Does a fighter's prime change depending on the weight class?

[TitoFan]

I wonder who fared worse here..... Foreman being called a whale, or Khaosai being called a hummingbird.

[SlimTrae]

My short answer is no.


I base all athletes on the same time frame be it boxer, basketball, NFL football, baseball.
Amateur years 18-22 NCAA in college or Olympics boxers.
Rookie Years 22-24
Prime years 25-35.
Post prime 35-40 up till the 1990s, where many athletes are lasting into their 40s be it Brett Favre, Tom Brady in NFL to Bhop, Pacman, PBF in boxing.
Their lifestyle out of the ring played a major part.


Seems regardless of the sport- the body's chemistry begins that downward slope at 30. Only those who had least amount of injuries maintain prime up to 35.
ATG's 35-45 (regardless of size, weight) IMO.
Post 35, Juan Maneul Marquez born 1973 turned pro 1993. 19 years later KO'd Pac, went the distance with Bradley.
H. Camacho born 1962, turned pro 1980. 17 years later went the distance with DLH. fought about 20 more fights and didn't get stopped.
Roberto Duran born 1951 turned pro 1968. 15 years later went the distance with a MW legend, Marvelous Marvin. 6 years later beat Iran Barkley. Fought for another decade.

Are these guys exceptions to the rule?

Flipping the script- JMM beat a young Juan Diaz, born in 1983 who turned pro in 2000. We don't know his true endurance/lifespan because IMO he was sidelined from high profile fights as 2010 was his last major bout. Yet fought & won his next 7 fights last being 2016. 16 years, later- the last 3 he beat were all younger by at least 3-5 years. not sure when his prime ended. But I'd wager he could compete well up to 40?

On another note- some guys who start fighting 16-17 years of age have more wear n tear?
Jorge Arce another example of a small fighter extending their years? Still in prime or due to ring smarts?

[Jambo]

I think the only difference is between Heavyweights and the rest. I’m not sure a fighter’s peak would change much generally. They all have to keep their reflexes and make weight etc. And everyone has a “fighting weight.”
But the heavy guys don’t rely on reflexes as much and don’t have to boil down to make weight. And also , it’s debatable, but I reckon that as a Heavyweight gets older, his power and punch resistance improve, and that would compensate a bit for any loss of speed.

[Alpha]

I think style and technique come into play as well. A fighter who relies on reflexes and speed will suffer as they age more so than a fighter with good fundamentals.

[NoSavingByTheBell]

I think style and technique come into play as well. A fighter who relies on reflexes and speed will suffer as they age more so than a fighter with good fundamentals.

makes you appreciate Ali for how he succeeded in his 2nd career.

[Alpha]

I think style and technique come into play as well. A fighter who relies on reflexes and speed will suffer as they age more so than a fighter with good fundamentals.

makes you appreciate Ali for how he succeeded in his 2nd career.

And guys like Hopkins.

[TitoFan]

All very good points indeed.

However, the fact remains that a 43-year old heavyweight is considered to be at the tail end of his career... but very much live.

A 43-year lightweight is sitting at home reminiscing about the good ol' days.