Does anyone still think the old time heavyweights were too small to be competitive in the modern era?

[Bronson66]

So by that logic, as long as modern heavyweights weren’t as good as the old time greats the size wouldn’t make a difference either then?

As long as they were around the dimensions I stated. I would not give the small guys like Corbett,Fitz,Burns,Marciano,much of a chance.
You are trying to steer this into the old familiar direction, something which occurs everytime a smaller guy beats a bigger one.

In trying to do so you are ignoring the fact that Usyk is bigger than Louis,Dempsey,Jeffries, Liston,Johnson, Baer ,and comparable in size to Ali.Holmes,and other modern sized heavies,he is NOT a little heavyweight.The usual motive behind this is so Marciano can then be slowly introduced into the equation.

[ShoulderRoll]

As long as they were around the dimensions I stated. I would not give the small guys like Corbett,Fitz,Burns,Marciano,much of a chance.
You are trying to steer this into the old familiar direction, something which occurs everytime a smaller guy beats a bigger one.

In trying to do so you are ignoring the fact that Usyk is bigger than Louis,Dempsey,Jeffries, Liston,Johnson, Baer ,and comparable in size to Ali.Holmes,and other modern sized heavies,he is NOT a little heavyweight.The usual motive behind this is so Marciano can then be slowly introduced into the equation.

Usyk is bigger how? Not significantly height-wise.

He does weigh more but again, the old school believed in staying lean and mean in order to fight 15-rounds or even longer. I seriously doubt that fat Tyson Fury could go 15, he is already huffing and puffing by round 7 or so.

[Bronson66]

Anybody who has been around the History section of this website for a while knows that there are several posters who think less of the old time heavyweights. That’s who I was addressing.

And in many cases I would agree with them as far as the outcome of matches is concerned. I would not give Jeffries, Corbett,Fitzsimmons,Hart,Burns,Marciano, very good chances today for various reasons.Dempsey,Louis,I would give good chances of shining.

[ShoulderRoll]

And in many cases I would agree with them as far as the outcome of matches is concerned. I would not give Jeffries, Corbett,Fitzsimmons,Hart,Burns,Marciano, very good chances today for various reasons.Dempsey,Louis,I would give good chances of shining.

Fat Andy Ruiz knocked out Joshua.

Prime Fitz with his blacksmith back and shoulders would have an outside shot of doing the same if he touched that chin, IMO.

[Willie Pep 229]

Anybody who has been around the History section of this website for a while knows that there are several posters who think less of the old time heavyweights. That’s who I was addressing.

Fair enough.

[IronDanHamza]

Fat Andy Ruiz knocked out Joshua.

Prime Fitz with his blacksmith back and shoulders would have an outside shot of doing the same if he touched that chin, IMO.

You give Bob Fitzimmons a shot at knocking out AJ

You are far and beyond the most clueless moron on this site. There isn't even a close second.

[BKM-]

We had this exact same thread after their first fight so I'm going to repeat myself.

Usyk does not represent the "smaller heavyweights of the past" except for the 70s & 80s HW's, which is what his actual size is comparable to. Not Louis, Dempsey, Patterson or other ones mentioned(I do believe other hw's of the past were big enough like Liston, Johnson, Jeffries). He is a big HW by now and has an upright stance with movement so he uses his full height and reach.

So he is not really breaking any narrative because the vast majority of boxing fans, even size queens, do not believe that George Foreman, Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes, Kenny Norton etc. were too small to compete against modern HW's.

[BKM-]

Usyk is bigger how? Not significantly height-wise.

He does weigh more but again, the old school believed in staying lean and mean in order to fight 15-rounds or even longer. I seriously doubt that fat Tyson Fury could go 15, he is already huffing and puffing by round 7 or so.

To be fair to Tyson Fury, he is quite far past his prime now. He had a short prime and the guy we saw against Wladmiri Klitschko(a true menace who would be trouble for any HW we've seen) has been long gone and we only saw him back one more time in the second Wilder fight, which is when he fought with a different style.

[DeeMoney]

I honestly think it depends on how old are we going with "old time" and how much do you use Usyk as your proving point.

Bob Fitzsimmons is an ATG, but I don't think someone fighting as a SMW is at an advantage to consistently beat top tier heavyweights, nor would I favor him at that weight to do damage against a quality heavyweight 50lbs heavier (and still in shape).

Marciano is an ATG, but its specious to cite Usyk's win as proof that smaller fighters could win (not writing that they couldn't just that Usyk doesnt prove that). Usyk was 5 inches and 35 pounds bigger than prime Rocky. In fact Marciano only faced two fighters who were as big as (the small guy) Usyk was in his heavyweight fights, and they werent world class fighters.

I have no problem with someone arguing old time, smaller Heavyweights could compete today, but I don't think citing a 6'3" 225lb Usyk's victory proves that someone significantly smaller could do the same.

[IronDanHamza]

I honestly think it depends on how old are we going with "old time" and how much do you use Usyk as your proving point.

Bob Fitzsimmons is an ATG, but I don't think someone fighting as a SMW is at an advantage to consistently beat top tier heavyweights, nor would I favor him at that weight to do damage against a quality heavyweight 50lbs heavier (and still in shape).

Marciano is an ATG, but its specious to cite Usyk's win as proof that smaller fighters could win (not writing that they couldn't just that Usyk doesnt prove that). Usyk was 5 inches and 35 pounds bigger than prime Rocky. In fact Marciano only faced two fighters who were as big as (the small guy) Usyk was in his heavyweight fights, and they werent world class fighters.

I have no problem with someone arguing old time, smaller Heavyweights could compete today, but I don't think citing a 6'3" 225lb Usyk's victory proves that someone significantly smaller could do the same.

Perfect response.

Essentially end of thread from any logical standpoint.