Has the talent pool in boxing declined in the last 10 years?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by mr fists, Oct 25, 2012.


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  1. mr fists

    mr fists Active Member Full Member

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    When you compare the top fighters of each division today, how well do you think they stack up to the best from 10 years ago?
    eg, at hw: lennox lewis v wlad klit
    cw: jirov v ross (who was robbed against cunningham and hernandez)
    lhw: rjj v chad dawson
    smw: calzaghe v ward
    mw: Hopkins v martinez
    jmw: De La hoya v mayweather
    ww: Vernon Forrest v pac
    jww: tszyu v bradley/ jmm
    lw: mayweather v vazquez
    sfw: casamayor v broner
    fw: Barrera v gamboa
    sbw: Pac v donaire
    bw: Sahaprom/ austin v moreno

    IMO the talent pool today is a shadow of even 10 years ago. there are very few 2012 boxers who i would consider clear favourites in these fights- ward and donaire- and even then i wouldn't be very confident. I think its the same story for the depth of the divisions as well.
     
    mr fists, Oct 25, 2012
    mr fists, Oct 25, 2012
    #1
  2. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    In the UK, this is not the case. The talent pool declined dramatically, as it did in the states, between the 40's and 2000 but there are more am's in this country than there have been in more than a decade.
     
    McGrain, Oct 25, 2012
    McGrain, Oct 25, 2012
    #2
  3. RazorHandz

    RazorHandz Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I think the talent pool is better than it was in 05/06 though.
     
    RazorHandz, Oct 25, 2012
    RazorHandz, Oct 25, 2012
    #3
  4. Xerant

    Xerant Gotta Hate negociations! Full Member

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    I think the size of figthers ball has shrink by a large margin compare to 10 years ago.
     
    Xerant, Oct 25, 2012
    Xerant, Oct 25, 2012
    #4
  5. Boxalot

    Boxalot Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I'd only make Mayweather and Donaire definite favourites in their respective fights.

    Pacquiao, Ward, Martinez and Bradley/JMM all have excellent chances though.
     
    Boxalot, Oct 25, 2012
    Boxalot, Oct 25, 2012
    #5
  6. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace

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    Let me see in a topdog 02 v 12 version matchup I see it like the following:

    Hw: Lewis beats Wlad 1-0
    Cw: Huck beats Joriv 1-1
    Lhw: Jones beats Dawson 2-1
    Smw: Ward beats Calzaghe 2-2
    Mw: Martinez beats Hopkins 2-3
    Lmw: Mayweather beats De La Hoya 2-4
    Ww: Pacquiao beats Forrest 2-5
    Lww: Tzsyu beats Garcia 3-5
    Lw: Mayweather beats De Marco 4-5
    Sfw: Freitas/Casa beats Uchiyama 5-5
    Fw: Barrera beats Salido 6-5
    Sbw: Donaire beats Pac/Ayala 6-6
    Bw: Moreno beats Sahaprom 6-7
    Sflw: Narvaez beats Choo 6-8
    Flw: Pong beats Idaho (whatever he's called) 7-8
    Lflw: Arce beats Gonzalez 8-8
    Stw: Aguirre beats (whoever just beat Joyi). 9-8

    At the top of the division it seems pretty evenly matched to me. Was interesting though.
     
    lufcrazy, Oct 25, 2012
    lufcrazy, Oct 25, 2012
    #6
  7. Dipset

    Dipset Dipset4Ever Full Member

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    In the US you're potential fighters now play Basket ball, Base ball, NFL...or even MMA...

    In the UK Boxing is still big...
     
    Dipset, Oct 25, 2012
    Dipset, Oct 25, 2012
    #7
  8. mr fists

    mr fists Active Member Full Member

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    No, boxing is still a minority sport on a par with snooker or darts over here, it only gets mainstream attention when khan or haye fight. UFC hasn't really caught on over here though, while it's probably overtaken boxing in the us.
     
    mr fists, Oct 25, 2012
    mr fists, Oct 25, 2012
    #8
  9. Dipset

    Dipset Dipset4Ever Full Member

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    Look mate...when there is a fight here everyone knows, we have very good exposure in boxing they show it on bloody channel 5 mate...what are you talking about. York hall, Alexandria Palace, M.E.N, Blue water, O2 arena, Excel, Echo arena, Liverpool olympia, capital fm arena nottingham, brentwood centre. west ham stadium.

    when there is a fight lots of people know & go.
     
    Dipset, Oct 25, 2012
    Dipset, Oct 25, 2012
    #9
  10. SJS19

    SJS19 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Boxing is not that big in the U.K and it never will be unless it becomes standard for school P.E lessons.
     
    SJS19, Oct 25, 2012
    SJS19, Oct 25, 2012
    #10
  11. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace

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    when Hatton was in his prime I literally couldn't leave the house without hearing his name.
     
    lufcrazy, Oct 25, 2012
    lufcrazy, Oct 25, 2012
    #11
  12. DrMo

    DrMo Team GB Full Member

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    It used to be part of the curriculum but a growing number of schools are linking up with their local club.

    In terms of gym membership & competing amateurs the UK is currently enjoying a bit of a boom.
     
    DrMo, Oct 25, 2012
    DrMo, Oct 25, 2012
    #12
  13. SJS19

    SJS19 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I mean in terms of public recognition Mo.

    Hatton was the exception, not the rule.

    You're right though, active numbers are up :good
     
    SJS19, Oct 25, 2012
    SJS19, Oct 25, 2012
    #13
  14. Hook!

    Hook! Proud member of team G. Full Member

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    :yep
     
    Hook!, Oct 25, 2012
    Hook!, Oct 25, 2012
    #14
  15. Hook!

    Hook! Proud member of team G. Full Member

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    the mayweather fight was crazy
     
    Hook!, Oct 25, 2012
    Hook!, Oct 25, 2012
    #15
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