Is it because the fighters are just better today? Do they have access to better training methods that allow them to fight at different weights successfully? Do they have access to better nutrition? Is it out of neccessity due to lack of talent in today's boxing? Or is it just as prevalent as it's always been? Interested to hear thoughts.....
Interesting question. I think it's become easier to jump up in weight for fighters today because there are so many champions in each division nowadays. If the WBO champion is to much for lets say the light heavyweight champion who wants a crack at the HW crown then maybe he can try for the less formidable IBF or WBO or XYZ champion. Do you really think Roy Jones Jr. would've had a chance against a prime Tyson. Hell no. But against a plodder like Ruiz Roy had a very good chance and he knew it which is why the fight was made. Bob Foster took a big risk fighting legends such as Ali and Frazier in his 2 bids for the HW crown. RJJ wasn't risking much taking on a HW he knew he could beat. And while I'm not taking anything away from Pac Man's win over Oscar, let's face it, Oscar was all done. Would Manny have stood a chance against a prime Oscar? I think we all know the answer to that. Too many champions in one division and too many fighters hanging on for way to long make it much easier for fighters today to jump weight classes and try for titles at heavier weights against a watered down or over the hill opponent.
Agreed, which is why I don't consider weight jumping exploits nearly as highly as everyone else. It's all about the level of competition, regardless of weight. People act as if this win over De La Hoya proves something extraordinary about Pacquiao's skills when he couldn't even conclusively beat a guy like Marquez at his prime weight, and I doubt he'd have beaten the likes of Guzman either. More than anything it shows that De La Hoya is just completely finished as a relevant figure in boxing. Don't get me wrong, Pacquiao is a great fighter, but rather than seeing him jump from weight to weight improving his accomplishments on paper, let's see him beat the elite fighters at a single weight or two to really prove himself.
We don't agree on much but here's something we are agreed on. The win over Delahoya and manner of it is mighty impressive, the version of Delahoya is somewhat questionable, although maybe Pac made him that bad Pacs legacy will get the biggest bu As for Pacquiao he has added weight better than anyone in history, alongside perhaps Langford. Pacquaio was a flyweight, then at 122 he was 1 of the biggest, at 126 he was bigger than Barrera, at 130 he was as the BIG Morales and bigger than Marquez, at 135 he weighed 147 on fight night and . At 147 he was small but not much smaller than Mayweather or Judah. At 140 he'll probably be as big as Hatton on fight night and Hatton is BIG at 140 He's mastered adding muscle, whether its diet, supplements, PED's, who knows he just does it brilliantly and has had the frame to add it.