Which boxer was consistently the best conditioned?

Sweet Science · 06-28-2007, 04:26 PM

These days it saddens me that many top level fighters tend to come to fight woefully ill prepared in terms of their conditioning, James Toney being an extreme example. However, alot of other fighters get to fight night in less than stellar shape especially to tune up fights citing reasons such as lack of motivation, underestimating their opponent etc.

However, on the opposite side of the coin there have been fighters who never underestimate anyone and always come prepared and in tip top condition.

I would say the clear standouts are Hopkins, Marciano and Holyfield who always came to fight in fantastic shape. However, if I had to pick the best consistently conditioned of the three I would pick Marciano. Most agree that he was the best conditioned heavyweight but I would say he was the best conditioned fighter in any weight. He was just plain sadistic in his training regime.

What do you guys think?

TBooze · 06-28-2007, 04:29 PM

Frank Bruno was never ever out of shape...

Although sometimes his conditioning did not help him.

Sweet Science · 06-28-2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Frank Bruno was never ever out of shape...

Although sometimes his conditioning did not help him.

Yes you are right TBooze, I can never remember Bruno ever looking out of shape, he had a tremendous physique. I always thought he was muscle bound though.

McGrain · 06-28-2007, 04:44 PM

Dick Tiger.

He had one fight where he may have been out of condition, V Bob Foster. Other than that he was always in top condition.

Had to be. A natural SMW if ever there was one, he boxed before that division exsisted.

enquirer · 06-28-2007, 04:48 PM

Are we talking being 'in shape' or stamina? I feel there is a difference...
For instance bruno was in better physical shape than tim witherspoon in their fight,but witherspoon had the better stamina,no?

pugilist_boyd · 06-28-2007, 04:52 PM

the rock # 1 but i never seen hagler tire in the few bouts i seen him in did he ?

Sweet Science · 06-28-2007, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Dick Tiger.

He had one fight where he may have been out of condition, V Bob Foster. Other than that he was always in top condition.

Had to be. A natural SMW if ever there was one, he boxed before that division exsisted.

I've heard a lot about Dick Tiger and his conditioning. I think it was Ron Lipton who always used to say he was the greatest physical specimen he ever saw, on account of his regular sparring sessions with him.

Sweet Science · 06-28-2007, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Are we talking being 'in shape' or stamina? I feel there is a difference...
For instance bruno was in better physical shape than tim witherspoon in their fight,but witherspoon had the better stamina,no?

Sorry Enquirer, allow me to clarify, I mean 'in shape'.

McGrain · 06-28-2007, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Science

I've heard a lot about Dick Tiger and his conditioning. I think it was Ron Lipton who always used to say he was the greatest physical specimen he ever saw, on account of his regular sparring sessions with him.

Yes, I've heard that too.

Tiger had incredible natural stamina, perhaps second to none.

This contributed to his longevity and made him able to train like an animal to get his thick frame down to 160.

enquirer · 06-28-2007, 05:03 PM

Ok....I would say marvin hagler of the boxers i saw live. Came in at 158 and a half in his final fight of a long tough career exclusively conducted at middleweight...Never heard of him boxing out of less than optimal shape in his championship reign...
(I wonder if folks know if he ever had to get on the scales more than once in order to make weight?)

rayrayv123 · 06-28-2007, 05:16 PM

RJJ?

Floyd no doubt.

Darthmage · 06-28-2007, 05:31 PM

Basilio, Marciano, Hagler, Monzon, Floyd, Hopkins... All those guys were or are always in tip-top shape. Im sure I have missed a lot of boxers sharing the same quality.

Sweet Science · 06-28-2007, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Basilio, Marciano, Hagler, Monzon, Floyd, Hopkins... All those guys were or are always in tip-top shape. Im sure I have missed a lot of boxers sharing the same quality.

But if you had to pick just one, who would it be?

josak · 06-28-2007, 06:19 PM

Based on my limited boxing knowledge (compared to some of you) I'd have to go with Tyson. He was an incredible, physical specimen in his prime. Great stamina, great build.

