Boxing has never been tougher and more brutal then now

I'd like to see weigh ins at several points pre the fight so there's no question of boiling down.

 

The reason there were supposedly less deaths or publicised brain injurys is simply because back then they were more immune around the skull from being hit A LOT MORE.

 

Beat me to it! Although I am one to believe that skill wise, we’re a lot better now than we were 30, 40+ years ago especially with what we know now about diet and exercise. Toughness though...

 

The olden days were more brutal for sure but there is no doubt with science and nutrition and the enhancement of PED's and mutant sized boxers at the lower weights things may be equally dangerous.

 

Not even close skill-wise to the past greats. Night and day.

 

I don't see educated footwork, feints, set-ups, shoulder rolling, side stepping etc today like in 1900s to 1950s where it was all mastered with great timing at breakneck speed, fast pace in long fights

 

(sigh) yeah, you definitely been watching boxing for only 10 yrs.

 

Athletically they are better, yes.

Not in terms of technical skill, because they rarely train or fight. 8 week camps once a year. How can they without practice have the skill of the greats like Burley, Gans, Charles and Jefre

 

It's the weight cutting procedures IMO. Even the boxers who drained at same day weigh ins didn't come close to the extremes of 48+ weight cuts, where some fighters cannot even walk properly. And fighters repeatedly do this until its literally impossible. No wonder there is damage.

 

Guess what? Every era has skilled boxers!