Fighters who were better at 30+ years old than their 20s

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Jel, Oct 29, 2020.


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  1. Jel

    Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

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    Was watching Daniel Zaragoza and thinking about fighters who seemed to improve after they passed their (technically) physical primes.

    What other examples can you think of?
     
    Jel, Oct 29, 2020
    Jel, Oct 29, 2020
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  2. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft He Who Saw The Deep Full Member

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    Jersey Joe Walcott springs to mind.

    Bob Fitzsimmons may have been, but I'm not completely sure what's considered his prime, or best performance.

    Guys like Moore and Hopkins are definitely good mentions when talking about longevity, but there best was clearly when they were still younger. Maybe early 30s at the latest.
     
    George Crowcroft, Oct 29, 2020
    George Crowcroft, Oct 29, 2020
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  3. jimmyonebomb

    jimmyonebomb Active Member Full Member

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    I feel lennox Lewis got better later on
     
    jimmyonebomb, Oct 29, 2020
    jimmyonebomb, Oct 29, 2020
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  4. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    Well, Mayweather is the only champion fighter ever who fought throughout his twenties and thirties undefeated. I feel he is better in his thirties because of how bad off he did Pac's shoulder. Tactical genius he never showed in his twenties but probably because he didn't think he had to.
     
    Boxed Ears, Oct 29, 2020
    Boxed Ears, Oct 29, 2020
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  5. Jel

    Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

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    Yeah, I think physical prime is one thing but some fighters adapt better to getting older and what they lose in pure physical attributes they replace with improvements in other areas - Hopkins learned he had to pace himself to make up for that natural decline in speed and energy and so he dictated the pace of most fights he was in in his thirties (and beyond).
     
    Jel, Oct 29, 2020
    Jel, Oct 29, 2020
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  6. The Morlocks

    The Morlocks Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Jess Willard
     
    The Morlocks, Oct 29, 2020
    The Morlocks, Oct 29, 2020
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  7. dinovelvet

    dinovelvet Antifanboi Full Member

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    Lennoxs Lewis
    Wlad/Vitali Klitschko
    Deontay Wilder
    Povetkin
    Tony Bellew
    Sergio Martinez
    Joe Calzaghe
    Adonis Stevenson
    Arthur Beterbiev
    Carl Froch
    Manny Pacquaio
    Johnny Nelson
    Glencoff Johnson
     
    dinovelvet, Oct 29, 2020
    dinovelvet, Oct 29, 2020
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  8. roughdiamond

    roughdiamond Ridin' the rails... Full Member

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    roughdiamond, Oct 29, 2020
    roughdiamond, Oct 29, 2020
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  9. roughdiamond

    roughdiamond Ridin' the rails... Full Member

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    A lot of fighters also get physically stronger in their 30s.
     
    roughdiamond, Oct 29, 2020
    roughdiamond, Oct 29, 2020
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  10. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I'd say Larry Holmes. He was about at his very best in '81, '82, when he was 31 and 32.
     
    salsanchezfan, Oct 29, 2020
    salsanchezfan, Oct 29, 2020
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  11. Eddie Ezzard

    Eddie Ezzard Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Foreman would have been the poster boy for this thread. His style was perfectly suited to the physical and mental maturity that comes with age. He may not have been as explosive but he certainly would have been less vulnerable to gassing and leaving himself exposed which were his only discernible flaws in his 20s.
     
    Eddie Ezzard, Oct 29, 2020
    Eddie Ezzard, Oct 29, 2020
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  12. Webbiano

    Webbiano Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Webbiano, Oct 29, 2020
    Webbiano, Oct 29, 2020
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  13. TBooze

    TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    A later starter, but Andries improved as he got into his thirties, and improved further and faster when he was 35+, maybe even peaking as a 40 year old depending on his real age.
     
    TBooze, Oct 29, 2020
    TBooze, Oct 29, 2020
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  14. ChrisJS

    ChrisJS Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I think Marquez’s shot selection, instincts etc; got better in his 30’s.
     
    ChrisJS, Oct 29, 2020
    ChrisJS, Oct 29, 2020
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  15. Philly161

    Philly161 "Fundamentals are the crutch of the talentless" banned Full Member

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    I mean Im told that for heavyweights the prime is early 30s and that's most examples that spring to mind Vlad Lennox etc other then hopkins who was always pretty damn good
     
    Philly161, Oct 29, 2020
    Philly161, Oct 29, 2020
    #15
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