Has boxing really regressed?

Yes I recall throughout 1992 -95 american boxing writers complaining about the poor heavyweight scene and how Tyson was going to be a messiah cleaning up the division

The same few writers also bemoaned the ' star starved' state of boxing in the mid 80s!

 

Yes I recall throughout 1992 -95 american boxing writers complaining about the poor heavyweight scene and how Tyson was going to be a messiah cleaning up the division

The same few writers also bemoaned the ' star starved' state of boxing in the mid 80s!

 

It has definitely regressed, no question. Fighters only fighting once or twice a year is totally ridiculous, you cannot hone your craft or build a great resume this way. Of course boxing lies to the public and basically tries to pretend everything is "new and improved" but it's not.

 

Brilliant answer.

 

But this explanation doesn't really hold water. Per its argument, the best athletes were in fact going into boxing pre-1980 or so.

Does anyone really consider weak and sick Joe Frazier, wide-hipped Larry Holmes, slow-footed Ali, even midget Tyson to be the "best athletes" available? Let's not even mention Marciano. Not one of those had a prayer of making a dent in the stick and ball sports.

Athletes play sports. Fighters fight. A fit and ready Andy Ruiz will beat a physical specimen like Joshua 9 times out of 10. You don't play boxing. This is why I think that MMA is the real drain on the talent pool, because those are fighters going elsewhere. Gyms around the country are full of yoked dudes who can jump high and run a good 40.

 

I've said forever the whole idea that fighters are athletes is largely BS. Fighters fight, athletes do whatever they do. Fighters should be in fighting shape and athletes by and large will be destroyed in a boxing ring or MMA cage. Mike Tyson said himself "Michael Jordan is an athlete, I'm a fighter." BIG difference.

 

The world regressed (but hypnosis is massive), and therefore boxing also regressed.