Do Fighters in the Higher Weight Classes hit there Prime

[Cotto16]

Later than fighters in the lower weight class? like fighters from lightheavyweight to heavyweight will they hit there prime later than featherweights and welters?

[JC]

Generally speaking that is the recieved wisdom yes. But there are exceptions such as Mike Tyson.

[winkveron]

Seems to be the case. Anyone got any theories as to why?

[stujones]

Could be a speed thing, dulling of reaction times with age isn't as vital for the bigger men who are slower anyway.

Of course in Athletics - the older you get the more likely you are to move up in distance and you lose that speed. So, whilst I haven't read any studies (well haven't searched, not saying there are no studies) I wonder if it is to do with the aging process of fast twitch muscle fibres.

It could also be because people in the lower weights tend to throw more, but less concussive, shots than the big men.... could it do with punch absorption - in sparring and in the ring. The little men are more likely to take more shots than the big men who throw less per fight.

[wrimc]

Before Usain Bolt 100m runners were generally thought to come into their prime late 20s so might not be the case with the fast twitch

[warmachine]

for the lighter weight boxers they come into their prime earlier because of the weight making process. it drains alot of boxers, especially the ones who dont do it right or yo,yo up and down in weight.