Theory on why fighters have more longevity

Even if true, that doesn't tell us anything about their prevalence in boxing. Professional boxers accept all kinds of damage to their bodies, since the sport is designed to inflict it. (Including hormone imbalances caused by concussion, and speech difficulties and psychological issues from same.)

 

It is true, the fighters today are too lazy to endure hard work and put these hideous illegal substances in their bodies that later on cause cancers. A body is like a castle, why destroy it because of a lack of ambition. Plain and simple, illegal substances are no good for anyone.

 

I disagree that it's a symptom of laziness or lack of ambition for a boxer to use steroids. Holyfield was a very hard worker with plenty of ambition. And a very brave fighter to boot. His willingness to destroy his own body with chemicals was very similar to his willingness to trade punches. He just accepted damage as the cost of winning. This may be self destructive and cheating, but it's the opposite of laziness.

Similarly, I really doubt that the great fighters of the 20s thru 70s would have stayed away from Modern Nutrition if they'd had the opportunity to use it. Ali was taking diuretics before the Holmes fight that I'm pretty sure are banned today. Dempsey reportedly used cocaine as a PED. LaMotta'a wife said he tried to get some kind of synthetic testosterone. There are others as well.

PEDs are a problem in boxing because they work, and because people still refuse to talk about them as much as they should. Dismissing them as an unhealthy tool that real, manly boxers don't use only makes the problem worse, because it conceals the extent of their effect on the sport.

 

You like Steroids, different strokes for different folks. I think that you need my attention, I do not have time for you, try someone else who cares.

 

Boxing isn't as rough as it once was. The # of fights, just pure wear and tear is not the same. A guy with 80+ to over 100 fights at 35 is gonna be at the end of the line. A fighter only has so many fights in him.
Nutrition can can help, mostly if the fighter believes it. The main difference is the sport has changed.

 

PED use in boxing and other combat/contact sports amounts to more than just mere cheating as compared to, say a sprinter, who gains the edge over the rest of the field.

A sprinter while cheating is only otherwise damaging themselves physically. In boxing, all possible advantages entertained,PED usage can allow for greater damage being exacted an opponent. The level of culpability and ramifications of which are perhaps not dissimilar to a fighter who might doctors his gloves outright.

 

I'm a little surprised by your response. You posted on a public discussion thread about steroids in boxing. Including several posts talking to me specifically.

In light of that, I find your testiness over my responding to your post odd. (And again, it's kind of rude to keep insisting that I "like steroids" when I've told you that I don't, repeatedly.)

But if you don't want me to talk to you, the easiest way to avoid that is to not reply to me.

 

You keep talking about them, what is next? You seem to obsess on a subject and will not let go, if you like them again different strokes for different folks. I am glad you are not running this country.

 

The thread literally is about why old fighters can keep competing into old age. "PEDs" is one answer to that question. You yourself mentioned them. And you "liked" many of my posts that you're now saying (mere minutes after liking the last one!) disqualify me for the Presidency.

At this point, I'm kind if baffled, TBH.

 

Thank God you are not running this country, your new name should be Steroids.

 

You're really bringing this on yourself. Every thread where it comes up, you chime in to say that steroids are bad. And then don't want to discuss it further, for some reason.

Yes. We get it. We all agree that steroids are bad. But they are relevant to old/modern comparisons. That's what you're not getting.

It's like if somebody went into every thread about Dempsey/Sharkey, or Bowe/anyone, just to say, "Fouling BAD!!!" in a driveby post...and then gets offended if anyone replies.

Yeah. We know! But it happens, and it can decide the outcomes of bouts. This is a boxing history forum.

(Fans' ostrich-in-the-sand approach of refusing to discuss the subject is also the reason we've taken so long to get any testing in this sport. So there's that, too.)

 

Better Steroids than Trump.

 

It's many things . Better nutrition, science, supplements (legal and illegal) etc.
But the most important reasons in my opinion, is championship fights changed from 15rds to 12 . Better much more aware refereeing, that are much quicker to stop a fight. Dr.s on site.
Less hard sparring, less fights.
Think about the Philly fighters from the 40's through the 80's. Their gym wars were legendary. But think of the many fighters that were burned out in those same gyms.
Though the downside is boxers are not as sharp or as skilled. It's the reason why we don't see the unique defensive brilliance of a Willie Pep, Benitez, Whitaker, or Jones Jr.
The offensive brilliance of a Joe Louis, Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns, or Wilfredo Gomez.
Or the complete brilliance of a Ray Robinson, Ray Leonard, or Sal Sanchez.

 

Less fights and advances in medicine like stem cell recovery along with PEDs extending careers and reducing recovery time. more safety consicous. The fact that 30-40 is a norm today fighters back in the day ere paid far less and were on the road a lot more example of the extreme is Len Wickwar with 472 fights with 342 wins 94 KO's fought from 1928 to 1947. Boxers didn't have PPV and brand sponsership and was just as corrupt as today as for decades it was run by the mob.

 

It also depends on slot of factors.
You have the weight bullies that basically kill there body to squeeze into a weight class and sooner or latter that is going to catch you because cut wreaks your body.
You have ones that without there reflexs they wouldn't be nearly as effective and when just a little go they find themselves in trouble.
You have ones that take 3 to give one and that will shorten a career immensely.
You have ones that slug it out all the time but have no power.