Legit fights that would seem shady with old film?

I agree with your observations but I think most of us who watch a fair bit of old film do in fact make significant allowances for the differences. So I think it more than balances out.

An interesting aside on the subject is how some of the old films from the 1930s and '40s have a ringside seat camera angle interspersed with the more distant angle. The intensity and hardships of the fighting take on a whole new level when the film cuts from the distant raised level to the close ringside angle.
These are generally fairly well-filmed fights though but it's quite a sharp contrast.

 

There s something about the old film footage I like to see. I can still recall seeing the first round of dempsey v willard. Because of when it actually took place and the nature of the fight it excited me. It captured the beginning of a legend in all its true glory. OK, it wasn't technicolour but it was despite that, that I loved it. To actually see those people, dempsey, willard, the ref and all the crowd as they were, back then all those years ago actually transported me in to that moment. We're so lucky to get hands on any old film, to get a actual insight in to how fighters were back then, what the ring siders were wearing, it's just magical. With out any film of bygone days, we've nothing but the written word, and most of the time at, the camera never lies.

 

That's probably the best policy.
The only consistently workable alternative might be to assume everything is fixed as your default. I've found myself sliping towards that one at times - and I don't advise it.

 

Danny Green vs Paul Briggs.
Ali vs Liston pales in comparison.

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The great thing about the Dempsey-Willard film is it's well-filmed and takes place in the afternoon sun on a hot summer's day.
It's truly iconic.

 

So true. Ive literally watched it dozens of times. Before the fight starts and dempsey is stood next to willard. Jack leaning back on the ropes in his corner. Dempsey circling jess and then the beautiful savagery of the man. Willard desperate to remain upright while dempsey attacks him. And then Jack leaving the ring thinking it's over, to be called back in. So glad we have that caught on film.