to boozing and partying after that, and most importantly, they were forced to fight mandatory opponents whereas now they're fights are 'managed' by their managers and promoters to make them look good.
This is where I patently disagree..
I think that like all sports athletes in boxers have steadily evolved.
Training, population growth, nutrition, skill development, amatuer programs, etc.etc.
That's why I always get myself into trouble here.
The farther back you go the poorer the boxer would do in modern times.
There are a few exceptions, of course, a fighter who could step into a "time machine" in 19xx and materialize in the ring in 2007 and compete against any top fighter. Fighters with "super" natural ability,strength etc. that MIGHT be enough to even the playing field for them, at least to some degree.
BUT for the LARGE majority of old fighters against a modern athelte...no chance, not even close.
Of course Lewis is a modern era fighter and In his prime was very good. I don't even think I'd call him great. I don't think I'm ready to start talking Prime vs Prime with Lewis. He only JUST retired!

Also to CUTMEMICK please try and avoid discouraging my enthusiasm for Valuev with all those pesky "facts". I took Valuev's side here, from the start ,long ago because every one took such pleasure in gangsh1tting on the guy. I'm sticking with him. Some one has to. I give the odd real opinion (big george etc) just to let you guys know I'm not totally off my nut!