Why are Heavyweight contenders getting older?

NO, it's gotten TALLER and they are naturally heavier, forcing other 'normal' size HWs to bulk up.

S-HWs vs HWs, 2 distinct divisions.

 

You, sir, are not paying attention.

183 pound dynamos of yesteryear would lay waste to the behemoth dirigibles that climb into the ring today.

 

:rofl:rofl:rofl

It's true but youre funny.

 

I am paying attention read my earlier post with respect to this thread.

and I agree with you what you say there, but that is a talent, skill, era type answer not asked of this thread'

but that still doesn't change the S-HWs vs HWs **** we're forced to put up with today.

 

The fight game has changed.

Amateur careers are longer, people start later, they fight less, modern medicine is in place, mandatory suspension after grueling affairs, etc.

In the older days, the fighter's safety wasn't defended all that well. Nowadays, its paramount, and we are seeing longer careers. Less teenage professionals, too, debuting at age 25 after a long amateur career is a perfectly legitimate way of doing things today.

It must be said, the layoff is also a fixture in boxing today. Certain contenders are well enough situated that they can survive waiting for an injury to heal or waiting for the right fight. Taking 2 years off is going to extend you. Back in the day, a fighter might rush into the ring hurt or something to get that paycheck, or to keep the career rolling.

It's just different today.

 

I am sure a sizeable proportion of the "champions" you included in that study were mere beltholders that have multiplied vastly in total since 1978. its called massaging statistics.:deal

 

:good We have bulked up fighters slowing down to the pace of older fighters. Training to "hold on" to excess artificial weight effects the pace a fighter can set in the ring. with less whip and snap on combinations younger fighters are diluting their own youth advantage. Despite his age a big old guy knows a big young guy is limited to how much energy he can expend before his advantage can be neutralised.

 

Fighters are simply not being put through the same ordeals as they once were. They aren't getting 'used up' as quickly. Less tough fights, the fights they have are stopped quicker.
post-fight recovery. injuries fixed with very good surgery. It's a healthier lifestyle than ever.

 

Well...
I'm going to check it again with Joe Lous his record and his opponents records.

Or Marcianos.

(Joe Louis his opponents+opponents opponents = 4100+ fights, Marciano an easier 2000+ fights)

But only a non hw like Gipsy Daniels had the biggest chunks of his career as 13+ rounders. (60 or more or so, he's an exception)

 

It's also related to the fact that there is a serious dearth of even useful heavyweights, so the veterans are not getting chased into retirement. The division basically stinks imo.

 

I'm going to go with this and add a lack of hunger. I know this because none of them are ever hungry.

 

That or the lack of fighting, guys get to 20, 25 fights and suddenly only fight two or threes times a year. If guys at any weight fight every other month, see how quick they are done with boxing!

 

This is a big factor. Bigger, taller guys tend to be effective in older age.

 

Hgh