Is Anthony Joshua TOO big?

[ElJefe]

The comparisons between AJ and Bruno, often made due to both of their physiques got me wondering about how AJ weighs up (literally) with other Heavyweights.

Anthony Joshua has weighed in at 248lb for his last 2 fights, he's only 25.

Lennox Lewis first won the British title in 1990, aged 25, and weighed 227lb. He didn't end up in the 245lb region until he was 30+.

Frank Bruno weighed in at 228lb when he first challenged for the world title at 25. Again Bruno didn't reach the 245lb mark until he was well into his 30's.

Then again Wladimir Klitschko weighed 246lb for his 2nd title defence in 2001, also at the age of 25, which is heavier than he was for his most recent fight, at 39.

He's already 18-20lbs heavier than he was in his first few fights. Not criticising him as it's not a topic I know anything about, I'm genuinely interested to see whether people think that there's a chance that Joshua is too big, considering how other heavyweights have got so much heavier as they've got older? Is it a case of everyone developing differently? Or is it completely irrelevant to his in ring performance?

[Crazyboy]

He's very big, strong and athletic for sure but it doesn't seem to be hindering him so far eh!

Especially in this day and age I'm guessing he is taking good advice on all aspects from his strength training and also his nutrition as well

I think you are right, everyone is different.

[danamba7]

I believe AJ will live up to the hype but I also think he could do with trimming a little bit of muscle. His speed still seems to be there at the moment but I worry about stamina issues. Wonder if anyone on here knows much about his sparring and whether he can do 12 rounds easy in the gym??

[Syntax Error]

I can see your point & I also agree that I'm not a fan of him muscling up & weighing in massively, but he is a much bigger man than Frank Bruno naturally.

He's marginally bigger than Lewis too,so he probably a bit more more comfortable being heavier, but I am in agreement that I hope he doesn't add too much more muscle & weight, because he will not have the stamina when he needs it.

[Sklar]

Imagine how big he'd be if he concentrated on bodybuilding and took PEDS and what not. He'd be like a six and a half foot Ronnie Coleman.

[Tomasino]

Imagine how big he'd be if he concentrated on bodybuilding and took PEDS and what not. He'd be like a six and a half foot Ronnie Coleman.

Is there any money in that game? I've spoken to some massive types in the gyms and it seems they just spend loads on PEDs and food simply to be big, when it's all over they are skint, depressed, sexually dysfunctional fat boys...

[Stuarty]

I've heard this used as a negative a few times now. I am not so sure to be honest. He is still quick and does it all naturally so I don't think we will find out until someone takes him a few rounds and lands a couple of shots. i wouldn't mind his physique instead of my dad belly

[Stuarty]

Imagine how big he'd be if he concentrated on bodybuilding and took PEDS and what not. He'd be like a six and a half foot Ronnie Coleman.

Is there any money in that game? I've spoken to some massive types in the gyms and it seems they just spend loads on PEDs and food simply to be big, when it's all over they are skint, depressed, sexually dysfunctional fat boys...

That's how it seems to me too. I'm afraid I've not come across too may thinking men past their mid-20s that are into serious bodybuilding.

My mate is an ex pro and does bodybuilding (all natural) and he says the gym sometimes is frightening! Folk walking around tuned to the moon because of all the crap they are taking!

[Tomasino]

Some guys are taking over a gram of test and tren a week at the roiders gym near me. They look and act ridiculous, all so they can paint bronze on themselves and tense up on stage at a sports centre or ice rink

[MightyWarrior]

I would say yes. Can't think of any really good muscle bound heavyweights...?

[danamba7]

I've heard this used as a negative a few times now. I am not so sure to be honest. He is still quick and does it all naturally so I don't think we will find out until someone takes him a few rounds and lands a couple of shots. i wouldn't mind his physique instead of my dad belly

Dad bods are in mate thanks to Di Caprio.

[Stuarty]

I would say yes. Can't think of any really good muscle bound heavyweights...?

Wlad?

[Stuarty]

I've heard this used as a negative a few times now. I am not so sure to be honest. He is still quick and does it all naturally so I don't think we will find out until someone takes him a few rounds and lands a couple of shots. i wouldn't mind his physique instead of my dad belly

Dad bods are in mate thanks to Di Caprio.

