All the supplements, not saying PEDS, but energy supplements like SNAC and stuff like that is allowing older fighter to feel and therefore fight like a younger man, Donaire does not look 38 in the ring, like 30 years ago 38 was shot to pieces for most, obviously there are other things like nutrition and avoiding hard sparring, but I thought this is also a possibility, what are your thoughts?
Also fewer fights and generally less grueling fights — no more 15-rounders for one thing plus most prospects don’t step up til they are in contention or in some cases until they have belts. We are in the age of 15-0 world champs.
One other thing also is the top fighters don't fight as often as they used to. For example Matthew Saad Muhammad who held the WBC belt from April 79 - December 81 defended his title 8 times before losing it to Qawi.
A really basic reason is better surgical techniques. Even Odlanier Solis’ fatass came back from the blown out knee. A lot of these shoulder injuries would’ve been permanent back in the old days.
Good thread. I think the less fights is a big reason. 60 fights in a career is massive nowadays. In "the old days" it was average.
Sportsmen nowadays benefit from better nutrition, better training, PEDs, better recovery, medical advancements and as some already mentioned, they don't have as much wear and tear.
Less fights, less punishment, better nutrition/supplements are good reasons, and definitely big contributers but I think having strong S&C programs is apart of it, too. Programs which build on athleticism will let a fighter stay sharp for years later, and corrective exercises are gonna help prevent injuries and have muscles working reliably well past their sell by date. The other reason, is it's simply a much easier world to live in nowadays. Better infrastructure, medical care, job opportunities, standard of living, etc; mean working class fighters aren't getting worn out by their fifteenth birthday. Manual labor performed wrong (ie, doing groundwork with poor 'technique' and working heavy duty machinery) will burn a body quicker than any sport.
They used to throw teenagers in with world beaters. Fighters generally used to have their big fights earlier than they do now. Plenty of fighters now are shot before 38, and there were guys fighting at a high level into their 40s in the past. I agree there's a trend, but plenty go against it both ways.
Not to mention that a detached retina up until a certain point was a career-ender (or fighting half-blind after memorizing an eye chart and fooling the commission physical … if there even was one).
I think the lack of sustained beating with some styles helps them learn instead of take a huge beating, which seems to expediate decline. Tyson was still powerful after Douglas, but lost much of his defensive skills after that.. He was a much more hittable fighter after that and would stand there giving but taking punches, where before he would work get inside with defense and knock guys out.
The more sensible fighter that have longevity do not mess around with illegal artificial substances like Modern Nutrition, they always keep their bodies in top form by hard work in the gym. They are always doing roadwork, sparring, skipping rope and hitting the heavy bag. And they watch what they consume, and get plenty of rest.
If you're talking about elite fighters here, what is the basis of your knowledge about what the more sensible ones are/aren't doing? Since a lot of Modern Nutrition is illegal, fighters aren't going to advertise the fact that they use it.