Thought on Size

bollox · Post by **bollox** » 12 Jun 2005, 08:15

Optimum HW size? 215 - 220. thank you

tiredoldngrey · Post by **tiredoldngrey** » 12 Jun 2005, 11:02

Today's fighters may be able to lift more weight, sprint faster, have more sculpted bodies, what ever than their predecessors. Irrelevant. They are not in "fighting shape" because for the most part these conditioning wonks are not boxing people and being in shape to run 10,000 meters, or compete in track and field or body building is not the same as being in shape to fight with Ruben Olivares for 45 minutes. Remember when the trainer ran the camp? From food served to sparring to how many rounds to work to what a boxer should weighon a day to day basis as a fight approached, the trainer was responsible for his boxer's well being. Now, he's a damned after thought scrambling for attention with nutritionists, strength and conditioning coaches and who ever else. I'd be impressed if I saw fighters with greater stamina but I don't, nor more with faster or harder or more effective punches, or better defensive skills. I do see lots of overly muscular, stiff arm punchers with their chins in the air getting winded after every exchange.

zslayton · Post by **zslayton** » 14 Jun 2005, 19:31

Exercise and Supplement Science has evolved so much it is just not something that can be debated.

This is the way I look at it. With the exception of a select few modern fighters (mid 90's Holyfield for example) todays guys are not near as tough, durable, or resilient as the old school guys. Heart is a big thing too. The old school guys all seemed to have loads of heart while only a few of today's guys have that.

I do agree that the guys of today are bigger, faster, and stronger, but I don't think they are as hungry as the old school guys.

I hate when people pump the old school guys like they are the greatest fighters of all time because many of the guys who came after them are better, but the stuff I said above is what I think makes the old guys a little better.

I still think, no matter what size, Joe Louis beats every body from any era. Marciano beats most of them, so does Walcott, Liston, Charles, Holyfield, Tyson, Foreman, etc you get the point. The great ones win no matter what era unless they have to fight a great one that is greater than them.

zojo · Post by **zojo** » 14 Jun 2005, 21:34

tiredoldngrey wrote:Today's fighters may be able to lift more weight, sprint faster, have more sculpted bodies, what ever than their predecessors. Irrelevant. They are not in "fighting shape" because for the most part these conditioning wonks are not boxing people and being in shape to run 10,000 meters, or compete in track and field or body building is not the same as being in shape to fight with Ruben Olivares for 45 minutes. Remember when the trainer ran the camp? From food served to sparring to how many rounds to work to what a boxer should weighon a day to day basis as a fight approached, the trainer was responsible for his boxer's well being. Now, he's a damned after thought scrambling for attention with nutritionists, strength and conditioning coaches and who ever else. I'd be impressed if I saw fighters with greater stamina but I don't, nor more with faster or harder or more effective punches, or better defensive skills. I do see lots of overly muscular, stiff arm punchers with their chins in the air getting winded after every exchange.

I liked your bit about "remember when the trainer ran the camp?". It is so true!

Last week Fenech stated "Tyson's the boss" Huh? Since when does the coach take a back seat to the person he/she is teaching?

Can you see John Wooden, Vince Lombardi, Joe Torre, or Dan Gable (sorry that they are all American coaches) walking into a traing camp and saying "OK guys, you're in charge....what do you want to do today"

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