Or is the lack of muscles going to show in the power output? Do you guys have any experience with this?
Yes. What I learned is that conditioning is 50% of technique. You cannot throw club level boxing punches without efficient strengthening excercises.
A lot of heavyweights are fat guys who could be light heavies or cruisers, so yes! As the level goes up - I'd say it's less likely. You hardly see light heavyweights that can punch move up to heavyweight and carry that power up at the world level, where most heavyweights, even the fat ones, are true natural heavyweights.
I will tell you that when I hit the bag with Long telegraphed shots, like Foreman, they had the weight of a heavyweight based on the sound. There was no doubt about this. Sounded like kicks! But the question is, are these the only types of punches were I can match a heavyweight.. when you give me a lot of room to accelerate.. cause then it's not really applicable.. most punches will be thrown from normal range. Basically it's like winding up for a punch machine to get a high Score. I wont have time to muster Up that swing In a fight , unless hes hurt on the ropes.
On the other hand.... when I see guys like Otto Wallin who is neither fast nor strong.. i feel like I should hit harder than him, at least. I punch with better leverage and my Speed is slightly better. His weight shouldn't matter if he"s a mediocre puncher. Right? So basically my thought is maybe a puncher from 174 can be the lowest out of punchers, but ahead of all non punchers in the division.
Sinc punching power is about moving your bodyweight explosively, more weight will mean more power - UP TO A POINT because more weight also tends to make you less explosive. Supposedly, the magic happens between 80 and100 kg, or 176 and 220 lbs. Practically all of the best heavyweight punchers sat somewhere in that weight range.