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John Dewey · 02-08-2010, 05:58 PM

I really don't like giving my opinion on past fighters because I've got into some nasty arguments. However, it is my general opinion stated at length elsewhere on this forum that ALL old timers are overrated. What film we have of them be it Jack Johnson, Joe Gans, Benny Leonard, or Sam Langford, it's always the same. No combination punching, no lateral movement, slow pace. TBCB best represents "modern" boxing (post 1920). Old timers should be at a disadvantage. In the old days fights were often scheduled for longer then the 15 rounds allowed in the game. Fights were almost never stopped on cuts. No mouth pieces or regulation sized gloves. Fouls were more tolerated (especially if committed by the local favorite). Old timers if transported to today's ring would find themselves outhussled by fighters who they should have been able to beat and, consequently losing many decisions.
When guys like Harry Greb, Jack Dempsey and (after being taken to school by Greb) Gene Tunney came along the era of modern boxing began. This is my opinion which is based on the opinions of other very knowlegable people. To anybody who disagrees with me, there's plenty of film evidence on You Tube. Please view it and decide for yourselves.

02-08-2010, 05:58 PM	#487
John Dewey Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2,207	Langford I really don't like giving my opinion on past fighters because I've got into some nasty arguments. However, it is my general opinion stated at length elsewhere on this forum that ALL old timers are overrated. What film we have of them be it Jack Johnson, Joe Gans, Benny Leonard, or Sam Langford, it's always the same. No combination punching, no lateral movement, slow pace. TBCB best represents "modern" boxing (post 1920). Old timers should be at a disadvantage. In the old days fights were often scheduled for longer then the 15 rounds allowed in the game. Fights were almost never stopped on cuts. No mouth pieces or regulation sized gloves. Fouls were more tolerated (especially if committed by the local favorite). Old timers if transported to today's ring would find themselves outhussled by fighters who they should have been able to beat and, consequently losing many decisions. When guys like Harry Greb, Jack Dempsey and (after being taken to school by Greb) Gene Tunney came along the era of modern boxing began. This is my opinion which is based on the opinions of other very knowlegable people. To anybody who disagrees with me, there's plenty of film evidence on You Tube. Please view it and decide for yourselves.