Quote Originally Posted by Max Power View Post
Now I am no pro or coach my friends, but Futch and Roach are trainers and have a vested interest in making claims like that. The facts are, they like us have access to video footage of Louis and to word of mouth.

I'd rather believe in my own 2 eyes because I can SEE that Louis's style of fighting with his total package would not be nearly as competitive today as it was in his day.

Louis was the most skilled of his time, I'll give you that!

Tell me then powerpuncher, I would like to know how, in what way, that you suppose Joe Louis has better balance and footwork and better punching technique than modern fighters?

Because they and their coaches have access to the same footage and material of Louis as you do and what you are implying is that they are all and have been stupid and ignorant for nearly the last century to implement and build upon Louis's skills and refine them as in every other sport.

Have fun watching your black and white footage of Joe Louis beating bums of the month while I enjoy colour HBO with the soothing anecdotes of my mate Larry Merchant enjoying such classics as Bowe vs Holyfield.
ill answer your question since you asked. back then, there were 4 times more boxers than there are now. they also fought more often. their opponents were hungrier (both literally and figuratively) because back then, people could fight on the circuit and fought to make ends meet. they were literally fighting for their livlihood. so yes, people have tapes of joe louis but it doesnt mean that they worked harder or had the same skill level. thats like saying that people can watch tapes of magic johnson in this day and age so obviously any decent basketball player would be able to beat him. it just makes no sense.

just so you know, im not nearly as extreme as many people are about the older fighters being heads and shoulders above the fighters these days. i understand that there are fighters now that would be champion in other eras. but i feel like you fall into the trap of thinking that people in the old days obviously werent as strong, athletic, or smart as people now. if you want to, read or watch old training tapes and you will see that they are doing the same things. training for boxing hasnt changed as much as you think. maybe a few little things but nothing huge.

i remember my wrestling coach telling us that wrestling has been around for so long that there is nothing new that we could do that hasnt already been done. there are no more new moves to be invented. if you watch old boxing, you will realize that there really hasnt been anything new invented since about the 20's or maybe 30's.