Quote Originally Posted by Mr140 View Post
Also look at how well Holmes did in the 90's and he was pretty much a mold for Ali. He should got the nod and the belt off McCall a man who knocked Lewis out. Hell he also beat Mercer with ease a guy Lewis got gift against pretty much. My how the times now are so much better its crazy right.
Another serious problem with the logic.

The 3 incidences that are brang up most readily are comebacking Holmes and Foreman against the 90's fighters and old Holyfield against the 00's fighters. First of all, old greats have been coming back a decade or more past their prime throughout boxing history and have performed at the top level. It's only these 3 that are invoked to prove a point, Holmes and Foreman to protect the idea of a golden age (of which the 90's was clearly better), Holyfield to dismiss the Klitshko era.

By this logic then, every genertaion has been steadily getting worse since the fossils of the previous era(s) could hang with them. Something isn't quite right with that theory is it.

The answer is that athleticism and youth play big roles in boxing which is why they will always be successful qualities yet almost equally important is experience and ring IQ!

When Sultan Ibragimov takes on Evander Holyfield, he's not just fighting an older version, but one with the experience of an entire career worth of fights under his belt, same as Holmes vs Mercer.

No I don't think that Holyfield was as good as the prime Holyfield. But I think the difference is not so great as you make it seem!

Holmes and Foreman have even further advantages in their old age, they also had a weight advantage. Weight is such an important factor in boxing that it can make even a bum oppoennt dangerous. The chub might have been detrimental to their athleticism but certainly added to chin and crude power and resistance.

Besides, MErcer was a tanker, he hit hard and took a lot of punches, McCall was inconsistent, Valuev was an oaf, none of them actually fought many live bodies and WON did they??

In the case of Foreman I would even go so far as to say that old Foreman was just as effective as young Foreman!!