Question about a fighters "prime" / "past his best"

[Fenster]

well for hopkins yes he was faster and knocked people out which he doesnt tend to do these days

calzaghe maybe but it was never really noticed as it wasnt against big names ...

joe is saying he wants to retire soon and that every training camp becomes harder than the last, why do you think that is

But Hopkins is now fighting BETTER fighters. Maybe that explains his lack of recent stoppage wins. By his own admission the Pavlik win was the BEST performance of his career.

Maybe it's the same for Calzaghe?

The bad hands seem the most logical excuse for the lack of recent KOs. Of course this, like the mental training camp struggles, is most likely due to age. But there hasn't really been a dip in his performance.. he is arguably better.

Maybe this prime stuff is really a load of bollocks. Unless it is OBVIOUS a fighter has clearly slipped badly.

[hitmanhatton]

some things can increase with age or at least dont go away as quickly but eventually the body will stop cooperating

maybe it all just depends on the fighters style and how much relies on physical gifts which can diminish