[Shocked Quartz]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2012/nov/13/forgotten-story-rocky-marciano-muhammad-ali

 

[GazOC]

Good read. I'd never expected the 2 to get on so well.

 

[JamieC]

interesting, but ultimately flawed as it would be accurate in current predictions which it was not. i dont know if they could ever make a system complicated enough to correctly predict boxing, and it would never settle "whos greater" style debates but an interesting idea, and apparently a profitable one

 

[GazOC]

I think back then computers were so mystical to most people that if you told them one could predict boxing matches then a lot would believe it.

 

[Shocked Quartz]

Reckon that loads of refinements could be made but a problem would probably be limited common opponents (suppose they could find similar examples from both records). Also can't take into account form or injury too easily. The infrequency of fighters' activity is also a problem.

 

[Shocked Quartz]

I think back then computers were so mystical to most people that if you told them one could predict boxing matches then a lot would believe it.

True, they talk about that towards the end.

 

[GazOC]

Even common opponents in boxing can mean a lot or can mean next to nothing.

 

[Shocked Quartz]

Even common opponents in boxing can mean a lot or can mean next to nothing.

Styles make fights eh? Didn't Steve Bunce come up with that phrase?

 

[GazOC]

It predates Buncey Quartz, my Dad drummed that into into me over 30 years ago. Not sure who came up with the original saying but I'd guess it been around in some form or another since the start of fighting.