how much difference does 1 pound make in boxing?

[lufcrazy]

I've never boxed so I don't really have a clue here. But lets say for example two men sign to fight at WW. The bigger man fails to make weight and comes in at 148 whilst the other man is under the 147 limit.

How much of an advantage does that extra pound give?

[McGrain]

None in a literal sense. But the last three or four pounds are the hardest to get off. So if you're training like a bastard to get the last one off and the other dude goes to bed, that might represent an advantage.

[PowerPuncher]

How longs a piece of string, there are other factors:

1. Did the fighter who didn't make weight, simply not drain himself as much? Or did he drain himself more, who was the more drained?
2. Did he not make 147 because fully hydrated he's 165lbs and his 147lb opponent is only 147lbs fully hydrated? If so he has a big advantage once he rehydrates if he hydrates himself properly
3. How well can he use his physical advantages?

[lufcrazy]

I figured it'd be a multitude of factors that lead to the answer which is what I was beginning to think.

I was very simplistic previously when considering this and I assumed that the difference couldn't be that great but then I thought back to the Rios v Murray fight and how small and feeble Murray looked in comparison.

it isn't fair to say Rios was a better LW that night because the advantage was surely significant.

[NoNeck]

It matters a lot for strawweights and makes no difference for heavyweights.

[lufcrazy]

Originally Posted by NoNeck

It matters a lot for strawweights and makes no difference for heavyweights.

I reckon it's significant up until lhw but I am sure someone can tell me if I'm on the money or not.

[anj]

When I gain or lose 3lbs, it doesn't really seem like I'm sacrificing so much strength like someone like Erik Morales feels if he loses 3lbs...

I just don't understand why something as pathetic as 3lbs makes a lot of difference...

[NoNeck]

Originally Posted by anj

When I gain or lose 3lbs, it doesn't really seem like I'm sacrificing so much strength like someone like Erik Morales feels if he loses 3lbs...

I just don't understand why something as pathetic as 3lbs makes a lot of difference...

It's not the amount of weight. It's that there's nothing left to lose. The first 10 or 15 pounds can be easier than the last 3.

[MagnaNasakki]

The lower your weight, and the more drawn you already are, the more it matters.

For a light heavyweight, who walks around at 180-185? It represents literally nothing. An hour on in the sauna, or just an extra mile a day for a handful of days. Can even be shaved off by skipping that favorite dessert for a week.

For a 118 pounded who should be fighting several weight classes higher and dies to make that weight? Well, I daresay the trip from 119 to 118 is hellish, and lengthy.

[thistle1]

up to 6 or 7 lbs isn't much to shift or take on and concede that weight to an opponent, especially given 2,3 or 4 months to make it. but in a short span it can kill you...

but typically a few pounds either way is no big deal!

[MagnaNasakki]

Originally Posted by NoNeck

It's not the amount of weight. It's that there's nothing left to lose. The first 10 or 15 pounds can be easier than the last 3.

This is the perfect way to describe it.

If you have it to lose, either in body fat or water, a single pound is literally nothing at all.

If you are already dry as a bone, and your ribs are visible, you are going to seriously diminish yourself shaving it. Seriously. I say a junior lightweight spitting into a trash can once before a weigh in desperately trying to get that last bit of moisture out. He was a 17 year old amateur. It was horrifying.

[lufcrazy]

Yeah I don't think it's as relevant in non title fights but when the championship is on the line, fighters can kill themselves draining down and that does make a difference.

So it's not so much the weight as it is the implications of having to lose that weight. I think my question has been answered

[MAG1965]

in some fights it means everything. Hearns when he fought Leonard in 1981 was 145. Had he been 146, crazy as it sounds it might have given him the energy to make it to 15 rounds. I am not sure of it, but in situations like that it might mean a round or two. Even Hagler being 158 for Leonard in the rematch. A pound might have given him one or two more rounds.

[PowerPuncher]

Originally Posted by MAG1965

in some fights it means everything. Hearns when he fought Leonard in 1981 was 145. Had he been 146, crazy as it sounds it might have given him the energy to make it to 15 rounds. I am not sure of it, but in situations like that it might mean a round or two. Even Hagler being 158 for Leonard in the rematch. A pound might have given him one or two more rounds.

Wish I saw that one

[MAG1965]

Originally Posted by PowerPuncher

Wish I saw that one

It would have been great. I think Leonard knows an angry Hagler was not as easy to beat. He was not going to fight Hagler again. Although Hearns wanted Hagler still and they almost made that for April of 1988 after Hearns beat Roldan. But back to Leoanrd, Had they signed that fight and had it been 9 months after the first fight, Hagler would have won by late round stoppage. But the way superfights go and Leonard, it would have been another year, and Hagler was not fighting as well when he had one fight a year.