Old heavyweights vs modern heavyweights

I always say, if trying to be most accurate in a fantasy hypothetical world you can't bring Joe Louis up to 2010 and fight Wladimir, envisioning a black and white Louis in the ring... Take Klitschko back to the 1930's.

 

The access to fight film alone is a difference maker when comparing a vastly aged era of fighters to contemporary ones. The frequency of their bouts, number of rounds, glove size, generally accepted tweaks/interpretations of the rules... Let alone the physical equipment, knowledge of the body and nutrition, and access to the nutrition. Plus the scientific aspect of being near literal robots with measuring every aspect of their intake and output. So many variables.

 

Cant really criticise a man for knocking out old LHW fighters and use that as a reason for favouring an old LHW fighter over him.

 

I'm not trying anything.

You said that's your assumption on the lifestyle if posters.

I'm assuming the only poster on this site you actually know in real life is yourself.

Stands to reason your assumption is based on your own habits.

 

You didn't pay attention to the part about fighters aging in the ring quicker back then.

 

Yeah cos it was utter bull****.

Rocky is proven at beating old LHW men, Stevenson would be just another old LHW he'd be criticised for knocking out.

 

It does seem like fighters aged sooner in the old days. Maybe because they fought more rounds and more often, accumulating more punishment than most today. Nutrition, training, understanding of the body have all progressed since the old days which probably is mostly responsible.

 

"Massive punch" is not something measured on an absolute scale but something on a relative scale, against the opposition of his era. A "massive puncher" in 1916 might have been devastating in his era and at the same time be considered absolutely feather-fisted in 2016. Obviously the same applies to being "granite-jawed".

So no, a trained boxer boxer from the 1910s would be overmatched on every level today. Just like any other athlete from any other discipline.

 

For years Archie Moore was the oldest champion in history.

 

Did you see how many fights each of those guys I listed had, by the time they fought Marciano? All I'm saying is that Stevenson would be the freshest guy he fought out of the bunch.

 

Does Stevenson still look prime to you?

 

Stevenson looks more serviceable than anybody Marciano fought in that old black and white footage. I never said at 39 that he was in his prime.

 

Stevenson in his last fight does not look as difficult to best as Moore or Charles did at the time Rocky faced them.

Remember at this time Moore moved up to face the number 1 ranked HW in the world and won on points. Charles had just lost a very close fight with the HW champ.

Can you imagine Stevenson doing any of those things? Even at CW?

Stevenson is a past his best LHW champ. Exactly who Marciano preys on.

 

Of course, but I'm referring to elite fighters.

 

Right. But if they haven't got superior skill, those advantages can be overcome.