Frazier had never lifted weights no surprise he struggled. Big deal, could any of these guys beat him in a fight?
LOL, at least as far as the benefits being imported into boxing, no, that was not a good advertisement for lifting!
We need to set up a boxing tournament with Eliud Kipchoge, the Iranian Hulk, and a pair of third grade girls to determine whether weight training, running, or skipping rope is the most useless training method for boxing.
I’ve done/do weights. No expert by any means but as much I’ve gleaned - technique is so very important (as previously suggested) as is constant training. Ignore the weights for a week or two, and the weight you were previously curling with ease just 14 days prior now feels like it’s 20+ lbs heavier. Snooze on it, and it seems you quickly lose on it. Labouring on a worksite might be more likely to develop “real life” , generally applied functional strength, including conditioning of the all important stabilising muscles and development of equally important muscle stamina. For the sake of argument, how often, if ever, will the exact conditions of bench pressing present in real life in order for you to demonstrate your strength and exact execution in that regard? Lying under a car and playing “hydraulic lift” to help out with a tyre change maybe? Thats a bit of an exaggeration to make the point. I’ve helped out on worksites for exercise - holding heavy materials up and out for several mins at a time - omg, the pain…lol, unless a weight training program considerately took universal strength applications into account - prior gym work would only get you so far on a worksite - and it wouldn’t be too far at all. At a tangent, I like the films of Dempsey training “old school” with a manual, push mower. Anybody tried those? There’s a little bit of grunt involved. Maybe it should be re-incorporated into boxing training. ; )
nice post. Many years later but before their actual bout both Hagler and Hearns competed and did respectable. They even had a direct obstacle course finale that was well run and extremely close.
My monies on the third graders. Before even invoking the power of their skip rope, training, their unfiltered acerbic wit and school girl giggling at the Iran Hulk’s appearance could break him down mentally and bring him to his knees in tears. We also mustn’t forget the boxing friendly coordinated moves engendered by participation in Hop Scotch. The fertile ground that is schoolyard training just keeps giving. I personally developed terrific head movement when evading,( in true Neo, Matrix style), the piece of chalk pelted at me by various teachers for never shutting up in class. My subsequent laughter gave rise to a second chance shot by the teacher…oops, .missed again! (fact). Clearly, I was the ONE. LOL.
Boxer's were just not weight lifters especially in those days, Jerry Quarry lifted 210 lbs a month after pounding Shavers with zero technique. and Norton put up 220 lb. on his SS run. maybe boxer's record, Shavers and Weaver wer in SUPERSTARS as well
I think "nothing to do with making you a better fighter" may go a bit far. Frazier also performed poorly in the running events. But we still think roadwork is helpful. (http://www.thesuperstars.org/comp/73final.html)
Weightlifting helps many people be better at most all sports, including numerous fighters. It helpd with muscular strength, size, endurance, even coordination & stabilizing muscles-what kind of & how much benefit depends upon the program, nutrition, supplements-& unfortunately sometimes illegal PEDs. That Frazier could be great without it proves nothing about it being useless for the sport. It is basic logic that there are different ways to reach proficiency or attain a physical attribute or skill. So Frazier is one of many folks who attained enough strength & endurance absent lifting-& due to lack of technique & experience, his strength was not even represented fully in that lift. Who know if lifting would appreciably increase his ability-maybe at least a bit, although if he gained much muscle he likely sacrifices some endurance. Also folks vary genetically in what programs have what effect. Nearly 1/3 of folks have a gene that makes it more likely to retain muscle/not decline easily. That is separate from the continuum that is natural androgen levels, bone structure, proportion of muscle fiber types (there are a bunch)...And anatomical differences. So for example I long ago read that if you work out hard enough you should be able to maintain strength in that muscle with no decline for 7-10 days. So in say 2 weeks there should at least be no dramatic decline in strength. Although you need to work out more often to make appreciable gains... This always proved true for me, sometimes even longer away there is no loss-although it seems endurance, your power after initial sets, declines faster than initial absolute strength. Although some insist they lose a lot if they are out for even a week or two-they likely have different genetics. Just like some who are the same level of aerobic fitness as others get there faster/respond more immediately to cardio training. Genetics.
Kevin Rooney said while Tyson was with him, he never touched weights. If Prime Tyson didn't need it, none of us do