Tell that to my Mrs

[danamba7]

Wlad is huge!

[Sklar]

Imagine how big he'd be if he concentrated on bodybuilding and took PEDS and what not. He'd be like a six and a half foot Ronnie Coleman.

Is there any money in that game? I've spoken to some massive types in the gyms and it seems they just spend loads on PEDs and food simply to be big, when it's all over they are skint, depressed, sexually dysfunctional fat boys...

I wasn't coming at it from a commercial angle, it was more a statement of anthropological fascination. Joshua has fantastic genetics for building muscle. Bodybuilding, like athletics actually, is a sport that misses out on potential world beaters to better paid sports.

That photo with Wlad (above) is somewhat deceptive due to perspective. Fury is huge, his frame is massive.

[Benelio]

Imagine how big he'd be if he concentrated on bodybuilding and took PEDS and what not.

What do you mean 'if''?

[Emmseegee]

Agreed that too much muscle could slow him down and reduce his stamina but its also good too see a heavyweight who actually trains and diets well (even if it is for muscle growth) instead of using the division as an invitation to be lazy and get as fat as f**k.

[Tomasino]

Agreed that too much muscle could slow him down and reduce his stamina but its also good too see a heavyweight who actually trains and diets well (even if it is for muscle growth) instead of using the division as an invitation to be lazy and get as fat as f**k.

Very true!

[Andrew]

Imagine how big he'd be if he concentrated on bodybuilding and took PEDS and what not. He'd be like a six and a half foot Ronnie Coleman.

Is there any money in that game? I've spoken to some massive types in the gyms and it seems they just spend loads on PEDs and food simply to be big, when it's all over they are skint, depressed, sexually dysfunctional fat boys...

Probably at the very top, Mr Olympia winnings last year were $275,000 but that could give you the potential for big endorsements tv appearances etc

[tony1234]

It will be interesting to see what happens when Joshua has his Jumbo Cummings moment

[freddydoesdallas]

It will be interesting to see what happens when Joshua has his Jumbo Cummings moment

Is he going into porn???

[black panther]

There was an excellent poster called "Phenominal Nutrition" who used to post here frequently.

He'd be able to give a good analysis of the pro's and cons of adding 20lbs of muscle in such a short timespan.

[Tuan_Jim]

Lewis went up in weight and mass around 30 when he hired Manny Steward. I remember Boxing Monthly expressing concern about his expanding dimensions. It didn't do him any favours when the beer barrel Ray Mercer swallowed his shots, hammered his face with jabs and drew him into a punchup. I recall Lewis desperately needing to take the 10th and being outworked by a 36 year old with a history of fitness shortcomings. And then there was Zeljko Mavrovic, in the early throes of a wasting disease, who set a torrid pace which had Lewis gasping for life.

But I look at the scene now, in 2015, and wonder who could make anyone pay for being a muscleman? I don't see anyone. Who can make someone pay for being grossly overweight? Wlad, again and again and again, and him a frail muscleman who has adapted his style to matador these cumbersome brutes with minimum exertion.

I think Joshua's bulk could cost him in a gruelling fight, but I don't see a creature stalking the wasteland who can draw him into such.

[Sklar]

Plus, think of the damage the bodybuilding 'lifestyle' will inflict upon you. You know, is it worth it?

Anybody who has aspirations of high-level competitive success in bodybuilding knows that what they are doing is likely to cause them problems down the line, but doesn't that apply to most sports and or obsessions? I know plenty of 40-year-old ex-rugby players who are physical wrecks and only a very loose handful of those played in what is or was equivalent to the Premiership and Championship, most were down in the regional leagues and earning nothing.

Seeing what you're physically capable of is, to some, worth the consequences.

For non-competitive, non-drug using exercisers, I think bodybuilding has far more long-term positives than negatives.

[Sklar]

... then there was Zeljko Mavrovic, in the early throes of a wasting disease, who set a torrid pace which had Lewis gasping for life.

Mavrovic was game but I think you're overselling his performance. Lennox won almost every round and was never in any real trouble.