So when did Schmeling decline? in 1935 when he destroyed a ranked steve hamas in 9 one sided rounds? In 1936, when he scored not only the biggest victory of his career, but put on one of the best performances in history? How about 1937 where he destroyed future title challenger Harry Thomas in 8 rounds? Or how about 1939(the year after he lost to Louis) when he dismembered a 72-7 Adolph Heuser in one round to win the European Heavyweight Title. I think Schmeling from 1930-1939 was virtually the same fighter. I never noticed a different in speed/power/style/skills change during those years. He had a very relaxed style. A style that was good for aging.
You guys may know more than me, but if what i understand about the Hitler, Max situation is true, there is no way that Schmelling could have had the desire required to win that world championship. Dont get me wrong, i am sure that he wanted to win, and he was still a good version who would have still beaten most other heavyweights on the night (so would have the Spinks who fought tyson), but he not have the same desire he had earlier in his career or when he met Joe the first time. Compare the two first rounds. Does he even throw a right hand in the second fight? And there is no way his left is as fast or as hard in that first round? He went through the motions and was trying, but like when Dempsey fought Tunney, the desire wasnt there for Max the second time round. Would it have made a difference? well that is a separate question all together.
I suppose you'd know all about taking yer beatings like a man eh:hey Yeh but Duran backed his mouth up in Montreal did'nt he Whats new??? Hagler's always been a bitter/moody ****er & after the Leonard fight where one judge "Jose Juan Guerra" scored the fight for Leonard 118-110atsch you'd expect him to be sour & pissed off. What do you mean Mancini never the same go tell that too Bobby Chacon:smoke Bramble beat Ray twice in 2 great battles so he called it a day...........
Like every other fighter, he probably started his declne after winning the World title, but leaving that aside, i would say that his desire took a real pounding about the time he was locked in his Hotel room carrying the weight of Nazism in a political battle he really didnt want to win. That has to effect anyone (and the actual results certainly suggest it did). Of course it is possible that he maintained complete desire through all this, but it would seem a bit strange.
I think its pretty clear that pavlik lost alot of drive after the hopkins loss. he is a perfect example of a fighter who lost his hunger and drive, and now only looks good fighting soft competition.
Really i dont know about being embarrased i've always done the embarrasing,**** you and Duran ***,what SRL did against Hearns was way more impressive than Montreal,he could have quit like Duran and he took a horrible beating way worse than Duran nearly loosing his eye and he fought like a champion that he was.Hearns had better skill,speed,power,and a huge reach advantage over Ray,and Ray walked him down,and Hearns is my favorite fighter,both of them showed more guts than Duran ever showed that night.And by the way Bramble beat the holly **** out of Mancini twice idiot STFU!:finger
There's something funny about a thread about fighters losing their hunger where the primo examples... Duran, Peter, Arreola, are guys that got fat. Maybe the problem is that they found their hunger.
Oscar maintained his hunger for quite a long time despite being mega rich. The biggest change in motivation seems to be Tyson for my money
Tyson. In his autobiography by peter heller it states that Tyson wanted to retire after the Spinks fight because he felt he had cleaned out the division and there was nothing left for him to prove........if only..
Would Kostya Tszyu qualify? After the Hatton fight he kept up speculation until even recently about possible comebacks. Naseem Hamed is one for sure.
Nah. Factor in all the circumstances of that fight and it was not a great version of Schmeling. He certainly did not lose his hunger though. It was just the whole pressure on him that made him fold - hurting his back from Louis´ first punches didn´t help either though.