Is David Tua actually 5'10? Any other heavyweights listed as taller than their height?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by dmt, May 2, 2026.


  1. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    for anyone who has met boxers, have you seen their heights be exxagerated?

    I have heard rumours that Tua is actually 5'8 but i find it hard to believe someone that short can have success at heavyweight?
     
  2. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Lamon Brewster wasn’t very tall in person.
     
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  3. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    As someone who has read through an embarrassing amount of celebrityheights threads, I would say it gets very convoluted with different footwear, out-of-bed heights, athletes who have had a lot of injuries and wear and tear, might stand with deceptive posture, get their pictures taken with outlandish height liars in entertainment, have "official" measurements taken while not barefoot, all kinds of things. Also, appearances of different builds can make people just plainly look like they'd be taller or shorter than they are, as can skull size which is disproportionate. Some guys who are 5'8 have skulls that you'd think were on 6'0+ men and vice versa. Also their own changes in weight and musculature over the years can be deceptive. I remember George Foreman adamantly saying Joe Frazier never saw 5'10 or 5'11 a day in his life or something like that, which I disagreed with but he seemed to confidently proclaim. A lot of people don't think Tyson was as tall as his already shorter listed height.

    But some of these guys really might have gotten measurements and lingered just a bit with their growing after the fact instead. To the opposite of your thread, Wladimir has multiple times said he is 6'5. I think it was Jefferson's people that said if he was 6'6 he was the tallest 6'6 they'd ever seen, curiously. Wlad, I believe is exactly 6'6.6 and either downplayed, or just wasn't used to going by inches and got his own height wrong, or rounded down. I's curious. Regardless, I've seen this about Frazier and Tyson, for sure. And Haye, I've seen suggested is more of a 6'2 than a 6'3, and maybe even a 6'1. I think he's 6'2 and enough change. I was always suspicious of Chagaev's height. But keep in mind all the shorter titlists and top contenders will look smaller than they are, often due to fighting positions/stances. When you see someone like Holyfield next to Lennox it's one thing but when you see him with a bunch of normies like Regis Philbin, he's clearly huge.
     
  4. MixedMartialLaw

    MixedMartialLaw Combat sports enthusiast Full Member

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    Fury is notoriously over listed at 6'9".

    Anytime he's up against a taller opponent you can tell he's likely a hair above 6'7" really.
     
  5. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    I been around Mike Tyson twice, close by, and for more than a few minutes, in the 1990's. He was no 5-11 1/2". I would be surprised if he was 5-10. But it didn't matter. He was a very intense individual.
     
  6. Overhand94

    Overhand94 Active Member Full Member

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    Do you think he was 5'9 ?
     
  7. janitor

    janitor VIP Member

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    There are weigh ins in boxing, but no measure ins.

    A fighter is basically as tall as they say they are.

    If they want to exaggerate their height for promotional purposes, it will not be challenged.

    In the early 20th century, before heavyweight weigh ins were enforced, we saw the same shenanigans regarding weight reporting.

    We basically have no idea what Bob Fitzsimons weighed when he fought Corbett.
     
  8. SwarmingSlugger

    SwarmingSlugger Active Member Full Member

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    Said forever no way Tyson was 5'11.
     
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  9. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    5'9" and change judging by my height.
     
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  10. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Regis Phibin was anything but a normie.
     
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  11. ubareem

    ubareem Member Full Member

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    Maybe around 5'9 1/2 in his heyday?

    Tua looked like he was 5'9.
     
  12. ubareem

    ubareem Member Full Member

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    They had him listed as 5'10 1/2. You probably have to subtract 2 inches from that listed height.
     
  13. Overhand94

    Overhand94 Active Member Full Member

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    I thought he was a legit 5'10.
     
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  14. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Marciano was in the 5-7 neighborhood according to my sources.
     
  15. Gazelle Punch

    Gazelle Punch Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Yeah right lol you people never stop. He’s on video saying he was 5”10 1/2. The lying about height became popular in sports in the 70/80s especially basketball because they were more likely to be looked at by scouts. Spread to other sports quickly.