Could a 5'9 boxer compete with today’s heavyweight boxing top contenders?

Ever heard of Andy Ruiz?

He's 5'10" according to people who know him and just beat a 6'6 fellow.

 

Yes it is if you've actually fought guys 6'2 and or are shorter then 6'0 fighting guys where the same height disappears which change the entire fight. . Anyone whos boxed knows the distance which would make a more difficult fight while its not OVERLY different on paper it is when you have to time your punches better bc the target is further away . Its an entire different ball game if someone is 6'0 boxing a guy 6'2 / 6'3 . The only thing that helps a shorter guy is if he has decent arm length for his proportion but height is still an advantage if its used correctly .

The trajectories change when you head north of 6'2 at HW its why its not advised a fighter around or under 6'0 goes to HW these days . Ruiz has to bc genetically he has fat genes ( not JEANS ) and has a wealth of experience and skills ,others wont and others will be in serious trouble if they cant take heavy shots either .

 

220lbs at 5'10 with abs showing?

I smell roids.

 

Ruiz is at least 6'1" or 6'2"

But Tua or Tyson today could still beat most big HWs.

 

no

 

I met Tyson in '87 at a friend's house, I am 6'2", I would definitely put Tyson at 5'11".

 

He's 5'9 and those extra 2 inches were from his aura

 

"You wanna be the husband........or the wife?"

 

My friend called at around 11 one night and said Mike Tyson was at her house. He had sent me a signed HBO poster through her previously. I went over and we shook hands and engaged in some small talk, he signed one of my gloves. I jokingly asked him when he was going to fight the "real" Heavyweight Champion "Tony Tucker " he laughed and said later later that summer. When I was leaving he said catch you later shook my hand again and did some playful infighting and that was it.

 

I'd say it more has to do with having footspeed than long arms. Tyson didn't have long arms but he could get inside quickly and rattle off fast combos. It's why I think he'd have more success against taller fighters than say a James Toney or David Tua who are basically flat-footed fighters.

 

Is there a 5'9 fighter today who could compete with todays heavyweight contenders, not as far as i am aware.

Could there be one in the future, i guess yes there could, they would have to be a phenom but heavyweight boxing has evolved and is much less USA centric, so there could be lurking someplace in Eastern Europe a sheer freak of a beast who "Eats lightning and craps thunder".