Can Boxing Evolve and Improve Much More Technically Then It Has In The Last 70 Years?

Can Boxing Evolve and Improve Much More Technically Then It Has In The Last 60 Years? or do you feel the limit technically has been set by the great fighters of the last 70 years. Do you think we will see more great innovators of the sweet science bringing there own techniques and style to the game or do you feel that boxers can go only so far in the pursuit of excellence???


Your thoughts on this lads :bbb

 

In the modern era, which I'd classify as post-SRR, I don't think technique has changed a lot overall. If it has its fairly minimal on film, compared to the early part of the 20th century where its like watching a completely different sport.

 

I agree with you.
The sport has changed some much on all levels....Cosmetically and Style Wise it has.

I'm just wondering if we will see more defensive innovators or will we see guys sticking what they seen before.

 

Hard to predict isn't it

Look at cricket, changed quite radically and become more attacking kind of out of the blue, the Aussies and Sri Lankans seem to have initiated that


Rule changes will have a big impact too, number of rounds fought etc


Likewise how fights are promoted. More 'tournament' type matchmaking would impact on styles a lot, winning at all costs would become the order of the day to progress in the tournament - how you look doing it would become much less important... not that I think 'tournaments' will take off, personally

 

I don't see anything changing in the forseeable future. Defensive masters are rare throughout history, its a gift to be able to fight a man that is trying to punch you, whilst you punch him, and still end up avoiding any punishment yourself.

I think you'll see the same styles as we have for the last 30-40 years, now and again somebody exceptional comes along.

 

I think that boxing technique is entering a low spot to be honest.

Today Bernard Hopkins ins a boxing genius while in the 40s or 50s he would have been a genius, but you could have found a handfull of similar technicians, and he would not have stood out. When the dinosaurs like Hopkins die off and the last of the top flight trainners disapear then mediocrity will spread like wildfire.

It has happened in the heavyweight division already and it can go further.

 

The amateurs are already having an affect on the sport. Look at Khan, a world champion. He's not very fuid is he?

 

Yeah very stiff fighter. I actually don't but a lot of the hype with the top amateurs coming through some are good but some are not as good as people say they are and it's not really the lads faults.

Looking at the U.S 1984 squad compared to there amateurs nowadays it juts goes to show how far it's taking boxers backwards the way boxing is treated in certain countries.

 

i think that boxing is one of the most backward sports in terms of science.

when you here stories of guys going into championship fights boozing and eating fast food. i also laugh everytime i see a fighter going for a massive slow jog every morning. sprints are much more effective for building stanima.

its not a conincidence that Khan, Froch, and Haye are the most succesful british fighters currently, all 3 take a scientific approach to training and diets, and live a clean life out of training.

 

basides, when we do get a fighter in mayweather who is a true student of the game, extremly skilled and a master of the art, defensivley incredible. people just slag him off cos he doesnt fight guys who out weight him by 20lbs.

people tend to forget Mayweather had not out weighed and opponent since he was super feather.

 

Totally agree with both your posts Rob.

I get fed up when people moan about Mayweathers fighting style like it's some sort of disease on the sport when in fact it's pure artistry unfolding in front of our eyes. Most of his opponents are the ones struggling and ruining fight because they don't understand how to hit him without being hit back.

I been wondering about this subject for a long while...it's something we can't predict for sure....but i do feel we could see someone come into sport with such a high skills level but it would take a great disciplined fighter.

 

I agree with this.
Most of my favourite fighters tend to be more technically minded - Hopkins, Whitaker, Mayweather, etc, but the general opinion of casual fans is that they are boring to watch.
With the more blood-and-guts and in-your-face styles being far more popular and exciting to the public, promoters will want to sign those fighters, TV will want to sign those fighters and those fighters will get more opportunities, tv exposure, paydays, etc.
As a result I think we'll see less and less specially skilled fighters over the coming years (like we already have had a decline) as fighters will sacrifice specific styles and fighting strategies in favour of trying to look more explosive and exciting going for KO's.

I can understand why this is, and I know the blood-and-guts type fighters are very exciting to watch, but I think it's a great shame that the sweet science is becoming less and less appreciated. There's room for it all. Unfortunately, if it's not all Crash, Bang, Wallop - KO! Then there is very little interest - or money/opportunites for most fighters who aren't of that nature.

 

I agree with that.

I read Billy Joe Saunders on teletext today and he's going on about hoping to stop his opponent in one round. Whats the point in doing that. Not learning or perfecting anything other then winning fans who like that sort of thing and making his record look fierce.

It's really sad state to see fighters change style to appease people that don't truly appreciate the sweet science.

 

Absolutely, but as in most things in life - money talks.
The irony is, more people would be willing to pay obscene prices for a ticket to go and watch a fighter batter somebody in about 90 seconds than they would spend money on watching a boxer artistically displaying high levels of skill over 10 or 12 rounds. I know it's horses for courses, but still it's kind of ironic.

 

Yep your spot on.

I have respect for my power punchers and without them the sport wouldn't have the money it has but i feel for guys like Floyd and Bernard at times.