Recency bias is insane, ESB has turned into "Any HW who just won a fight could beat Ali"

Serge · May 17, 2026

Dynamicpuncher said: ↑

I'd say both are just as bad.

I remember seeing threads after Joyce beat Parker who's a good/solid Heavyweight but not upper echelon by any means.

They were calling Joyce the next George Foreman and favouring him over a prime Tyson.

Likewise after Zhang beat Joyce he was being favoured over a prime Ali.

The only win Zhang has ever had in his entire life over a top 10 ranked Heavyweight. And he automatically gets picked over ATG Heavyweights ?

And there's numerous other examples of terrible posts and knee jerk reactions based on recent bias.

I think most of the notable posters whether they prefer the older era or modern era heavily respect Usyk.

He's a throwback to the older generation of Heavyweights being a bit smaller on average than the modern Heavyweights. And he showcases his skills rather than being big and lumbering.

So I think Usyk has the right credentials to be respected by both type of fans.

The only thing I don't like is whenever Usyk is matched up with other past Heavyweights people just straight up lie.

Like in a recent Usyk/Tyson thread people are saying Tyson gasses after 4 rounds ? And then starts swinging wildly ?

And I'm thinking to myself have these people ever actually watched Tyson's fights ? Or am I being trolled here ?

Likewise people who are too nostalgic say Usyk gets destroyed by Ali and that is also absolute rubbish aswell.

I also don't like the fact people call you a hater if you have any type valid criticism

If I don't agree that Usyk is the GOAT that doesn't make me a hater.

If I'm a bit frustrated that I want to see Usyk fight a bit more than once a year if he holds all the belts that doesn't make a hater.

We've had this conversation many times before Serge and I think the best posters on this site will have a balanced opinion on both eras which is how it should be.
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I'm not saying I agree with the recency bias brigade or that they don't have many dumb takes because of course they do

But many of those kind of Big Joe Joyce takes are trolling and even though some of the boxing nostalgists (not aimed at you) are aware of that they pounce on them and use it as a pretext to push their agenda to crap on modern fighters or certain ones

I'm a nostalgist when it comes to a lot of things, like music and film for example. However, I don't have this insufferable condescending snooty attitude re. my nostalgia bias like some of the boxing nostalgists do and I don't put on an act trying to pretend I don't have this bias like some of them do where I modify my thoughts and opinions for show. I'm very open and honest about it and shoot straight down the line

It's this condescending haughty attitude I find so insufferable with some of the boxing nostalgists.

And, again, I'm not directing this at you. I disagree with some of your opinions but I don't consider you a Usyk hater or consider you unfair

Oddone · May 17, 2026

Serge said: ↑

But many of those kind of Big Joe Joyce takes are trolling
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Are they though?

You have a much kinder view of those threads and the ones that started them than I do.

Serge · May 17, 2026

Oddone said: ↑

Are they though?

You have a much kinder view of those threads and the ones that started them than I do.
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They definitely are. Not saying they all are but many of them are and, as said, some of these boxing nostalgists know damn well they are too but they use them as a pretext to dump on modern fighters or certain ones.

And another thing. When I say I respect the greats of previous generations I mean it. I'm not saying it for show it's 100% genuine, whereas, conversely, it's painfully obvious some of these boxing nostalgists don't rate Usyk highly at all

Redbeard7 · May 17, 2026

LoveThis said: ↑

The other side to your argument is, that boxing was actually way more popular and had the highest earning athletes.

Nowadays every good athlete goes to basketball, baseball, football etc. Leaving little for boxing.

Ali was great. Usyk is great. There are modern and past greats. Obviously, sports science evolves, too. And doping also does.
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To me that's pro-American cope. All of those other sports existed back then too, with a much smaller population.

I don't think an A-side fighter from 50-60 years ago would automatically beat every boxer since. I think it's a bit delusional.

LoveThis · May 17, 2026

Redbeard7 said: ↑

To me that's pro-American cope. All of those other sports existed back then too, with a much smaller population.

I don't think an A-side fighter from 50-60 years ago would automatically beat every boxer since. I think it's a bit delusional.
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I don't either, and i am not american. And it might be used like you say, but seeing usyk and how he handled the top heavyweights, I can imagine muhammad ali having similar success if he had all the resources, usyk now has.

Ali certainly was incredibly gifted.

And i was never a fan of coldly and rationally pitting fighters from different eras against each other if it is not done with a certain benevolent fantasy. Everyone is a product of their time. And if i had to lose all fights of a boxer from history, Ali would be one of the very last I would choose

Redbeard7 · May 17, 2026

LoveThis said: ↑

I don't either, and i am not american. And it might be used like you say, but seeing usyk and how he handled the top heavyweights, I can imagine muhammad ali having similar success if he had all the resources, usyk now has.

Ali certainly was incredibly gifted.

And i was never a fan of coldly and rationally pitting fighters from different eras against each other if it is not done with a certain benevolent fantasy. Everyone is a product of their time. And if i had to lose all fights of a boxer from history, Ali would be one of the very last I would choose
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There is a media mythology behind Ali which compromises objectivity. Even in his day, he was an A-side fighter who could have very easily had 10+ losses. I don't give Ali any credit for how Usyk handled the top heavyweights because they are different men with different attributes in radically different eras.

LoveThis · May 17, 2026

Redbeard7 said: ↑

There is a media mythology behind Ali which compromises objectivity. Even in his day, he was an A-side fighter who could have very easily had 10+ losses. I don't give Ali any credit for how Usyk handled the top heavyweights because they are different men with different attributes in radically different eras.
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I do see the a-side argument for the rumble in the jungle. I don't know of many advantages that were given to him in other fights. He wasn't a side against liston.

I am not the greatest expert on ali and it's been a while since i watched his fights, but i watched many and was very impressed everytime. He showed so many traits and was able to adapt when some failed him. He was certainly the best heavyweight fighter until then in my eyes and I can not see how any earlier fighter would beat him. He brought something new to heavyweight with his movement and his defense was just art.

I never saw any other boxer move so beautifully. That is not only marketing. And it is important to me as a viewer. Some prefer violence, I prefer boxing as an expression of what humanity is capable of. And not many added as much to that as ali did.

Pepsi Dioxide · May 17, 2026

So Hrgovic beat Dave Allen yesterday....m

Can Ali overcome all of Hrgovic s modern advantages or is it just a wipeout easy KO win for Hrgy Bear?

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Recency bias is insane, ESB has turned into "Any HW who just won a fight could beat Ali"

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Recency bias is insane, ESB has turned into "Any HW who just won a fight could beat Ali"

Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

Oddone Bermane Stiverne's life coach. Full Member

Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

Redbeard7 Boxing Addict banned Full Member

LoveThis Sweet Science Full Member

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