Page 1 of 1
Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 08:19
by Controversial
I think there should be an age limit, not sure its wise letting people like Holyfield carry on, he is never going to be the fighter he was. I reckon you should be forced to retire at say 45, what do you think?
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 08:21
by Adamj1987
Controversial wrote:I think there should be an age limit, not sure its wise letting people like Holyfield carry on, he is never going to be the fighter he was. I reckon you should be forced to retire at say 45, what do you think?
no becauses the ozzies will get pissed at having the oldest pro
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 08:25
by Controversial
Seriously though I don't care how someone may look physically age affects everyone. Your speed and reflexes diminish so what is the point of carrying on? Most fighters refuse to believe they aren't as good as they used to be or just carry on for a big pay cheque, riding the wave of their past. I would have no interest in watching Tyson, Holyfield, Hearns etc.... fighting now, all they are doing is damaging their reputation and putting blemishes on their career.
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 08:32
by skelp
Yes.
There should be an age limit as the body does not heal well after the mid-twenties.
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 08:35
by ALI
Its a good idea and 45 would be about the right age, but with so many different commissions out there making their own rules it would be very difficult to implement.
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 08:35
by Adamj1987
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 08:38
by Deno1986
Yes. A boxer should not be allowed continue past 45 imo.
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 08:39
by Baboon
Tough call on how you could implement this. Another consideration is that 'aging' seems to occur a lot earlier in the lighter divisions. There are plenty of examples of Heavies who hit their prime in early to mid thirties, whilst most lower weight guys are pretty washed up by that point.
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 08:39
by black panther
Controversial wrote:I think there should be an age limit, not sure its wise letting people like Holyfield carry on, he is never going to be the fighter he was. I reckon you should be forced to retire at say 45, what do you think?
George Foreman would strongly disagree with you. Each individual is different. Hopkins with his crafy style whereby he takes little punishment could go on forever. Aggressive fighters such as Ricky Hatton on the other hand tend to have a shorter shelf life. I think it is the responsibility of boards of control to look at individual cases to determine whether a fighter should be licensed or not.
What I do think would be a good idea is after a certain age/number of fights a fighter should be forced to undergo more regular screening/tests/examinations. Such a process would have surely helped in situations like the tragic case of Howard Clarke.
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 08:41
by Adamj1987
black panther wrote:Controversial wrote:I think there should be an age limit, not sure its wise letting people like Holyfield carry on, he is never going to be the fighter he was. I reckon you should be forced to retire at say 45, what do you think?
George Foreman would strongly disagree with you. Each individual is different. Hopkins with his crafy style whereby he takes little punishment could go on forever. Aggressive fighters such as Ricky Hatton on the hand tend to have a shorter shelf life. I think it is the responsibility of boards of control to look at individual cases to determine whether a fighter should be licensed or not.
What I do think would be a good idea is after a certain age/number of fights a fighter should be forced to undergo more regular screening/tests/examinations. Such a process would have surely helped in situations like the tragic case of Howard Clarke.
who's going to pay for these examinations? im not saying your wrong on the contray i agree with you
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 09:11
by black panther
Adamj1987 wrote:black panther wrote:Controversial wrote:I think there should be an age limit, not sure its wise letting people like Holyfield carry on, he is never going to be the fighter he was. I reckon you should be forced to retire at say 45, what do you think?
George Foreman would strongly disagree with you. Each individual is different. Hopkins with his crafy style whereby he takes little punishment could go on forever. Aggressive fighters such as Ricky Hatton on the hand tend to have a shorter shelf life. I think it is the responsibility of boards of control to look at individual cases to determine whether a fighter should be licensed or not.
What I do think would be a good idea is after a certain age/number of fights a fighter should be forced to undergo more regular screening/tests/examinations. Such a process would have surely helped in situations like the tragic case of Howard Clarke.
who's going to pay for these examinations? im not saying your wrong on the contray i agree with you
Licensing fees I suppose. Good point though, highlighting the fact with health issues its rarely black and white with regards to solutions. Many bodies around the world couldn't give two sh*ts about the health of fighters as long as they get paid. Look at Mexico allowing Margarito to fight again despite having his license suspended in numerous states in America.
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 09:29
by ra2006
If they are medically fit, then they can fight.
Some fighters can not imagine life after boxing, I know a few former fighters who think that. However, you try telling a person for whom boxing has been for 20 years that they are not allowed to fight, they will!!!! it the warriors heart and they will find a commission with lower medical requirements in order to do what they love.
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 09:57
by banjo
They'll just go into the unlicenced world if you took away their licence, it's difficult to get somebody to stop doing something which they've probably been doing since they were kids.
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 11:07
by alexpaterson
I think the amatuer age limit is to low as I think if your fit enough your young enough (within reason)
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 12:43
by Controversial
You seen the level of opponents though, they have all lost more fights than they have won.
I bet I could beat most of them :-)
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 12:50
by Controversial
black panther wrote:Controversial wrote:I think there should be an age limit, not sure its wise letting people like Holyfield carry on, he is never going to be the fighter he was. I reckon you should be forced to retire at say 45, what do you think?
George Foreman would strongly disagree with you. Each individual is different. Hopkins with his crafy style whereby he takes little punishment could go on forever. Aggressive fighters such as Ricky Hatton on the other hand tend to have a shorter shelf life. I think it is the responsibility of boards of control to look at individual cases to determine whether a fighter should be licensed or not.
