Why don't some classic boxing fans and historians give modern fighters credit?

If there ever was a "golden era" of boxing the 50's through the 70's seem the likeliest candidate. This was before the alphabet era and the best fighters also faced each other. It was hardly seen as a golden age at the time, though.

 

Nice post. Reminded me of this recent article, which persuasively argues that Russell Westbrook is a much better basketball player than consensus top-10/top-15 ATG Oscar Robertson was.

https://theringer.com/nba-oscar-robertson-triple-double-record-russell-westbrook-8cea2f883240

 

Thanks. I'll check that out.

 

I think you make a good point here but if you're a betting man this is something you'll want to overcome. On this forum there are a lot of boxing fans with a lot of opinions. Some of the most adept, sharp posters can come off as dk-heads and some of the most likeable, friendly posters have no real knowledge or insight (like me). There are gems of valuable information posted on this site but a lot of noise to block out also.

Obviously there are also plenty here who are helpful and friendly while also being experts who can really drop some knowledge too.

 

LOL

 

I thinks its a generational thing on both sides. I also do think everything seems better when your young. I'm sure as the years go by some of the fighters I like watching today. Won't look as good when I watch them as an old man.

 

in most sports that happens. The earlier days were better than the present, although usually it is true.. In boxing the ranks are much easier than they were 30 years ago. because of the lack of amateur preparation..

 

See my post on the Kovalev thread!

 

Like Kovalev?lol

 

If GGG gets beat up by Alvarez don't you think that would significantly and negatively change how he is currently evaluated?

 

Not really the middleweight division is pretty weak,guys like Saunders wouldn't make the top ten in other eras yet he holds a belt today!Khurtsidze is just a strong clubfighter yet he is ranked no7!Andy Lee has held a belt yet he is really not much more than a good tradesman, Ryota Murata has had12 fights and he is number 9,Derevyanchenko at number 10 has had10 fights.They may turn out to be greats but the fact that they are top ten rated now shows the dearth of quality at 160lbs.
Ricky Burns has won multiple titles yet he isnt a great fighter,just a good one.
Welter weight is a deep division with some very accomplished guys residing there,and Jnr Welter is decent too with the excellent Crawford ruling the roost, but how much better does he look because the rest of the pack aren't anything outstanding?
The depth of quality just isn't there in any division save the lower weights.

 

Haven't read all the posts but for those who know me, my complaint is about Eras.
I'm sick of prime Vlad vs. prime Dempsey.
Prime Tyson vs. prime Louis.
Prime Leonard vs. prime SRR.
It gets in my craw...
Either reverse the fighters eras and then debate or...
have a 90's Louis vs. a 90's Tyson or...
A 40's Tyson vs. a 40's Louis.
No one seems to see my point.

 

Hagler was what for those fights 21 and 22? He fought them in their hometown and avenged both losses.
Monzon lost to a 16- 0-0 fighter in his 9th fight and to a 50 fight boxer in his 14th,his loss to 2-0-0 Massi is inexplicable though he had fought 2 weeks earlier.I think the GGG v Alvarez fight is a 60/40 match with GGG being the favourite but Alvarez has considerably improved and GGG is35.I wouldn't be astonished if Alvarez won.

 

Jow you have a very valid point. The newbies point to size and reach and ignore skill and the fact all that size is predominantly due to ROIDS. Take the huge fighters today and put them back in Dempseys day and they would be lanky hwts. Take Louis and put him in today's Roid world and you would have all that skill along with 20 pounds of additional muscle. However the other side of the coin is does a Louis really need 20 additional pounds? He already had the power to nearly punch holes through opponents at 202 pounds and would make today's ponderous 12 round hwts appear in slow motion.