My interest for the sport was from quiet an early age, being a child in the 60's I'd listen to my grandad and his mates talk boxing whilst he cut everyone's hair on my Grans kitchen step ( everyone had the same cut 6-80 year old the cut was the same) then i started taking a proper interest in the early 70's , from the likes of Jimmy Wilde to Tyson Fury ive had my favourites throughout the years but nothing imo beats a good read of the fighters from pre my memory for me . And yes Jimmy Wilde is my favourite fighter of all time .
For me personally I look at the old eras with more reverence for a few reasons. Firstly the best fighting the best, when they were at their best. None of this bull**** about letting fights "marinate". People weren't terrified of losing their 0, and this meant that better fights happened way more regularly. Also fighters wouldnt get away with carrying the type of weight advantage that they do today through ridiculous amounts of rehydration, whereas today alot of the people considered really good are essentially just great at ensuring they are fighter smaller people than themselves. Boxing today seems like a joke when compared to the past. These days someone gets sucked off by their fans for being a multi weight champion, without ever actually beating the best fighter in any of the divisions they acquired a belt at. Even someone like roy jones gets overrated because of this. Yes he won a heavyweight title, against the weakest belt holder available. It's not like he went up and beat Lennox. Manny Pacquiao is one of my favourite fighters to watch ever, but would he be a 8 division champ if he had fought THE man at each of those weights? I highly doubt it
There were more fighters in the past than there are in the present, hence there were also more good fighters to idolize. Simple as.
Opportunities weren't as rampant as they are with todays fighters. They had to be 100% and ready. Now today, can just look at an easy pickings title and claim to be a champ.
It has to do with the 'old time' fighters having many more fights in a year and facing best vs. best all the while there being fewer 'championship' belts. Boxing was more competitive and more fun to follow. Duran
i dont see controversy or misunderstanding. its not like EVERY guy from the 70s or 80's was remarkable and remembered that way. just like now. you think in 30 years anyone is gonna know who khan or andrade is? but theyre gonna know who pac is, and who canelo is. and you wont be some relic just waxing nostalgic about his day, when you tell your grandkids how their favorite star would never have laid a glove on floyd.
