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The Greatest
Fighters of All-Time
Boxing fans have
varied opinions as to which fighters were the greatest of all-time.
Younger fans prefer the modern fighters. Older fans prefer the old
timers. Other fans have mixed and more diversified views.
Those who favor the modern fighters argue that the men have gotten
bigger, faster, and stronger over the years. They also point out that
techniques have improved with the passing of time.
Those who favor the fighters of the earlier years contend that the men
grew up in tougher times and were "hungrier," more rugged, better
disciplined, and better conditioned.
I have
written two articles which address these aspects and they are in The
Cyberboxingzone (CBZ) Journal archives. The first article is entitled "Athletes
- Bigger, Faster, Stronger. Are they Better? What About Boxers?" and
is contained in the June 1998 issue of The CBZ Journal. The second
article is entitled "Ranking
the All-Time Boxing Greats" and is contained in the July 1998 issue
of The CBZ Journal.
I do not
believe that all fighters and athletes necessarily get better with the
passing years. Athletes do get bigger, faster, and stronger over time.
Techniques improve too. But, that does not mean they are better.
Different periods of history impart certain attitudes and practices due
to the "temper of the times" and the conditions under which the people
live. Athletic skills are affected by mental conditioning and discipline
as well as physical attributes and techniques. Consequently, performance
peaks and ebbs in different periods of history and fighters are better
in some periods than they are in others.
It is my
definite belief that different periods of history produce more good
fighters than other periods but the very best fighters of all-time from
any era could fight with each other on a competitive and "near-equal"
basis.
In these rankings, I
have included a man in several weight classes if I believe him to be
among the greatest at that weight. For what it's worth, here is one
man's opinion. |