Vantage_West · 06-28-2007, 07:19 PM

tommy hearns anyone.
he actually over conditioned for hagler and had a casual 4 mile run to warm up which tired out his legs...thats more conditioned than most

and even in light heavy he was still a really toned well develpoed athlete

06-28-2007, 04:26 PM	#1
Sweet Science Peaceful Muslim Warrior ESB Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Manchester England Posts: 558 vCash: 1000	Which boxer was consistently the best conditioned? These days it saddens me that many top level fighters tend to come to fight woefully ill prepared in terms of their conditioning, James Toney being an extreme example. However, alot of other fighters get to fight night in less than stellar shape especially to tune up fights citing reasons such as lack of motivation, underestimating their opponent etc. However, on the opposite side of the coin there have been fighters who never underestimate anyone and always come prepared and in tip top condition. I would say the clear standouts are Hopkins, Marciano and Holyfield who always came to fight in fantastic shape. However, if I had to pick the best consistently conditioned of the three I would pick Marciano. Most agree that he was the best conditioned heavyweight but I would say he was the best conditioned fighter in any weight. He was just plain sadistic in his training regime. What do you guys think?
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06-28-2007, 04:29 PM	#2
TBooze Champion East Side Guru Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South of London Posts: 9,787 vCash: 708	Re: Which boxer was consistently the best conditioned? Frank Bruno was never ever out of shape... Although sometimes his conditioning did not help him.
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06-28-2007, 04:44 PM	#4
McGrain Diamond Dog East Side VIP Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 34,759 vCash: 1000	Re: Which boxer was consistently the best conditioned? Dick Tiger. He had one fight where he may have been out of condition, V Bob Foster. Other than that he was always in top condition. Had to be. A natural SMW if ever there was one, he boxed before that division exsisted.
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06-28-2007, 04:48 PM	#5
enquirer Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,604 vCash: 1000	Re: Which boxer was consistently the best conditioned? Are we talking being 'in shape' or stamina? I feel there is a difference... For instance bruno was in better physical shape than tim witherspoon in their fight,but witherspoon had the better stamina,no?
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06-28-2007, 04:52 PM	#6
pugilist_boyd BUSTED UP PUG ESB Full Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: missouri,usa Posts: 412 vCash: 1000	Re: Which boxer was consistently the best conditioned? the rock # 1 but i never seen hagler tire in the few bouts i seen him in did he ?
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06-28-2007, 05:03 PM	#10
enquirer Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,604 vCash: 1000	Re: Which boxer was consistently the best conditioned? Ok....I would say marvin hagler of the boxers i saw live. Came in at 158 and a half in his final fight of a long tough career exclusively conducted at middleweight...Never heard of him boxing out of less than optimal shape in his championship reign... (I wonder if folks know if he ever had to get on the scales more than once in order to make weight?)
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06-28-2007, 05:16 PM	#11
rayrayv123 Contender ESB Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 631 vCash: 8540	Re: Which boxer was consistently the best conditioned? RJJ? Floyd no doubt.
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06-28-2007, 05:31 PM	#12
Darthmage SILENCE! I KEEL J00! ESB Full Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Miami Florida Posts: 434 vCash: 1000	Re: Which boxer was consistently the best conditioned? Basilio, Marciano, Hagler, Monzon, Floyd, Hopkins... All those guys were or are always in tip-top shape. Im sure I have missed a lot of boxers sharing the same quality.
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06-28-2007, 06:19 PM	#14
josak Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,511 vCash: 1000	Re: Which boxer was consistently the best conditioned? Based on my limited boxing knowledge (compared to some of you) I'd have to go with Tyson. He was an incredible, physical specimen in his prime. Great stamina, great build. Last edited by josak; 06-28-2007 at 06:47 PM.
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06-28-2007, 07:19 PM	#15
Vantage_West ヒップホップ·プロデューサー East Side Guru Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 黒人文化の恋人のサンプリ Posts: 9,994 vCash: 1500	Re: Which boxer was consistently the best conditioned? tommy hearns anyone. he actually over conditioned for hagler and had a casual 4 mile run to warm up which tired out his legs...thats more conditioned than most and even in light heavy he was still a really toned well develpoed athlete
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