Has it been worse than today's light heavyweight any time in the past, in any weight division? Going by Ring's champion + top 10. BERNARD HOPKINS - 43 ZSOLT ERDEI - 33 CLINTON WOODS - 35 ANTONIO TARVER - 39 GLEN JOHNSON - 39 CHAD DAWSON - 25 DANNY GREEN - 34 ROY JONES - 39 PAUL BRIGGS - 32 ADRIAN DIACONU - 29 REGGIE JOHNSON - 41 average age - 35.5 For comparison, average age of heavyweights 28.5, cruiserweights 29.5, super middleweights 30, middleweights 31.5, jr. middleweights 31, welterweights 29.
That is a bit of an abberation. I do think modern fighters peak later, say, around their 30's, than they did pre-70's. For several reasons: Experience. These days, the schedules are a lot easier and usually a promising boxer is fed 20 or so tomato cans before fighting a live opponent. While guys like Ezzard Charles and Harry Greb were fighting veterans in their first or second year as professionals and fought on an almost monthly basis. 12 round fights lay more emphasis on strength and power while longer fights tend to favor stamina and conditioning more. Obviously, fighters in their 20's do better in the stamina department than 30 year old ones, but usually, past the age of 30, people naturally put on some muscle and become stronger.
Very interesting numbers. I agree the light heavyweight division is bad shape these days. It looks like Dawson will be the only top-level talent in the next 2-3 years under the age of 33. What a shame. I like this division a lot. The good news is the Olympics is right around the corner. IMO, Russian amateur light heavyweight Arthur Beterbiev is an amazing talent. Very skilled. Very fast. Hits hard. Fights to win. It only takes a short time on TV to see how talented he is. He will be special if he turns pro. The division needs him.
I'm most interested in Demetrius Andrade in the pro's. He'll be champ for sure. Some biased judges stole the victory from him today in a tourney in Novosibirsk, similar to how they stole the Pan Americans from him.
