The problem with this generation of Heavyweights and their claims to greatness

Yeah, I agree on the recency bias.

Now I admit, I was happy that Usyk won. But I was already firmly in the camp of whoever did win needed to give the next generation (i.e. Hrgovic) a title shot. This fight had already been significantly delayed* and both men weren't getting any younger. It would be disengenous of me to now pretend otherwise.

We can't really have it both ways as you say.


* I noticed the rematch has already been pushed back by Arum as well...

 

That's an interesting take. Must admit it's not something I've thought much about. Are you referring to the soviet style entering the pro game in '89?

 

Sorry, @vast, but who were you replying to?
Are you referring to what @MrPook and @Dorrian_Grey were discussing?

 

I think the last ten years there has been more of a division in the Heavyweight division. A American circuit (if you like) and the European one. The PBC with the help of the WBC cut themselves off from major European challengers until Wilder gave a shot to the returning Fury. The European league (which included fighters from Australasia) was headed by Joshua and Usyk. You did get some crossover but the divide seemed pretty clear.

So the problem still somewhat exists, as many were upholding the top fighters in the American circuit to be on the same level as those of the European circuit. The last year or so has told us this was not the case.

Its an interesting issue though, but I'm not sure it really puts the current crop ahead of the old for the above reason.

 

About Apophenia. You'll have to argue that one as I'm still not convinced (I may well be making such an error, but it is a bit of a nebulous catch-all term). Basically, we went from someone plucking a term from the internet that psychologists use---describing the tendency of children to see faces in cloud formations and wood knots (incorrect here, but it did make me chuckle)---to a catch all umbrella term which includes many types of pattern errors. As you are giving me a grade for effort, it's only fair you try to be specific with the terminology.

But, sure, I hold my hands up that it is not a deep analysis, more a bit of fun. Perhaps I will revisit it more deeply in November once I have a day off again.

The conversation about world Global--American is also of interest to me.

 

Btw @MorvidusStyle @Decker about that American--global issue and the old pros fighting mainly among themselves in America. Interesting, but...

So far Usyk has 6 heavyweight fights, 5 of them against British fighters. Maybe he needs to branch out and fight some other fighters. Maybe, say, a next generation fighter from New Zealand (Parker), or one from Germany (Kabayel) or one from Croatia (Hrgovic) would help him climb the ATG lists above those old Americans...


edit: apologies to Croatians, you were never part of the eastern bloc.

 

Not really I guess. I only ask because your post seemed like a response to someone.

You posted directly after my post, and I also wrote the OP, so I was confused by your comment as I made no mention of popularity or general activity being a sign of greatness