Its very common for people to talk about the old days...in any sport.
The fact is that old atheletes could not compete with modern atheletes period. In any quantitative sport it is obvious. 100 yard dash,weight lifting etc. There is no question. It is resonable to assume that the same would hold true for other athletic events such as boxing.
I thought my argument was well expressed. Foreman was great against 5'10 frazier. Foreman was "big" at 217 pounds. He would be destroyed today. Maskaev,Rahman etc are all 245+ and much better all around boxers. Athletes are better conditioned,trained etc and there is a 1000 times larger pool of athletes competing for spots in professional sports. I think every top 10 fighter today would beat any fighter from the 60's. Thats why i dont usually get into these type of discussions. In the javalin throw in track and field they had to re-design the javalin because the athletes were throwing it so far it was landing in the stands! They would have had to make it a seperate event held outside of the stadiums! To say that some javelin gold medalist from 1940 would beat the best in the world today is ridiculous. The numbers dont lie. I like to see current fighters getting the credit and recognision that they deserve. I laugh when people snort at minor belts like NABF or something. Try and win one, see how easy it is. Hey I may be wrong. But teh more i defend Valuev...the more I like him! Hope he proves me right agains Jameel Mcline!