Are boxers fitter and stronger in the modern era?

Well it depends on what fighters from any era we're talking about. What Manny Pacquaio does in the ring, combining workrate with speed, movement on the tip toes, power is near unprecidented. In terms of HWs, how many 240lb boxers have thrown 90punches per round on round like the Klits?

In terms of strength, this really isn't close, the average strength even in the lower weights has improved plenty

In terms of stamina, generally improvements aren't clear across the board and there are plenty out of shape today. BUT, How many old time fights do you watch? Many fight at a slow pace, or with little intensity, and use old pro tricks to, obviously there are exceptions to this none the less

 

I think in a generalistic sense it has probably improved, although the ceiling is individual, hence why you have guys like Armstrong, Marciano, Pryor, et cetera from supossedly less advanced era's .

Vitali's output is offest by the fact that he is an arm puncher, he has decent natural stamina regardless, Wlad has bad stamina, he has improved in recent years because he can fight at his own pace and rest in the clinches because modern heavy's don't fight out of the clinches properly.

I think strength has improved with less of a negative attached to weight training, although the knowledge was always out there, it was just under utilised.

Barry referencing 2% bodyfat is amusing, somebody needs to explain bodyfat percentages to him, that is impossible natural. The Haye analogy is weird and baseless too, as both he and wlad would be subject to the same training as would be the case in any other era.

Ken's training didn't seem to hurt him much either, all in all a shitty article, although i can see the underlying point.

 

I don't see how anyone can make this statement given the lack of footage of the man.

 

Throw in Freddie Steele instead and he cleans up.

 

like is said on the british i believe they probably are as fit or maybe fitter but they dont have the same determination or will as they did back in the day

 

Freddie Steele doesn't get thrown in enough to such scenarios. :good

As for the thread, I'd say that modern boxers are stronger, for three main reasons (not necessarily in order):

1)Chemical assistance/supplements
2)12 round fight distance
3)Fighting less frequently

The first is self-explanatory.

The second is also crucial, because guys can sell out for more superficial muscle for short-term strength and explosiveness at the expense of muscle conditioning due to the shorter fight length. Fighters training for 15, 20 + round fights couldn't afford to pack on more muscle because it was more likely to bite them in the ass at the end of a long fight or a very busy one. And, given the training needed to adequately perform for such long fights, they likely couldn't have held the extra muscle on without chemical assistance in the first place. As a result, you can see muscled up fighters today that may have been stronger in the short run or over 12 rounds, but that still hasn't stopped ripped guys like Jermain Taylor or Wlad from gassing out in their careers.

Fighting less frequently is another factor that doesn't get mentioned as much, but still has an impact because guys today have the luxury of having full, multi-week training camps and can plan out when they're going to "peak". This is something that while not unheard of, wasn't as common except for the most important fights.