The Five Most Dangerous Words in Boxing: “He’s Past His Prime”

No one gets it right all the time in boxing, even us, but there are some sayings that must come with caution in the sweet science as the sport excels to new heights soon.

What is a prime for a boxer really?

It is supposed to be the best years of his life and sporting career where he does the most in the ring and fights the best.

But this is different for everyone.

For some like Mike Tyson, it was when he was 20 years old.

For others like Lennox Lewis it was his late thirties.

The Five Most Dangerous Words in Boxing: “He’s Past His Prime”

For some they even find a new lease of life in their early forties, start looking after themselves better than they ever did in their lives, and actually perform physically
better than they ever did in their whole lives.

Nonito Donaire and Manny Pacquiao both well into their 40s and mid forties with the latter in 2025 competed at the very highest and really won (although Pacquiao’s fight was scored a draw) at the highest level of the most demanding sport of them all.

Professional boxing — world championship level.

So when you hear someone saying he’s past his prime — take it with a pinch of salt.

On Nonito Donaire by the way, he was meant to fight on the Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis card.

Instead he’ll fight Seiya Tsutsumi on December 17 in Tokyo for the WBA interim bantamweight title.