Tale of the tape. What measurement or numbers are most relevant?

You just don't see many 5'9" or shorter talents these days at middle, super middle, light heavy, cruiser, or heavy. So in a modern setting you could say height and reach are the most important. Age these days is less important. It used to be more important pre 1990.

 

Girth.

 

Height doesn't matter to an extent, though 5-9 at heavy would be ridicules. I would say as log as you are over 6 foot at heavy you have a decent chance, as long as your inside game is good against taller fighters. Weight at heavy, however, is a huge deal, and a lot of the modern "super heavyweights" have an advantage over the shorter guys. They are able to pack on 30 or so more pounds and not look bulky at all. They maintain their flexibity, and perhaps get better speed.

 

Yeah. ***** size. Mustache girth. Ass to hip ratio. Scrotal volume. Pectoral depth.

In that order.

 

Obviously it's numbers that matter the most, meaning weight if your a middleweight your not going to get in the ring with anybody that's 180 lbs, ask Joey Gamanche..
Height is over-rated, it doesn't do any good to be tall if your weak and have no skills..
Young Tyson in the 80's was short but beat up bigger guys because he had the skills, same with Hagler...

 

Geez, not sure where this thread is headed...

 

I do not think height is over rated. The taller you are the more the shorter opponent has to arch upward to hit your head.

As you reach upward past the shoulder length, what I like to refer to as striking distance shortens!

 

According to the tale of the tape

Antonio Tarver has a considerable size advantage over Lennox Lewis..that is all you need to know.

 

Does he? In what area? Can't think of one.

 

Per tale of the tape measurements:

Lewis/Tarver

Normal Chest: 44"/45"
Expanded Chest: 46"/48"
Thigh: 26"/29.5"
Waist: 34"/35"

The rest they are rougly equal in. I don't doubt the measurements are accurate but one has to consider how peak muscle size doesn't really give the whole story on bulk. Height/Weight/Reach are another matter, I'm talking about the muscle measurements that get thrown around on these boards, they mean nothing.

 

So Tarver who fought 45-50 pounds less than Lewis has bigger legs, a bigger waist and a bigger chest? Not buying it.

Part of the problem with the tale of the tape is they vary according to the source and are seldom done in public.

 

I don't think it makes any difference really, maybe a huge difference in height. Imagine Pascual Perez for example in with Panama Al Brown.

 

-That's kind of my point.

-Those measurements are consistent throughout their career, but who knows.