Best Fighters in History at 38 years old and older

Given their times, I would plump for Fitz then Moore. Over 38 in Fitz's time was positively ancient.

Jim Driscoll put up a hell of a fight against Charles Ledoux when he was all but 40.

 

That's a very good point.

 

Yeah, Moore was the one I was thinking about could be seen as nr 1 p4p around that age. Hopkins probably had a case as nr 1 at 39, after RJJ lost to Tarver and before Hopkins lost to Taylor.

And it goes without saying that both accomplished more after 38 than Floyd yet has had a chance to do.

 

It isn't fair to compare recent fighters with their old-time counterparts in the category of the best fighters who were 38 years old or older. In comparison with the old-timers, the recent fighters usually had relatively few bouts, which means they would have less "wear-and-tear" for the most part. Also keep in mind that maximum age restrictions for professional boxers have been done away with over the last forty or so years due to the enactment of laws prohibiting age discrimination. As a result, there has been a staggering percentage of professional boxers who are 38 years old or more during the last few decades.

- Chuck Johnston

 

i think you are probably right.

Bob Fitzsimmons was also the number one pound for pound. Not only did he come off a 2 year lay off to give the heavyweight champ Jeffries all he could handle, but he followed it up by taking the newly formed light heavy title from George Gardner. Admittedly, he was about to waiver in form, but i think he was still no 1 at this time.

 

Walcott successfully defended his title against Ezzard Charles when 38 in 1952, three months before fighting Marciano.

 

I think Pascual Perez would at least have to be considered in 1956 as he was unbeaten.

His record was 40-0-1 with the draw to former champion Yoshio Shirai,

and Perez subsequently defeated Shirai twice, first to win the title, and then in defense of the title. The second was a KO.

 

Nearly everyone at ringside thought he won the fight. It wasn't even terribly close. He won. Live with it.

While 38, Hop beat a weathered Joppy and Hakkar.

Waldo beat Pulev, who at least at the time was highly thought of.

I'll go with Walcott.

 

I understand what you're saying. Today, I could see people considering a flyweight who didn't fight in the U.S. as the pound-for-pound champ without hesitation.

But, in 1956, the flyweight division was about as far off the map as you could get in the sport, as were fighters who did not fight in the U.S.

The heavyweights DID dominate everything. There were name champs and top contenders in other divisions who were very popular, but it was an era when it was clearly the Heavyweight Division ... and all the others in another pile. And heavyweight was considered the premiere division. (That may seem odd to younger fans today, because now it's almost the other way around.)

With the heavyweight title vacant, Moore was rated number-one at heavyweight, he was the reigning light heavyweight champ, and he'd knocked out the reigning middleweight champ (Olson) shortly before Robinson dethroned Bobo.

There were only eight divisions, and Moore had punched out the top middleweight, light heavys and most of the heavyweight contenders.

I don't know if dominating the smallest division and essentially never (just once) fighting in the States would've earned Pascal a place above Moore in that era.

Who knows, though. But I doubt it.

 

This is a tough thread, the obvious guy's that stand out are Hopkins, Foreman, and to the lesser extent Duran..

But you have 2 guy's now in Floyd, AND Wlad Klitchko, who are the best in the World, and above 38, Wlad will be 40 early next year, they may fight on till they are 50 why not??, they both love the money..

There are just too many to mention, guy's are hanging on longer now because they blew all their loot and desperately need money, or they just keep winning so why retire??, and or it's just freak genetics because some folks just age really well..

 

I think its maybe its ring age then genetics which allows boxers that age to be competitive
Floyd looks younger then many non boxers his age He looks younger
then his old man did..Also his dad took way more punches then Floyd
many courtesy of Chavez

 

Think you have his dad mixed up with his uncle Roger...

 

Yes i did thank you for correcting that mistake

 

It would be Moore, followed by bhop.

they were both dallying at top elite level at this age, unthinkable.