Why do old fighters get judged so harshly?

Certain people like certain styles. Those that like the more modern style will often criticize the older style.

 

I think your problem is exactly what you said in your op. You're a fan of classic and modern boxing. Why even differ between the two, more importantly how do you differ between the two?

This should all be case by case situations. For instance Marciano looks a lot better than Tony Bellew on fight footage. But there are people from around that time who don't look as good on fight footage compared to fighters today.

 

I'm just glad we have footage of the old timers. It's all well and good reading about the guys from eighty odd years ago but to be able to actually see them in action is great. Even if the quality s not that good, you can get a flavour of them. The more old footage we can dig out the better.

 

Those people are ridiculous.

Jimmy Wilde is one of the best boxers I've ever seen in my life.

 

You've already been clowned mercilessly for your ridiculous efforts to rebrand Max Baer as some kind of highly skilled technician. Let's not open this one back up. And please try not to spread false rumors about my hard ons.

 

Those people don't really exist.

 

You'll never get a coherent, plausible answer on this one. Guess it must be some kind of historical accident that men who devote their lives to optimizing their boxing abilities, and who have every incentive to pursue whatever tactics and techniques will provide them the greatest competitive advantages, fight very differently than their counterparts from 100+ years ago.

 

Some

of the 1890s fighters did suck....biggest reason was comparative lack of competition...next reason was some holdover from bareknucke techniques such as low guard to grab around neck for suit in chancery...leaning back for same reason...if you bend over too often you'll get put in suit in chancery....long distance bouts that slowed the pace...

 

Is "chancery" slang for prison?

 

Only the ignorant posters harshly judge past greats. Knowledgeable posters will tell you that great fighters, truly great fighters, would stand out in any era.

 

Hole in one, pal That and I was never as sold on JJ as some of the other old guys.

I just look at the footage - what's available - and it becomes apparent that some of these dudes were not all that.

 

BTW, I liked your other posts on this thread, you made some good points. I posted this at 3am (couldn't sleep) and went back to bed. Forgot to give you your props for some decent thinking.