Are boxers fitter and stronger in the modern era?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by TIGEREDGE, Apr 23, 2011.


  1. Vantage_West

    Vantage_West ヒップホップ·プロデューサー Full Member

    20,868
    642
    Jul 11, 2006
    by the way how is your organic food retail store going?
     
  2. choklab

    choklab cocoon of horror Full Member

    27,676
    7,669
    Dec 31, 2009
    jack dempsey knew a suprising amount about diet, in his book he recomended:


    " half grapefruit or glass of fruit juice or cup of broth. A salad with olive oil and perhaps lemon juice. No vinegar! Meat -anything broiled or boiled; nothing fried. Steaks, chops or chicken. Stews are good if you need to gain weight. Also, a baked potato, if you need weight. But no pork, veal, lobster, shrimp, crabmeat, or starchy foods like spaghetti.
    For dessert: stewed fruit, prunes, apricots, pears, or rhubarb, etc. Also hot tea. No pastries." - by jack dempsey.
     
  3. Pachilles

    Pachilles Boxing Addict Full Member

    6,294
    29
    Nov 15, 2009
    I think through trial and error, like with absolutely everything else in life, boxing ability overall has improved and it is clear to see on film.

    Fighters have certainly gotten bigger. Strength , speed and stamina have increased overall i think, but the most important aspect, the mental aspect of the game i dont think has.

    The quality of life argument is pretty much nullified by the fact that throughout boxing history, the best fighters, even today, have all been poor, hungry mother****ers fighting out of boarderline poverty in alot of cases.
     
  4. jaffay

    jaffay New Orleans Hornets Full Member

    3,980
    18
    Jun 24, 2007
    any examples?
     
  5. RockyJim

    RockyJim Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,261
    2,477
    Mar 26, 2005
    No.....and most of the so called heavyweights are fat slobs who are winded after a few rounds of so called"action"...
     
  6. Swarmer

    Swarmer Patrick Full Member

    19,654
    52
    Jan 19, 2010
    :deal
     
  7. BoxingFanNo1

    BoxingFanNo1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    11,867
    13
    Jan 20, 2009
    The only division where it's had any impact of note is the HWs.
    In other divisions its minimal.

    You could take the Harry Greb that actually fought and throw him in with today's mw's and he'd clear up (Martinez could cause a few problems but that's it).
    Put Dempsey in today's HW scene and he'd struggle, not because of skill factor, just the sheer size of today's guys and not just K2.
     
  8. W1LLPARK3R

    W1LLPARK3R Well-Known Member Full Member

    1,626
    0
    Feb 16, 2011
    yes fighters are in better shape as a generalzation. Maricano was the fittest boxer of his time and one of the few who's work ethic is comparable to today's figter. Even the great SRR used to blow off training in his prime.
     
  9. slip&counter

    slip&counter Gimme some X's and O's Full Member

    24,813
    20
    Jul 23, 2008
    Nope. Definitely not fight fit, anway. No fighter in the modern era has even come close to matching Henry Armstrong's strength and fitness. Fighters today could not fight for as long or as often so don't see how they're fitter.
     
  10. anarci

    anarci Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    24,237
    64
    Jul 21, 2009
    Stronger id say most definitely... Fitter no for the most part i think fighters had better stamina back then.
     
  11. Swarmer

    Swarmer Patrick Full Member

    19,654
    52
    Jan 19, 2010
    you dont understand brah they didnt have plyometrics and HGH back then
     
  12. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

    65,926
    53,137
    Feb 11, 2005
    What are your thoughts on this?

    I would say they that the food in general may not be as nutritious but the accessibility to it is much better... thus better nutrition for the average individual... ergo limey's aren't on average 5 foot 4 and 140 pounds but much more strapping and with better teeth.
     
  13. Valane

    Valane Active Member Full Member

    1,462
    3
    Sep 11, 2010
    Drugs is about the only difference. They knew about progressive resistance training at the turn of the century as evidenced in Sandow's writings. Diet has improved due to the availability of food, not really the understanding and application of nutrition.
     
  14. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

    42,723
    275
    Jul 22, 2004
    On average and in terms of the best, yes they are
     
  15. Valane

    Valane Active Member Full Member

    1,462
    3
    Sep 11, 2010


    Compared to what era?

    I see an awful lot of modern fighters with **** stamina and in horrible condition.

    Barry is not someone i would call particularly erudite.

    Nutrition/diet guru's. We all knw what that is a proxy for. Stamina is like any other attribute some are more gifted than others.