Have boxing skills progressed, or have they regressed?

But what you're doing here is comparing, cherrypicking if you like, recognised ATGs against current champions.

Outstanding talent comes along essentially randomly and you're picking from amongst all of boxing history. This does not constitute an argument that boxing as a whole has become less skilled.

I don't think that anyone was claiming that the current generation of champions are the greatest ever, merely that overall pro boxing skills have improved or at the least, evolved.

 

This is a hard question to answer. Are we talking about comparing todays fighters to the 90s, 80s, 70s...?

If we compare fighters now to those of the 30s, than no, it has progressed, but from the 70's and 80s until not, then in my opinion matches yours

 

When I read this title I immediately thought of Gene Tunney he to me was the first glimpse of the future by using skills,athleticism,and his intellect.

 

Your point is garbage. Why aren't the fighters today regarded as the best of all time? It depends on who you ask, but it's largely because they aren't finished yet and the jury's still out on their place in history. Ray Robinson wasn't regarded as the best ever early in his career either. By the way, where's that video evidence of amazing skills lost?

 

WOW, first I take my hat off to you since you ask probably the most intelligent question here and it also makes the reader think for a moment. I say it's complicated for the fact I believe that everyone has their own styles when it comes to boxing since each individual has to utilize the skills they have. Not everyone is going to fight the same since not everyone can't be technical sound like Mayweather, Ward, and Rigo for example. I think boxing has regressed as far pure fundamental boxer goes since there's not a lot of these fighters around since majority of fighters abandon the fundamental of boxing instead result into a boxer/puncher/ or brawler but that's based on the individual. Today's fighters have the advantage as far as nutrition and training equipment goes but not training since a lot of old time fighters use to go 15 rounds ! I think the biggest thing why you don't see a lot of skills is because these fighters today don't really care about learning their craft and just all about money. The ones that have decent talent earn a good amount but as soon they get battle tested they and lose they fade away as quickly as they started. I think I can go on forever about this topic with pros and cons but it's going to turn into a book at this point lol

 

Knocking Louis down was the worst thing Tony could of done since it induced a rage in Joe and made him tear Galento to pieces...Louis displayed skills in the ring that haven't been seen since.

 

Take your meds and sit your ass down, nutbag.

 

I don't think I have ever read anything, anywhere as completely wrong as the above words. You do realise the term p4p was coined to describe SRR, long before his career was over?

As for the thread title, I think todays boxers are fitter, stronger, and more athletic than boxers of the past. But as far as pure boxing skills are concerned the vast majority are far behind the older guys.

 

Ultimately, boxing skills have regressed, particularly in my view in terms of inside fighting, cutting off the ring, and using good upper head/body movement. There are very few fighters around that have the ability to do any of those things well anymore, much less all three of them.

And naturally some divisions(cough, Heavyweight) have regressed for other reasons. More athletes going to other sports, less dedication causing fighters to not get in any kind of shape, etc. Makes it easy for the KBros, since while they are far from fluid boxers, there's nobody there that has the tools to take advantage of their flaws anymore and to their credit, they always come in shape.