How were old timers so good?

Today's latin boxers are perhaps a good comparison to the old timers in some ways. Many of the best fighters from Latin America over the last decades haven't had that much of an amateur background, butt instead started as a pro at an early age and racked up loads of fights. Chavez is of course one example.

 

too me, latin and other 3rd world boxers are proof that old school boxers could hang or beat modern fighters. Why? because, many of those countries are like america or europe in the 1900-1940. People say "old time fighters had poor nutrition" (in fact it was usually pretty good....just that they might have missed some meals) well how did guys coming up in mexico usually eat? training methods? most are old school, until they become world champions. anyhow...

 

Well, not really, 2 of those fit me too.

 

Everyone has their ideal weight but maybe the weight exercises you were doing made you top heavy? BTW not all steroids give gains in size.

Wlad I know supposedly bulks up for fights as did Byrd

Obviously the likes of McCline and Briggs have gone too far in adding muscle that justs see them completely immobile and unable to defend themselves

Are you fan of stimulants? I like Ephedrine and DMAA for my cardio, they'll help in the ring too, especially DMAA as it keeps you focused and increases pain tolerance. Both are tested for if you're fighting pro, if you're a pro-sparring partner in your 40s though they could help you out

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by kingfisher3
modern boxers should generally be stronger, but adding muscle sacrifices speed so you cant be stronger and faster, less skilled is more subjective, there are less highly skilled fighters than at most points in boxing history, but floyd and ward are close to the best in their styles

quote, someone else
'You develop fast twitch fibres through heavy weight training and add in plyometrics and you will get faster, that's a fact. Muscle doesn't equate to strength. You can be stronger and faster, that's what every athlete in the world lifts weights for. Speed is a function of neuromuscular recruitment ability and tendon stiffness, things that are improved by weight training. Get your head out of your arse and the 1920's, the old myths about weight training should be well and truly dead at this point.'

from the general forum, any truth to this?