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Old school fighters displayed a remarkable level of activity unheard of in today’s boxing world. Oftentimes, contemporary champions only fight two to three times a year and are hailed for their busyness. In stark contrast, legends like Sugar Ray Robinson fought an astonishing ten times in a single year during 1941. Henry Armstrong defended his Welterweight Title a staggering 27 times within two years, a feat that dwarfs the career numbers of many modern champions.
The primary motivator driving this relentless schedule was simple: survival. Fighters of yesteryear had no lucrative paydays or sponsorships; they fought for their livelihoods. This relentless pursuit meant they remained in peak condition year-round — there was no time for layoff periods or fallback plans.