can a pair of big ripped calves help u to hit harder or is just a myth ? i mean guys like Martinez , Golovkin , Cotto or Ortiz don't have big calves like Pacquiao but are one of the hardest punchers of nowadays pro boxing !
The actual 2 muscle groups used to generate the most power in proven tests are.... The glutes.. (your ass puts a lot of strength transfer from a solid base through to your upperbody, and to continue the snap of a solid shot your triceps are the main muscle in your arm that help land a crisp power shot... Calves may add help to create a solid base or key to send your shot from.. stepping in with your punch...
you punch from our calves, so i'd say yes. They don't have to be big, but definitely explosive. I think logically they help more in snappy shots like jabs and straight. I dont think theyre needed as much in the cotto hook.
The legs work more than the arms when throwing a punch... (Yes I know this isn't entirely correct) Go and throw 50 uppercuts... If your legs don't feel it your doing it wrong. Your whole body is in action when throwing a punch and generating power.. so yes bigger calves may help... Help you explode into a punch. Then you see guys like Foreman... Doesn't even look like he is using his body.. all arms.. But really his whole body is at work.
My dad, an old school boxing junky and trainer said that all the power comes from the legs (speaking in boxing terms). He says leg strength gives out more amino acids to the body.
all in all you need a good strength for every part in your body to make everything work right. Then the rest is genetics
I always felt like I could generate force through mine and plant and push guys around, who often had difficult pushing me ... BUT ... mine cramped like a mother from only three round amateur fights when they were tough or i was stressed. Really big calves are a liability when things get tough, in my opinion, because the cramps are not easy to deal with.
Real power seems to come from something within that no training or muscles can give. They can help, however.