Why no more 180-199lb boxers with extraordinary punching power?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mrkoolkevin, Feb 1, 2018.


  1. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    In another thread, I noticed that there seems to be a consensus on this forum that the hardest hitting 180-199lb fighters of all time were all born 70+ years ago. Is this right? If so, any hypotheses for why not a single one of the thousands and thousands of boxers that size who were born in the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s could hit as hard as the hardest-punching small heavyweights of the past?
     
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  2. Contro

    Contro Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Well apparently Golovkin hits harder than Povetkin and hes only about 170-175
     
  3. lloydturnip

    lloydturnip Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Briedas can wack ! Sparked that big lump Charr with one shot all 17st of him.
     
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  4. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    Ha. The infamous sparring partner testimonial. At least @reznick is consistent across eras in his belief that size does not matter when it comes to truly elite punching power--whether he's talking about Dempsey 100 years ago, Marciano 70 years ago, or Golovkin and even himself today.
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2018
  5. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    To be fair, fighters that size don't get to test their power against bigger men anymore due to the creation of the cruiser weight division.

    To use a bit of triangle theory here, Marciano and Floyd Patterson are generally considered harder punchers than Ali but Ali hit hard enough to hurt George Foreman. By default, we can assume that Marciano and Patterson could hit hard enough to hurt George Foreman (landing the shot is another kettle of fish). Both Marciano and Patterson would be considered cruisers today. If we assume they hit hard enough to say hurt a 70's Foreman, then they may hit hard enough to theoretically hurt any modern 200+ pound heavy. That's just my take on it.
     
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  6. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    Contro is a SHW and he admitted I had him at least.
    Although the term SHW might be loose in this case.

    But we have yet to see your supposed mastery of the craft! In which you claim supremacy over the rest of us in, although you've never sparred in your life, but have promised over ten times that you would prove it through footage. Don't be so shy to give yourself some credit for consistency too.
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2018
  7. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    So am I supposed to listen to the words of an actual sparring partner, or a big guy who can barely move a 50lb bag?
     
  8. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    Gassiev would probably be the closest candidate.
    Unless you have other options to offer?

    Who do you think is not getting their fair praise today or yesterday compared to Langford, Dempsey, etc?

    These guys were anomalies, rarities, you won't find then every decade.
    Where is the Hearns of today?
    Where is the Hagler of today?
    Where is the Ali of today?

    Are you also going to insinuate that classic fans are downplaying an Ali like talent today in favor of nostalgic legends?
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2018
  9. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    When did Contro admit that?

    Sorry, I haven't been in a boxing gym since (well before) we discussed it. Will take footage and post when I get a chance. For the record, I never said that I'd mastered any craft--I just said that I could teach you a few things about how to work a heavybag. A pretty modest claim.

    PS - BTW, no offense but I'm not convinced that you've sparred much (any?) more than I have. If you've really been in heated, all-out sparring wars with professional boxers then Perry really broke all those treadmills Steve Austin style.
     
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  10. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    Who knows, I suspect that there have been any number of sub-200lb fighters who hit as hard as Dempsey or Langford or Choynski or Fitzsimmons. I don't see any reason to believe that the hardest hitting medium-sized men of 1900-1960 hit much harder than their counterparts from 1961-2018. Sounds like the stuff of tall tales and fairy tales to me.
     
  11. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    Who then?
    Should be names we know if they can punch as close to those guys.

    You seem to be keeping your argument in a space of abstraction.
    Supposedly there are these Dempsey and Langford hitters amongst us, that nobody knows or appreciates.
    Who then? Sounds like ghost stories.
     
  12. The Kentucky Cobra

    The Kentucky Cobra Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Because what you guys fail to realize is fighters dont just do training routines and go with a random number they see on the scale at the end of the week.

    There are weight goals for each division because nobody wants their fighter to be at a disadvantage.

    Contemporary:
    175=180 to 185 in ring weight
    199=210 to 215 in ring weight
    200=220 to 240

    Why would anyone want to come in at 190 at Cruiser today? They would be giving up 20 pounds at least nightly.
     
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  13. JC40

    JC40 Boxing fan since 1972 banned Full Member

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    Hi Kev, I wonder if the fact that fighters in the old times used lighter gloves makes a big difference ?

    I believe that a 190 pound guy using 6 oz horse hair padded gloves would have a much greater chance of hurting a larger opponent than someone using modern 10 oz gloves full of foam padding. If you watch say Ali vs Frazier 1 or 3 you will notice they used 8 oz gloves.

    In Joe Louis day I believe the used 6 oz gloves. I think they changed it to 8 oz after WW2 but don't quote me on that.

    The modern large, foam padded 10 oz gloves are actually a big advantage for the so called giants or super heavyweights. They also encourage fighters to earmuff - use a Winky Wright style high guard compared to fighters with smaller gloves who had to duck, slip and evade punches more.

    Cheers.
     
  14. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Perry used to have everyone in the gym stop and watch him when he put the pedal to the medal. They'd all gather around slack jawed with awe, cheering him profusely upon his conclusion. One unsubstantiated rumour claimed he was showered with underwear when an all girl boxing/aerobics class arrived early one time.
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2018
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  15. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    Excellent point.
     
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