Why are Heavyweight contenders getting older?

More preservatives in the food. And bedroom sets made of Tupperware materials.

 

A combination of factors.

The less hectic schedule of modern fighters means that they take longer to learn their trade and don't burn out as quickly.

 

I was going to make a similar thread for fighters in general but didn't get round to it.

I thought it was interesting in the Donaire Rigondeaux fight that they're 30 & 32 but being billed as great young fighters. Seems like in previous era's fighters involved in super fights were in their mid to late 20's although sometimes in their early 20's.

Sorry to hijack the thread.

 

its weight related. its glove related. its also related to the absence of the 15 round limit.

 

There's obviously very different factors in this that have already been mentioned so I'll add in the fact that boxing doesn't seem to be as big as it once was. It's also a testament that a good game plan, preparation, boxing skills and fundamentals will beat speed and power more times than not

 

If you look at all the fights of heavyweight champions and their opponents opponents, only 2% of all fights where scheduled for 13+ rounds.

 

Top level performers in many sports are getting older, or performing better into old age. Better medical care, better planned careers... "supplements"...

Take American football... If Adrian Peterson has the same injury in 1970, his career is over. In 2011 he comes back after a few months and is the best player in the league. Reason? Better surgical procedures and better rehab science (HGH?)...

 

it's the Rocken Roll age, we aren't old we just won't allow it, many, many of us are young in mind, life style and appearance, fitness and health. it's just as much of the Social psyche as was the MENTALLY Fit, tough as teak, No Nonsense past.

Plus as previously mentioned Fight Scheduals, Time to fully recover from any injury or health issues, MONEY to afford that luxuary and again less fights and with much less often it doesn't weed out guys who might have been weeded out long ago, nor does it cause them to burn out and grow old all of a sudden.

in Short Easier, Healthy times and Wealth, NO Hunger!

 

Lack of ability .

 

Better nutritional/medical science enables athletes to compete for longer periods of time and Boxers are included. However, the fact that fighters today don't fight as often as thier predecessors, fight fewer rounds and often (at the highest level anyway) get to handpick thier opponents thus avoiding any potential danger/damage while making the most money, helps to elongate thier careers. Bring back 15-20 round fights, make fighters fight often not once every year and make them fight top level competition more often and we wouldn't see as many older fighters ruling the roost. After losing to Marciano in a brutal fight, Archie moore, who was in his late thirties went on to fight 43 more times! That equals a modern fighter's career for chrissakes! I'm not saying there aren't any good fighters out there, nor are there fighters who haven't paid thier dues, but it's not the same anymore. Maybe I'm starting to show my age.

 

Heavyweights are getting bigger. The pace is slowing while the punches get bigger. Setting a high pace as a young pup might do you good for a while until you're taken out on a stretcher.

A veteran who might struggle with a high pace can now use his experience to dodge the real bullets like you saw Tony Thompson do against David Price recently.

The heavy class is getting more heavy.