Did pre 50's fighters have a lower punch output than modern fighters?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by reznick, Sep 13, 2017.


  1. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    Generally speaking, did pre-1950 boxers have a lower punch output compared to their modern counterparts?

    Is it definitive one way or another?
    Also, I wonder what kind of comparisons we can do that would be deemed fair by everyone. After all, we have the footage, and we can count.
     
    reznick, Sep 13, 2017
    reznick, Sep 13, 2017
    #1
  2. louis54

    louis54 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Pre 20 definitely....20 round fights, but even then guys like Dempsey quickened the pace, changed boxing forever, no more lollygagging again
     
    louis54, Sep 13, 2017
    louis54, Sep 13, 2017
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  3. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    I haven't seen the full film but there's little inaction in the bits of Battling Nelson v Ad Wolgast that I've seen, and that one went 40 rounds.
     
    Unforgiven, Sep 14, 2017
    Unforgiven, Sep 14, 2017
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  4. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    A lot of those old fights I've seen are staged outdoors in midday sun in hot climates. And the fights were scheduled long. I'd expect any fighter of any era to conserve a bit of energy fighting in such conditions.
     
    Unforgiven, Sep 14, 2017
    Unforgiven, Sep 14, 2017
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  5. Gudetama

    Gudetama Active Member Full Member

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    That's a difficult question to answer. Compare Joe Gans midday sun output to that of Henry Armstrong indoors. It's like comparing the output of Floyd Mayweather to Leo Santa Cruz. Before people crucify me here... I'm just going on reputed stats and reputations. Not facts. And I am certainly not comparing the quality of said fighters. Just my two cents. In conclusion... I would guess the difference is smaller than we think.
     
    Gudetama, Sep 14, 2017
    Gudetama, Sep 14, 2017
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  6. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    We can probably compare using old fights that were 15 rounders or 10 rounders.

    The question is which fighters do we compare?
    Dempsey to Tyson?
    Johnson to Holmes?

    I want to count the punches but I don't want to spin my wheels doing a comparison that people won't deem fair.
     
    reznick, Sep 14, 2017
    reznick, Sep 14, 2017
    #6