If a fighter damages his body with drugs (say), is he past his Prime?

I heard a few boxers have tried marijuana

 

Since virtually every boxer does drugs after having a taste of success (which need not equal winning a title), i would say: no.

However, it is not that black-and-white.

For instance, Pinklon Thomas, an excellent fighter, has had a long history of drug problems. His peak was probably the Weaver fight in '84. He was still in his prime (though not peak) in '87 against Tyson. But a mere one year later, he was completely washed up against Holyfield. Either he went back to cocaine to live with the mental shock of being destroyed by Tyson, or the years of using it took their toll.

Other example, Gerry Cooney. After the Holmes fight he was mentally damaged and started using drugs. After that he was never the same. Particularly in the Foreman fight, he was totally shot. He was past his prime against Spinks, too.

A guy like Sugar Ray Leonard, i believe, did drugs after his first retirement which was before he fought Hagler. And despite he was inactive and not as good as he used to be, i would say he was still in his prime against Hagler, despite having been on drugs.


So, it is not clear cut and depends on the case.

It also seems that drugs and boxing are the fastest way to brain damage. Ask Meldrik Taylor, Whitaker or Benitez (you won't be able to understand his answer though, very sad). The irony is that the latter two of those three were great defensive fighters.

 

If a fighter does enough drugs to the point of not being able to preform effectively in the ring I would say that he was past it.

 

some drugs, if are comsumed a lot can do a lot of damage to the brain, that affects coordination, reflexes and reaction time, so I say yes.

 

take JAMES PAGE FROM PITTSBURG CA. he was a good fighter when on top of everything but the dude just could give up the drug he would get served all day .

he was a pretty good fighterm check out his fight with lewis he was clearly on one in that fight his eyes wer all glossy adn red when he entered the ring so yes drugs can have an affect on a fighters prime just like physical damage.

 

Jazzo, serious question. Do you have any mental disorder like a slight form of autism?