Why people romanticize past fighters over present fighters

The one more thing I'd like to add to this compelling discussion is that when gloved boxing took hold in John L. and Corbett's day, the concept of boxing was that it was the most scientifically evolved method of unarmed combat at that time. Sure there was still wrestling but we had this concept of the HW champ as the optimum most capable fighter on Earth. Once martial arts became more widespread in the West, the idea of Bruce Lee fighting Muhammad Ali, plus other forms of MMA gaining popularity, the universality of boxing as the fighting style of choice was irreversibly shattered. Prospective fighters have numerous other disciplines today to devote themselves to, not to mention fans having more options to watch.

So here's another reason to believe boxers of the past represented a better majority of all professionally fighting humans at that time versus today. And from that less-diluted talent pool, a better grade of cream rose to the top.