What I do think would be a good idea is after a certain age/number of fights a fighter should be forced to undergo more regular screening/tests/examinations. Such a process would have surely helped in situations like the tragic case of Howard Clarke.
Look at Foreman though. He beat Moorer aged 45 but his last four fights after the age of 45 were -
Axel Schultz - W MD12
Crawford Grimsley - W UD12
Lou Savarese - W SD12
Shannon Briggs - L MD12
None of them would have lasted 12 rounds with Foreman ordinarily, goes to show how he was on the decline so much that even no hopers were lasting the distance and giving him close fights.
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 13:06
by Des1
Controversial wrote:black panther wrote:Controversial wrote:I think there should be an age limit, not sure its wise letting people like Holyfield carry on, he is never going to be the fighter he was. I reckon you should be forced to retire at say 45, what do you think?
George Foreman would strongly disagree with you. Each individual is different. Hopkins with his crafy style whereby he takes little punishment could go on forever. Aggressive fighters such as Ricky Hatton on the other hand tend to have a shorter shelf life. I think it is the responsibility of boards of control to look at individual cases to determine whether a fighter should be licensed or not.
What I do think would be a good idea is after a certain age/number of fights a fighter should be forced to undergo more regular screening/tests/examinations. Such a process would have surely helped in situations like the tragic case of Howard Clarke.
Look at Foreman though. He beat Moorer aged 45 but his last four fights after the age of 45 were -
Axel Schultz - W MD12
Crawford Grimsley - W UD12
Lou Savarese - W SD12
Shannon Briggs - L MD12
None of them would have lasted 12 rounds with Foreman ordinarily, goes to show how he was on the decline so much that even no hopers were lasting the distance and giving him close fights.
Yes but to be fair he beat 3 of those 4 and they was a bit more than no hopers and if you can hold your own and not get hurt what the problem of earning a living?
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 13:26
by hurlock
Controversial wrote:I think there should be an age limit, not sure its wise letting people like Holyfield carry on, he is never going to be the fighter he was. I reckon you should be forced to retire at say 45, what do you think?
before i came on to the thread i thought 45 :!:
![[icon_e_biggrin.gif] :D](./images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif)
D i think at turning 40 they should be seriously monitored :!:
or maybe only allowed to box 4-5 rds bouts against similar opposition i.e not dangerous prospects.
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 13:49
by Brit Ryan
This maybe the first time this link appears on this site:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... #stpa_o418
I am not sure its lawful in either the UK or Ireland to have arbitrary age limits in either professional or amateur boxing. If I am wrong about this then I think that the Equality Act will change the situation in the UK so it is definitely illegal to put in place restrictions solely based on age.
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 14:05
by hurlock
Brit Ryan wrote:This maybe the first time this link appears on this site:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... #stpa_o418
I am not sure its lawful in either the UK or Ireland to have arbitrary age limits in either professional or amateur boxing. If I am wrong about this then I think that the Equality Act will change the situation in the UK so it is definitely illegal to put in place restrictions solely based on age.
your talking about a blood sport where brain damage is common,the longer your career this increases.
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 15:53
by Controversial
Des1 wrote:Controversial wrote:black panther wrote:
George Foreman would strongly disagree with you. Each individual is different. Hopkins with his crafy style whereby he takes little punishment could go on forever. Aggressive fighters such as Ricky Hatton on the other hand tend to have a shorter shelf life. I think it is the responsibility of boards of control to look at individual cases to determine whether a fighter should be licensed or not.
What I do think would be a good idea is after a certain age/number of fights a fighter should be forced to undergo more regular screening/tests/examinations. Such a process would have surely helped in situations like the tragic case of Howard Clarke.
Look at Foreman though. He beat Moorer aged 45 but his last four fights after the age of 45 were -
Axel Schultz - W MD12
Crawford Grimsley - W UD12
Lou Savarese - W SD12
Shannon Briggs - L MD12
None of them would have lasted 12 rounds with Foreman ordinarily, goes to show how he was on the decline so much that even no hopers were lasting the distance and giving him close fights.
Yes but to be fair he beat 3 of those 4 and they was a bit more than no hopers and if you can hold your own and not get hurt what the problem of earning a living?
But the point is Foreman was one of the biggest punchers ever, he went the 12 round distance in his last 4 fights against guys that wouldn't have lasted 3 rounds before. Surely boxing is more than holding your own against fighters who once wouldn't have last 3 minutes with?
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 16:25
by m1kee50
If you are good enough you are old enough, and if you are good enough then you are young enough... the problem lies with people being allowed to go on past the point they are actually good enough.
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 16:36
by Rixxy
yeah exactly great point.
Re: Should there be an age limit for boxers?
Posted: 08 Apr 2010, 17:46
by Controversial
MatthewS wrote:If you are good enough you are old enough, and if you are good enough then you are young enough... the problem lies with people being allowed to go on past the point they are actually good enough.
Thats very subjective and open to interpretation. How many fighters in their mid 40's are still top of their game? Holyfield still thinks he is one of the greatest heavyweights out there, he is seriously deluded and in danger of getting seriously hurt. I think a limit of 45 is ample, plus it may egg a few of the old fighters on to start fighting more regular rather than fighting once or twice a year if they knew they only had a few years left to achieve anything.