Another really good read: http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=23505&more=1 He has some very interesting insights, especially about Bowe and Lewis. The most controversial claim is probably that Louis' camp kept Louis away from mobile fighters. I also find it interesting how much emphasis Steward places on size.
Steward thinks hes some sort of boxing God and anyone that disagrees with him is an idiot, he s a great trainer but full of **** when claiming knowledge of things that happened years before he was born!
If someone who knew Louis said that to him I don't see how he is wrong to relate it. Doesn't mean it's true, though.
I am eager to hear him speak about Sonny Liston. Steward is a good trainer, but I do not think he is one of the best ever like many here claim. He is overrated in that regard. I think part II was nice, a lot of interesting things commented on by steward. I do think he makes too big of a deal on size. He uses that as the pinnacle of his arguement to claim Marciano couldn't compete today. I would have liked to hear him talk about how many of the 185lb men of today bulked up to well over 200lb using weights/supplements/modern benefits, and how marciano would have adjusted to that type of thing. I also disagree with him that Marciano had many "handicaps" because of his physical limitations. I actually think his short 67" reach benefitted his style more than hurt him. It gave him tremendous leverage in his crouch, and allowed his punches to travel a shorter distance with faster speed on the inside. Charlie Goldman said after retirment he built rocky's whole style to defeat much taller and larger men. That is why he taught rocky to fight out of a crouch and get low, so the big men would have a really difficult time finding the small ackward target. He had rocky hit a 270lb bag to develop extra punching power, so he could move those 250lb men around the ring. I feel Rocky's style suits him better against the bigger fighters, than the smaller elusive ones. I lastly disagree with him on Joe Louis losing to Ali. He harped on Louis's flaws with mobility, but failed to mention louis could capitlize on Ali's flaws of leaning back to avoid punches and vulnerability to a big left hook.
He was impressed by Marciano's ring smarts, though. When it comes to size, it's hard not to take into account that there hasn't been a HW champion as small as Marciano for some 50 years. Personally, I don't find it that interesting to match-up champions from different eras, but for those who do the above fact should carry some weight.
I agree with him. When you have two elite comparably skilled fighters, 50-60 pounds makes a difference.
supplements are no different than food.if you eat a lot of proteins and complex carbs,there is no need for supplements,so supplements are really not that important thing. i think that marciano had a 185 lbs frame,and i don't think that he would be significly bigger today. except if you are thinking on steroids and hgh when you say modern benefits,than yes,he would be bigger and stronger,something like 200-210 lbs
This could not be further from the truth in my personal experience. Quite the contrary, the impression I always get is that he is still willing to learn from others and that he enjoys hearing other view points.
Part 3 should be out later this week. :good Define "one of the best"? I think he's certainly one of the greatest. He has had three marquee champions in Hearns, Lewis, and Wlad. Also, he has been in the corner for many memorable events such as Holyfield beating Bowe in the rematch, McCall stopping Lewis, Pryor's rematch victory over Arguello, etc. Interesting points. Thanks for sharing. :good
I am a Sonny Liston hardcore ans :good. Saves me the time of having to hear your rubbish. And to think I used to have great conversations with you over at the old Black Prize fighting forum years ago.