If one were to take a list of the greatest heavyweights, one would find that in fact, most, if not virtually all of these fighters, faced
a lack of fellow ATG, fighters. Ali and a few others were the exception to this rule. Marciano, was also an exception, even if he fought ATG fighters after their prime.
Lets look at the demographics to understand why this situation persists. First, the averages for a human being physiologically dictate that most men, on average, will traditionally be a weight of between 140 and around 160ish. that means boxing talent comes into the sport, mostly in the light to middle divisions, from light weight, through to welter weight... At the ends of the weight spectrum we have those who are exceptionally light, and those who are exceptionally large.
Within boxing the heavyweight division is technically an open division. This means that men who are lighter, are incentised to fight up and take on the larger fighters. This happens under a few circumstances: When a heavyweight champ is perceived as weak, vis a vis low hanging fruit... Also, when a lighter man can adjust up physically, or, has the means to fight and equalize the weight disadvantage against a heavier opponent.
An example of the first instance would be when Roy Jones fought Ruiz... An example of the second would be Tunney fighting Dempsey.
Given this situation is there a better way to evaluate talent and competition faced in the Heavyweight division? Can we do this so it makes sense historically? I believe we can... Before I discuss my point of view on this topic, I would love to hear what others
think about this situation and if they might consider alternative ways of evaluating competition faced by heavyweight champions in the past and present.
a lack of fellow ATG, fighters. Ali and a few others were the exception to this rule. Marciano, was also an exception, even if he fought ATG fighters after their prime.
Lets look at the demographics to understand why this situation persists. First, the averages for a human being physiologically dictate that most men, on average, will traditionally be a weight of between 140 and around 160ish. that means boxing talent comes into the sport, mostly in the light to middle divisions, from light weight, through to welter weight... At the ends of the weight spectrum we have those who are exceptionally light, and those who are exceptionally large.
Within boxing the heavyweight division is technically an open division. This means that men who are lighter, are incentised to fight up and take on the larger fighters. This happens under a few circumstances: When a heavyweight champ is perceived as weak, vis a vis low hanging fruit... Also, when a lighter man can adjust up physically, or, has the means to fight and equalize the weight disadvantage against a heavier opponent.
An example of the first instance would be when Roy Jones fought Ruiz... An example of the second would be Tunney fighting Dempsey.
Given this situation is there a better way to evaluate talent and competition faced in the Heavyweight division? Can we do this so it makes sense historically? I believe we can... Before I discuss my point of view on this topic, I would love to hear what others
think about this situation and if they might consider alternative ways of evaluating competition faced by heavyweight champions in the past and present.
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