Why should we care about "Classic" boxing history?

In my opinion, we should care about boxing history for the same reason we should care about history in general - those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. This might be more applicable to fighters and promoters - and sanctioning bodies - than just us fans, but many of the 'problems' in boxing are the same problems that boxing has always had, and some of them could be solved.

But as a fan, the answer is simple - it helps to shift fact from fiction. The importance of a fight or fighter is hyped all the time, and without having at least some knowledge of what went before you'll fall for the con every time. I know some boxing fans don't like MMA - me neither - but Dana White claimed in the run-up to Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem that it was "the most important heavyweight fight in any combat sport - MMA, boxing, kickboxing - in years". (I'm paraphrasing him.) That's blatantly bull****, but how do we know this? By comparing it to other fights that have went before it.

Take Joe Calzaghe, for example. I'm not going to trash him, but many of his fans point to his undefeated record as evidence of him being an "all-time great" or in some cases "a top 10 all-time great". So, without knowing about the legends of years gone past, how can we actually form an opinion on whether Calzaghe deserves such praise?

 

because we are nerd about this situation.