Could a clamp down on Steroid use be at least partly the reason for untoned heavies?

Could a clamp down on Steroid use be at least partly the reason for, what appears to be, many more untoned heavies?

If you look at many of the heavies from the 80s, and the early 90s, they were toned to hell and hulking with muscle.

 

I wouldn't say that. I'd say the major difference now is that most great, athletic big men are playing football now. If you are a decent high school football player, you can make it to college. If you are really good, you can make millions instantly in the pros.

Boxing doesnt have that same promise for big men.

I think these flabby heavy's now are the reject athletes who weren't good enough to hang with the big boys. They probably picked up boxing very late in life, most likely many years after high school. They never had the discipline at a young age to physicallyy prepare for other sports. So there is no way they are mentally tough enough to physically prepare themselves for boxing.

Lastly, the heavy weights of the 80's were the true blue-collar fighters. They believed in hard work. Heavy's just seem to be lazy these days. You really shouldnt be walking into the ring looking fat as hell. it's disgraceful.

 

Excellent post I agree 100%:good

 

I think one of the main factors is that you have a slew of fighters in the heavyweight division, who are natural cruisersweights who have bulked up in search of heavyweight glory. Ibragimov, Chambers, Povetkin, to name a few, could probably make cruiser and would look much more toned than they do now. I also think that they would be better fighters for it as well.

 

I think also too is that there are more scholarships avaliable for people these days. You go to school, play a sport, but take your degree and get a career in something else. A lot of these successful Heavies were of the past when there weren't as many oppurtunites to play different sports and to get in to college. I'am currently reading Tunney and learning how there was more popularity because it gave a chance for a poor man to gain wealth.

 

no. the heavyweights today are just lazier and since they dont have to make weight they dont bother getting in shape

 

Exactly!:good

Imagine Tyson being 18 years old today. He most likely would have been a monster running back or linebacker

Holyfield would have been a linebacker. You can go on and on.I'd say most of the greats of the past definitely would have been football players had those opportunities been around back then.

You really cant blame these kids. Free education and a possible promise of millions INSTANTLY.

or are you going to take a couple thousand here, a couple more thousand there, with only a very slim chance of getting to the millions, while at the same time picking up some broken ribs, concussions, etc...
to top it all off, it's the most physically demanding sport on the planet.

 

Yea, even the likes of Toney... a lot of them are ageing as well...

 

Yes I agree with what you say. But a lot these heavyweights come from countries that don't play American football. Frank Bruno today would never make a Soccer player which is the most lucrative sport here. Boxing would still be the most lucrative sport for him, as it is many large eastern Europeans.

 

Good example forgot about him!...Chagaev could probably get down to cruiser as well.

 

No, basically most heavyweights realise that they dont have to make weight so therefore, most dont try to get themselves into peak physical shape.



I think it comes down to self respect in a round about way, back in the 80's and prior boxers were more dedicated to training and conditioning. And most (but not all) came in good physical condition when fighting.



Its kinda sad in this day and age when really the only elite heavyweight who consistenly shows up in shape is Wladimir Klitschko, and he must be given some credit for doing so.




Sage

 

I believe this will turn around when Boxing regains popularity. Kids will want the glory to become Heavyweight champion. If you'd ask a kid in the 20's what he wants to be when he grows up, he'd say Heavyweight Champion of the world. Now it would be they want to be a Basketball, Football, Baseball or soccer player.

 

Yea a lot of past heavies came from very poor backgrounds; no doubt about that.

 

A boxer doesn't have to be ripped and overly muscular to be in
shape or possess great boxing ability. Larry Holmes was never
really ripped. He was just a huge guy who had a terrific left jab,
overhand right and great all-round boxing skills. In his later years
he actually fought with a pot-belly but just outboxed easily many
much younger and more muscularly toned fighters. I think the
training and teaching of boxing skills has declined a lot and few
young athletes are willing to sacrifice to perfect the skills required
to compete at the elite level. Wlad is ripped, for sure, but I suspect
that's largely just his genetic makeup. He trains like the old-time
fighters did. Manny talked about how he lives and breathes boxing.
They talk for hours about boxing and Wlad's always the first guy in
the gym in the morning and usually the last to leave. Wlad's old
school that way and that's why he's been so successful.

 

No f'n way. Lack of respect for one's craft is the cause.