Best Height and Weight for a Heavyweight

[TarkanX]

I think that somewhere between 5'10" - 6'6" and 185 - 250 is a good size (varying by body type), with the ideal range being between 6'1" - 6'4" and 200 - 225 pounds (which is where a majority of the all-time greats stand). Obviously, there are exceptions, but if you are at an a certain size and weight and the extreme end (too short/tall/small/heavy), then you will be giving up something important, such as conditioning, coordination, size, speed, etc.

[dempseyfire]

Well, that's quite a range you have, ha.

I'd say the ideal HW is usually between 6'-6'3 and weighs around anywhere from 190-220.

Louis, Ali, Johnson, Dempsey, Holmes, Liston, Jefferies etc. were all within that range.

[TarkanX]

I put the 250, because Lennox Lewis was at 245 in his prime, though he would probably be considered an oddity. There were some good boxers that were about 6'6", but as far as All-Time Greats, I don't think there were any that were that tall (Bowe and Lewis were about 6'5").

[Panzerfaust]

6'' to 6'3'' and 190-220lbs IMO

[crusader]

I would say about 6'3-6'4 with a weight of around 225. At this size, a fighter is big enough to seriously hurt and easily get within range of the so-called 'giants', but they are still able to maintain a fair deal of speed and coordination. Of course there are exceptions, but I think when fighters start getting too tall and heavy, it negatively affects their speed and technique.

[TarkanX]

Adding on to the topic, I have another question. Does lesser rounds benefit heavier fighters? Does the decrease from 15 to 12 rounds have a correlation with the weight increase from the early 80s on up?

[iamasadlittleboy]

6'4''-6'7''
230-250

The likes of Louis would really struggle against the likes of Vitali and Lennox just due to the size

[Panzerfaust]

6'4''-6'7''
230-250

The likes of Louis would really struggle against the likes of Vitali and Lennox just due to the size

Watch Joe Louis vs Abe Simon. Simon was not as skilled as Lennox or Vitali but he was 6,4 and 255lbs. So just the size didnt matter.
Or Tommy Loughran outpointing then unbeaten Ray Impellitieri who stood 6,7 and weighed 255lbs etc etc
There was a reason they didnt make that dreadnought division.

[iamasadlittleboy]

6'4''-6'7''
230-250

The likes of Louis would really struggle against the likes of Vitali and Lennox just due to the size

Watch Joe Louis vs Abe Simon. Simon was not as skilled as Lennox or Vitali but he was 6,4 and 255lbs. So just the size didnt matter.
Or Tommy Loughran outpointing then unbeaten Ray Impellitieri who stood 6,7 and weighed 255lbs etc etc
There was a reason they didnt make that dreadnought division.

Size and their talent, then. I personally regard Louis as the greatest heavyweight, but feel against the more recent champions he'd have been demolished. Can you see him getting past the jab of Lennox or Vitali?

[Panzerfaust]

6'4''-6'7''
230-250

The likes of Louis would really struggle against the likes of Vitali and Lennox just due to the size

Watch Joe Louis vs Abe Simon. Simon was not as skilled as Lennox or Vitali but he was 6,4 and 255lbs. So just the size didnt matter.
Or Tommy Loughran outpointing then unbeaten Ray Impellitieri who stood 6,7 and weighed 255lbs etc etc
There was a reason they didnt make that dreadnought division.

Size and their talent, then. I personally regard Louis as the greatest heavyweight, but feel against the more recent champions he'd have been demolished. Can you see him getting past the jab of Lennox or Vitali?

Joe Louis was 6,2 , Lennox 6,5 so definatly yes. If a 45 year old Holyfield(though he didnt get the decision) aswell as Chagev could beat (a not very good)Valuev
Dont you think the gapp in skills between a prime Louis and chagaev/45yo Evander is just as big as between Vitali and Valuev or Lennox and Valuev?

[iamasadlittleboy]

Watch Joe Louis vs Abe Simon. Simon was not as skilled as Lennox or Vitali but he was 6,4 and 255lbs. So just the size didnt matter.
Or Tommy Loughran outpointing then unbeaten Ray Impellitieri who stood 6,7 and weighed 255lbs etc etc
There was a reason they didnt make that dreadnought division.

Size and their talent, then. I personally regard Louis as the greatest heavyweight, but feel against the more recent champions he'd have been demolished. Can you see him getting past the jab of Lennox or Vitali?

Joe Louis was 6,2 , Lennox 6,5 so definatly yes. If a 45 year old Holyfield(though he didnt get the decision) aswell as Chagev could beat (a not very good)Valuev
Dont you think the gapp in skills between a prime Louis and chagaev/45yo Evander is just as big as between Vitali and Valuev or Lennox and Valuev?

Not sure what your asking tbh. Valuev was incredibly clumsy, slow and not very good, he was as far as I'm concerned a paper champion who did little to warrant his title. Louis would very likely have beaten him.

The size I gave is what I think a well trained in shape, talented heavyweight would be best at, at the moment. I do believe that in 50 years we'll be looking at 6'7''-6'11'' guys being the norm weighing 260-280 due to diet and the such. It's natural progression.

I don't think Louis' talent or Ali's could compensate against guys like Lennox, who weren't stupid or slow and combined power, speed, movement and intelligence well together.

[Panzerfaust]

The point i was trying to make was that i think the difference in skill between a Louis and a 45yo Evander or Chagaev is bigger/equal to the difference in ability between Valuev and Vitali/Lennox.(i am not saying Valuev are anywhere close to Lewis/Vitali)
Thuss Lennox would not have a huge height advantage over Louis/Ali . Vitali a little more

Louis/Ali would have found a way using their superior talent to win, No doubt in my mind (so guess we disagree on that)
These big guys are not as coordinated either.

[iamasadlittleboy]

Holyfield was about the same size as Louis and Ali is what your getting at right?
Holyfield was also beaten quite clearly by Lewis who was co-ordinated, as well as height the reach would be key. Louis was explosive but flawed, could be dropped and hurt, Vitali and Lennox would both know that.

Their is only a very very small number of genuinely good big heavy's your right there, look at the flailing giants such as Fields, Long, Williard and Carnera, but the genuinely talented bigger heavies are hard to beat due to their natural size and talent.

[crusader]

I'm not sure if we will ever see many guys who are 6'11. There is a limit to human growth. Also, it seems people's diets are getting worse with the ubiquity of fast food and similar indulgences.

If all else is equal, than bigger is better. A very big man with skill and talent will be extremely tough to beat and will always have the advantage over a smaller man who possesses the same abilities. However, most fighters I have seen that can be considered giants are significantly lacking in skill and speed, which prevents them from having major success. I think a fighter who is around 6'4 230 can still maintain speed, technique, and of course any man that size can hurt their opponent, even if they are a giant.

[Panzerfaust]

A good big man beats a good smaller man, no arguement there. But Lewis/Vitali are not in the league of Louis/ Ali, hence their size takes a back seat. And i doubt there will be any ''giants'' that could still maintain the talent/coordination etc of the smaller men.

Louis would not be the only flawed fighter in those fantasy matchups.