With elite fighters, the single most identifiable trait is the amount of clean power punches they aWithre caught with…Simply put — a once skillful pro boxer becomes more hittable with advancing years.
A prime example of this decline in reflexes & movements was painfully observed in Ali during the mid to late ‘70s —-specifically from 1975 onwards. Pretty much all of his late career opposition— from Frazier through to Shavers, Spinks & Holmes inclusive were able to connect with big headshots that a more elusive Ali would surely have slipped.
Fast forward by a decade & a similar deja vu scenario played out with another great fighter in Marvin Hagler. By 1987 — Hagler was a fighter in stark decline & was noticeably slower in his movements. In Hagler’s case, mileage was probably a bigger contributor than age alone… Believe it or not —Sugar Ray Leonard was not the only one who could have outpointed this slower version of Hagler.
Privately ask SRL — why he never wanted a piece of Hagler in the early ‘80s & he will inevitably tell you — he couldn’t have clipped Hagler so easily & frequently. Hagler always had a pure rock chin & SRL fully realized his only route to victory was via points decision. Hence the fact he delayed this crunch matchup for as long as possible & has actually gone on record & said , “I don’t think I could have beaten Hagler until after his war with Mugabi.”
