They were slower smaller and weaker for that very reason.....can you imagine the Robinson/LaMotta series of fights with todays advances in training/nutrition ? They were unbelievable fights and they were men off the streets in physical comparison....................its like comparing Roger Bannister to Seb Coe......was Coe a FASTER runner of course he was......was he a BETTER runner not necessarily.
Bannister was a sprinter, Coe was an 800metres specialist, but I see the analogy and its misleading.Track surfaces and different shoes have helped, and men are bigger , but running is relative