I was reading old ring magazine articles online thanks to someone on here sharing the information that the full ring magazine library is free I came across an old article questioning Jack Dempseys abilities in comparison to the older fighters of the past This was in July of 1923 People just love history and nostalgia
There long has been a controversy regarding the ability of Jack Demp sey, the present heavyweight champion of the world, in comparison to champions of other eras. Various opinions have been expressed as to his hitting ability, his boxing, his speed and finally his endurance. As long as the world rolls on there will still be those who maintain that the fighters of the past were the real goods and that those of five era in exist ence at the time of the argument, whether it be fifty or 500 years from now, are only counterfeits. Who knows but the fighters of 100 years ago if they could be re-incarnated, would not be every bit as good as those of the modern school?
yes, there is truth in all of that, but the fight schedule factor is often conveniently left out of Today vs Then conversations... it's not that there aren't great fighters today, there is, of course there is, but it is a Fair Question to ask, how many of them would remain at the Top if they were fighting double & triple fight schedule's and many more Top & Noted fighters??? it is a Fair Question for 2 Main Reasons, the 1st being, that it is highly possible with such realities, they, today's leaders, 'might' just fall short of Top Heights and some would fall away altogether. the 2cd being, that it CANNOT be taken from past fighters, because they Did It, it is already done, it is Recorded History, and believe it, under such realities that changes a lot for most. So, it is Fair to compare the two Eras, then vs today's.
If Figg and his cudgels was back in action he'd teach all these whippersnappers what a romantic time was about.
and REMAIN on Top, is the same thing as to their ability or greatness IF they were burdened with such busy fight schedules.
It’s a two way street: Would these old timer and supposedly more durable fighters find their way to the top if they had to deal with a slower fight schedule full of gifted boxers who had full training camps? Maybe their supposed gifts of not tearing ligaments an/or getting arthritis would be nullified and keep them out of top ten rankings.