LOL I think you misinterpreted what I was trying to say, More athletic? Yes. Better? NO! Power and speed do not make boxers, Well they make them but they hardly make them great, Look at the guys who are taking over today, Winky Wright, Hopkins, Glen Johnson, Cory Spinks, and James Toney they all have something in common, They are throwbacks, They are not the most talented fighters in the world but there skill and craft, (which remind me of fighters from the old days) Are Great, they have defense, and they all have skill, and lets not forget they all defeated the modern day fighters (which I call more "Athletes" than fighters) even though IMO They are not as athletic as the guys they have W's over.
And please don't think im saying they have no talents Because Cory spinks has Great hand speed, and James toney and Hopkins have great chins, but most of there greatness aren't in there speed or power its in there Skill such as Style, defense and ability to adjust to styles because of there skill level. Again im not saying all of today fighters are more athletic than those in the early days, what im saying there training is more focus on speed and power, while those in the good old days was focus more on Skill, and craft.
And lets face it alot of fighters today do not have "Skills" Roy Jones is a perfect example of a fighter who relied on his Physical gifts too much, Just imagine if he would have took the time to be more skillful? Learned you don't go straight back after throwing punches, and those types of basics.
So Modern day fighters more Athletic? Yes. Better? NO! And I think The fighters I listed above proves Skills pays the bills, because these guys continue to beat the Favorites.
