When I watch Lewis versus Klitschko, the styles look closer to the early period of the Marquis of Queensberry rules than do the styles we see in, say, Ali versus Liston. What do you think? Has the sport regressed?
In ways, honing on your physical advantages has been largely the focus to success. Playing it safe, sticking to your strength, etc. The technical destroyers of a Tyson or Liston feel long gone. That defense, ability, skill, all while playing able to just relentlessly go after people. Technical ability seems much more important in the lower divisions where size plays no role. In the upper echelon you will get arm-punching heavyweights that turn around and run in the face of any danger. This works against the fat, slow-plodding current crop of HW fighters. It also works when you have some power and seriously overwhelm the other fighter. Wlad is a huge exception, as he is technically superb and very athletic for a big man. Although he has his weaknesses/flaws. In some ways I think the HW division has digressed. What fighter of the last 5-10 years had the ability and skill of a Jersey Joe Walcott? Bearing Wlad or Lewis if you would like. As for that specific fight. Lewis was slowing, old, and out of shape. Vitali is sloppy, awkward, and it made for a very odd fight stylistically. Prime Lewis whipes the floor with Vitali I think, though.
No, the sport hasn't, not at all. Check out Mosley against Margarito for a reasonably complete performance look at Marquez-Pacquiao for offence conducted at the highest level and Mayweather against Marquez for an example of top-drawer defence. It's impossible to suggest the sport has regressed in the light of these performances. I do think there is a general shortage of very complete fighters right now and obviously the HW division is frighteningly weak.
I guess I am really speaking more about the heavyweights. I watch the Eastern Europeans and I see that old stand up style so many whites used during the 10s and early 20s. I see Lewis with his holding and uppercuts on the inside and I see the style of many black fighters of that earlier period. There's a sort of bullying opponents around and a lot of grappling. I think the lighter divisions have always been more talented, even going back to the earlier period, albeit not as talented as from the 1930s up until very recently. I think the main problem now is lack of experience at the championship level. Fighters are moved along very quickly these days.
