Our Aging Sport

[JazMerkin]

If you accept that conditions - technology, training, nutrition - are far more favourable to modern fighters, then how come you believe the standard of boxing has deteriorated so badly?

Your argument that less people competing thins out the overall quality is totally understandable. However, modern fighters are blessed with all the knowledge that has gone before them. They're in a position to better preserve their bodies which should lead to a consistently higher standard of performance.

It seems to me that you are saying all modern-day fighters/trainers are utterly thick? If not, why haven't they been able to imitate the "far superior" boxing ability of past champions?

I think that one possible reason that I posted in another thread is a lack of consistency in who trains them. I said in another thread that I don't believe it is just coincidence that those present fighters who have the most 'craft' are those who have been around the same group of people from when they first put on the gloves to the present day so there is a consistency of teaching. This is true for Mayweather with his uncles & father, Hopkins with Bouie Fisher & then Nazim, both Marquez bros & Nacho (& Zaragoza in Rafa's case who was a student of Nacho) & Ward with Virgil Hunter.

I think there has become a culture of thinking you need to go to a Roach or Steward to improve. Not that they don't necessarily do that, but I think in a number of cases, they have far less effect. For me, Amir Khan now has simply gone back more to how he used to be in the amateurs, whereas early in his pro career he seemed to think that as he didn't have to worry about losing points for getting hit anymore so he just stood in front of opponents & let off quick combos. Oscar De La Hoya went through about half a dozen trainers after leaving his amateur trainer who started him in the pros (I think he was called Victor Salazar), but the only one you could argue actually improved him was Floyd Sr.

The experience obviously plays a factor, but I think it's simplistic to say fighters are all just less skilled nowadays. I think Killer's post was probably the one that addressed why it might be.

[marbleheadmaui]

If you accept that conditions - technology, training, nutrition - are far more favourable to modern fighters, then how come you believe the standard of boxing has deteriorated so badly?

Your argument that less people competing thins out the overall quality is totally understandable. However, modern fighters are blessed with all the knowledge that has gone before them. They're in a position to better preserve their bodies which should lead to a consistently higher standard of performance.

It seems to me that you are saying all modern-day fighters/trainers are utterly thick? If not, why haven't they been able to imitate the "far superior" boxing ability of past champions?

I think that one possible reason that I posted in another thread is a lack of consistency in who trains them. I said in another thread that I don't believe it is just coincidence that those present fighters who have the most 'craft' are those who have been around the same group of people from when they first put on the gloves to the present day so there is a consistency of teaching. This is true for Mayweather with his uncles & father, Hopkins with Bouie Fisher & then Nazim, both Marquez bros & Nacho (& Zaragoza in Rafa's case who was a student of Nacho) & Ward with Virgil Hunter.

I think there has become a culture of thinking you need to go to a Roach or Steward to improve. Not that they don't necessarily do that, but I think in a number of cases, they have far less effect. For me, Amir Khan now has simply gone back more to how he used to be in the amateurs, whereas early in his pro career he seemed to think that as he didn't have to worry about losing points for getting hit anymore so he just stood in front of opponents & let off quick combos. Oscar De La Hoya went through about half a dozen trainers after leaving his amateur trainer who started him in the pros (I think he was called Victor Salazar), but the only one you could argue actually improved him was Floyd Sr.

The experience obviously plays a factor, but I think it's simplistic to say fighters are all just less skilled nowadays. I think Killer's post was probably the one that addressed why it might be.

Good thought. On your last, it may be simplistic, but it ain't wrong