Have heavyweight skills declined as they've got bigger?

The cruiserweight division has all the talented big men. Modern day heavies are too large generally speaking to be as talented as the cruisers.

 

Ha

Have to remember, todays heavyweight standard is around 240-250. 20 years ago it was 220-230, 20 years before that 200-210. Marciano could have been a light heavyweight give or take a couple pounds. The dynamics change, and fighters adapt. Makes no sense for huge guys today to bob and weave like Tyson/Frazier, dance like Ali, or bumble bee like Holyfield, its extremely energy consuming and no longer wins fights. Todays heavies still got skills, but they are much more focused on using their size to win fights effectively and efficiency. The Povetkins of today may be the last of an era unless they creat a super heavyweight division.

 

It's just a different game due to the difference in size.

I mean Ali was 6'3 215lb or even lighter in his prime, and obviously he was also a one of a kind fighter.

Someone like Wladamir Klitschko I dont know how anyone could look at and not see a highly skilled fighter, and he's hauling 247lbs around the ring, I mean have you seen many 6'6" 250lb guys? They are usually big uncoordinated lumps.

 

Basically HW is a different weightclass as it was in the ye olden days. More size means less movement, more oxygen needed for muscles etc. But also more power and strength.
It's not that strange that the current cruiserweight and light-heavyweight divisions are so skillfull these days, as like said, those were the heavyweights of yesteryear.

 

See Tyson Fury.

 

Nnaa, few body shots and uppercuts from a 6'6 240 guy would stop him in his tracks pretty quick, look what 6'4 240 Foreman did to him. Joshua, Wilder, Furys, Breazeale would do the same, with there height and reach Smokin Joe would find it tough to get on the inside without having his head land in the 6th row. Miller would eat him alive. Would have a good chance against Parker or Whyte though.

 

I think the sport, especially at heavyweight, has become less popular in some regards. We’re seeing more fighters enter the game as young men, as appose to young boys. This will have a huge impact on their overall level. Look at the two current champions, and what age they got into the sport. Now compare that to Wlad who, at 20, won the Olympic gold medal. He boxed as a child, and remained disciplined to the sport. I think Wlad debunks the idea that bigger fighters have less skill and movement because of their size. But as I said previously, this new generation for the most part simply lack the pedigree of the older generations.

 

Skillwise:

Lomachenko>Klitschko>Ali.

 

Not necessarily. How many guys have an uppercut as good as Foreman. Also, in both Foreman fights Fraizer was way overweight and was never able to keep in consistent shape after the first Ali fight. In an old magazine Eddie Futch talked about Frazier almost dumping Frazier before the Stander fight, since Joe kept skipping training.

 

It makes sense. It’s in our nature to find the easiest way possible. And as a super heavy you wield immense power that ends fights in a blink, hence you don’t have to hone the skill or stamina as much.

 

No disrespect to Joe, Frazier always look great vs Ali cause Ali was a natural straight puncher and Joe a natural bob/weave/hooker, Alis style was made for him, hence their great fights. Shape doesnt have much to do with it when your getting blastered out in 2nd and 5th rounds by a naturally big guy, and last time i checked, Wilder, Joshua and Breazeale have pretty good ko ratios and are taller than Foreman. He wouldnt be able to touch Fury, and Miller would just lean on him for 6 rounds to the point exhaustion before getting him out of there. Hed have a great shot vs Whyte and Parker though, both guys have trouble against good stocky fighters who like to come forward.

 

And that is why if there was an athletic, skilled power punching hw who was 6`2/6`4 225/235 he`d clean out the division easily. Guys simply wouldnt be able to keep up the pace. Please dont give me no David stinking Haye as an example.