In past years look at Records (to verify) boxers were much, much more active than these days. Look at the Late great Willie Pep's record and compare to the boxers active on the now. Pep had some 250 bouts. Yes: the money these days at the top is something never achievable in past eras (Willie Pep never made any even 1/4 mil. for one bout). Still, you will have exceptions. Buck Smith of recent vintage was hughly active (and highly rated, too).
The culture of boxing has changed. Still, it is only the upper echelon boxers making the nice paydays you'd be surprised how cheap many fighters are placed on cards, for. So...it's a cultural change, really. If past years boxing was as popular as Baseball, & football are today. Thus, there were more opportunities to box. In the case of Buck Smith, he was perpetual with his activity thus, he approached it as a hobby and more for the sport than as a business. He was a Top Gun, certainly, but...bet you he took cuts money wise in order to do what he did.
More so it is a combination of reasons why. The money lends to that with the Big bio, fighters. But, it's a trend. By the way, that trend isn't as fast negative as the casual fan maybe will suppose. Look close at Ring magazine world ratings.
Many of the rated boxers on now will have a 50 plus bout resume. Juan Maneul Marquez comes to mind. Bernard Hopkins is active yet and slowed. In his case, age and all, the such move is wisdom, only. He is less active but...it's just in keeping with his personal bio-rythems. He can't perform great, any longer without his personal rest, and store up. Hopkins at his age, is yet considered one of a handful of Four Star boxers active
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