Nick,

I notice Lennox Lewis is very seriously considering a comeback at 43 or 44 years old – see http://www.ringsidereport.com/Lepak172005.htm.

Tommy ‘Hitman’ Hearns, who would probably be older than Lewis, apparently still trains his butt off in the gym and would fight again if the right deal fell in his lap.

Okay, in the case of Tyson, he’s a chump and has run out of money. But with Lewis and George Foreman not long back, it doesn’t seem to be about the money.

What are your views on aging prize fighters getting back into the ring again and again, comeback after comeback?

Not really my area of expertise mate...but I'll do my best to give you an answer.

Years ago it was of course unheard of until George Foreman proved it could be done. I think the reason is probably the superior training methods and diet etc that modern athletes have over their counterparts of yesteryear.

There's no hiding in the ring...if they can't cut the mustard it will show up pretty fast. Hell, maybe that should have a veterans division like the do in some sports for athletes over forty for example.

What about you...what do you think?

Nick

As I get older I still enjoy training dont get me wrong I dont want to be punished by trying to keep up with the younger guys and I have never been one for the ring but when you have enjoyed training for a long number of years you dont want to just give up.

Some of the older fighters that you see look out of shape and slow, this is because they are still mixing it with younger fitter guys as Nick said there should be a veterans division for those who still want to do it, just like there is unlicensed boxing and blue collar boxing.

A place for everything and everything in it's place.


Alan

alright miles...wanker

He did ask about aging prize fighters not aging antipodeans who've had a lot of fights...and my only "prize" fight was done when I was eighteen or so (TKO round III of VI) so I'll stick by my original claim.

Nick

Mind if I jump in Nick?

I think the fighters that fight past their prime (with some degree of success) possess two important attributes:

1) A hard punch
2) The ability to take a hard punch

Fighters that rely on speed and natural gifts don't last too long as their reflexes tend to go (Roy Jones, Holyfield etc.)

I must admit that I only read the thread title and couldn't resist my retort old chap.

I stand corrected.

Yours in youth



Nick

PS nothing wrong with a bit of self abuse now & again

I reckon in most cases it’s a bit sad really Nick.

On the one hand they are grown men and should be able to make their own decisions. But on the other it’s almost like they need someone – perhaps their mother (getting old by now!) or wife – to drag them out of it by the ear.

The idea of a senior division may have merit. If it was run properly, professionally etc, and they fought lesser rounds – perhaps 8 x 2 minute rounds - it could work.

It'd certainly draw crowd interest. But these guys tend to expect Millions every time they climb in, and I don't know if Millions could be generated by a senior division.

watch -this till the e-+nd to see how an aged fighter can punch..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzm1uX6poE4

the punch is the last thing to go.