Well, I don't want to start up this debate again, but I thought since this forum is by definition one of historical discussion that some of you may enjoy this podcast that takes on the question of toughness of generations... http://www.dancarlin.com/disp.php/h...d-School-Toughness/ history-lifecycles-empire
In what way? Are you talking about fighters who had longer careers or would that include, say, Marciano, who had a fairly short career, but he proved his toughness because of the smaller gloves, longer fights etc.?
I'm just passing along this podcast from Dan Carlin regarding the subject in a broader historical context...
I would have thought that the one parameter where nobody would question that the old timers had the edge, would be in that they were tougher than their modern counterparts. That they prety much had to be just to fight under the prevailing conditions.
Something like Gans-Nelson wouldn't be allowed today, let alone be a celebrated sporting event. Or Jeannette McVey.
Lets put it this way...forget boxers for a minute who is tougher people from the 20's 30's 40's 50's 60's 70's 80's 90's or Today.....I think there was some real hardness back in the day because more was expected of a man but fighters have also advanced in a lot of ways with modern methods and weights but I am not so sure they IMPROVED
Tunney having his stomach pumped of blood from internal bleeding from Greb's brutal body punches speaks volumes for his unmeasurable toughness. :scaredas: