Are boxers better/more skilled today?

You hear a lot of current boxers say the fight is won in the training camp, not the ring. I wonder in an era of sports science, nutritionists, 21st century training methods and the like (*cough* PEDs), we have an era of athletes who box, rather than boxers who work on athleticism in order to maximise their skills? A large part of a training camp is focused on making weight in a way which allows epic levels of rehydration in an attempt to have a size advantage by the time of the opening bell. The focus seems to have shifted from skill-set to physicality being the point of difference....

 

In general, from top to bottom, I'd say yeah. Lower level fighters have access to better training camps than previous generations.

But then you have stand out talents like Joe Gans who looks better than any LW today. Or Pep who looks better than any FW (Loma is not FW anymore).

Robinson is still the best fighter I've ever seen on film.

But holistically speaking I reckon the 5-10 ranked guys today are better than they used to be. No stats to back that up mind you, just the way I see it.

 

Already stated the difference in that quote. I’m not repeating myself.

 

I think the better fighters were either those who fought a lot on their own and were just great fighters naturally like Duran, or workmanlike guys like Hagler, or the guys like Hearns or Leonard or Delahoya who had long amateur careers who were skilled before the pros. So it was easy for them to rack up 25-0 records against decent guys. Either way,, I think the fighters were better before since the less titles meant the guys had to fight each other to get the titles or they would not be the top guys. Broner is a guy who I think got titles without fighting top guys, an it hurt the sport. He didn't have to fight a really good fighter to win his titles, which then hurt him when he fought a guy like Maindana who was good, but not good enough to beat a guy who should have been elite with all those titles, but was not elite.

 

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Where is the footwork, where are the feints, where is the head and waist movement.

Pressure fighters of era's past used head movement. Today they just come forward in straight lines e.g. GGG who is P4P#1 by many.
Boxer punchers of era's past used excellent footwork. Today's boxer punchers rely on athleticism over skill actual skill.
Pure boxers of era's past used to know how to fight in the pocket and stay in position to counter. Today's "pure boxers" pot shot and run.

Obviously there are exceptions, but overall these statements are true. Just look at the top fighters from past and compare them to top fighters today. Useful link above and below.

youtube.com

 

We know you're obsessed with AJ.

Compare the top 10 HW's today, to the top 10 HW's of the 90's.

Do the same for the WW, MW and SMW divisions.

Compare the top 10 P4P fighters of today, to the ones from the 80's and 90's.

As a whole, there has been no clear progression.

If you want to say that fighters are generally more skilled today, then tell us from which point in time you're looking from.

 

Most fighters are passing out after round 9 today, fighters of yesteryears were fighting 15+ rounds. I would really question how much truth there are into better training camps. Fighters still run, still jump rope, still spar, still weight train, question is how dedicated are they now than before when fighters tire faster now.

 

He most certainly does is the right answer.

 

The 90s when fat out of shape George Foreman was champion. Lol!

 

boxers are not skilled enough today.. It is an insult to sometimes have PPV fights with the skill levels where they are.

 

Joshua would not be outboxed by Bruno, or have a competitive fight with Norton, so yes Joshua is more skilled.

 

You sure look like a guy that smokes weed daily. Lol