Jack Dempsey fought 61 times in 13 years

[Master]

Yet you say Wlad fights world beaters like Leapai.

[Max Power]

Yet you say Wlad fights world beaters like Leapai.

I did not say Leapai was a world beater, he is obviously not. I just said he was not a bum!

[Beanflicker]

Leapia or whatever the fuck his name is isn't a great fighter by any stretch, but at least he's a full time professional fighter.

A lot of these fucking guys from the early 1900's - especially during the great depression - these were fucking dopes who didn't belong in the ring but were trying to earn a buck for their families. Yeah, it's admirable, and yeah, you have to hand it to them for their courage. But were they great fighters? Fuck no. Jesus Christ, I've seen Joe Louis roll over guys who weren't good enough to fight in a bar, let alone in the professional ring with a champion.

People want to get a hard on for historical guys and believe they were the greatest, they'd whip anyone, they were tougher, they never ducked anyone, blah blah blah. Like Leo Tolstoy said, “History would be a wonderful thing – if it were only true.”

[brocktonblockbust]

The HW Era from Jack Johnson to Rocky Marciano was the best ever. Guys like Max Baer, Primo Carnera, JJ Braddock, Max Schmeling, Jess Willard, Jack Dempsey, Johnson, Firpo, Tunney, Galento, Sharkey, Walcott, Rex layne, Harry Kid matthews, these were the best and most tough HW's of any era.

[greynotsoold]

In the early part of the 1900s there were generally about 5000 registered pro fighters in NYC. That is more than there are in the world today, or than have been at any time over the last 20 years or more. So, sure, you are going to have some less than stellar guys in that number.
In those days, however, you made your money from live gates, and people pay to see good fights. that is in direct contrast to the recent practice of pitting top guys against losers just so they get kos. But then, you had to fight to get paid. In my youth, the Olympic Auditorium made money doing fights, and had for years before, because Don "War A Week" Chargin made good fight. In the 1990s, that same arena lost money doing fights with popular Mexican fighters because they put them in with victims.

[Max Power]

I guess it all depends on what you want to see isn't it.

@greynotsoold

You totally neglected to mention something very important in your figure here for 1900...

There WERE no amateur programs then! And these low level pro boxers fought for a nickel! They were side show freaks! That has nothing in common with what we NOW refer to as "professional" boxing. They were professional in name only!

Before professional boxers start fighting today they have already had a career, sometimes an enormous one at ammy. We call this a pedigree today.

Calling top contenders opponents today losers by comparison with the opponents of way in the past top contenders is immediately falsifiable by checking the records of these olden days KOed guys. They were losers too by your definition.

They didn't call Louis run the bum of the month club for nothing.

The difference today is that some of the guys you CALL bums today are actually decent boxers with decent records. In previous generations they were not only bummy boxers, but they were sometimes ACTUAL bums too!

Today's boxer is more of an elite athlete trained rigorously. Previous "pro" boxers sometimes worked an 8 hr shift and THEN trained with what little resources and energy and time they had left! Sorry but that simply doesn't compare with even generations like the 50's, 60's and 70's let alone the 80's+!

[Master]

Today's boxer is more of an elite athlete trained rigorously. You are stupid beyond belief if you believe that. Chisroa was a joke against Fury. No way was he conditioned. He was just a punch bag. Are you blind or just ignorant.