Bucking the Trend: Unconventional HWs Become Ascendent.

Haye was a cruiser who won a heavyweight title in the last era. Byrd did it before that. Moorer before that. Holyfield, both Spinks brothers etc.

Usyk isn’t going against a trend. There has been a minority of small guys moving up and winning titles since forever.

And Usyk is about the size of Ali.

 

I do think it was an unexpected development and a unique condition of boxing to have such large competition from a physical stand point. Size dominance I believe is more effective in mixed martial arts in it's advantages, adding in wrestling, grappling, etc. But I see larger fighters in boxing, I think the SHW is something uniquely fit to boxing as it gives advantages to the larger fighter though it still can remain competitive in spite of the physical advantages.

What I wonder is, how the division has looked with such large fighters in recent history like you listed, will talent of this size (literal) continue to join boxing? There aren't many men who deserve the SHW moniker and back it up in a way Fury, Wlad, AJ, does with both the height and weight of a SHW. Of course Fury is of especially notable size but, I wonder more about the pool of talent.

 

Plenty of contenders in the 5”10-6”3 traditional heights only they’re heavier now. Through semi functional weight gain…as you could see the 6”3 Whyte weighing an ungodly amount recently didn’t have the stamina to go six rounds. Oddly he barely through any punches throughout. Compare that with a more fit Usyk who was able to keep pace and put work and skill the bigger AJ…I’ve always said and will continue to say being fat or overweight is not a skill. Once past the point of functional weight fighters need to stop gaining. The benefits are far outweighed by the negatives. I think the smaller fighters need to stop overtly gaining weight for the larger opponents and stick to their optimal fighting weight. It doesn’t work historically to add useless weight (in fear of being pushed aroung). Well written post and good way to start a Convo.

 

Who are the sub- 6' contenders at heavyweight?

 

Tua
Chagaev (ain’t no 6”1)
Toney
RJJ
Holyfield before HGH
Tyson
Norris

If you want to go historically it could take some time. This is just the last thirty years of shws.
Plenty of others at or near the six foot mark. To many to name actually. I know the two inches means a lot to you as a small Italian man was 5”10. Let it go Seamus let it go. 5”10 people can box too.

 

I meant now... or in recent memory.

And are suggesting that Vander got to 6-2 because of HGH? That is hilarious.

Again, who are the current heavies of note under 6 feet?

 

Yes or No was Evander listed at 5”11? If it’s anything other then he was your lying.

 

The definition of a small heavyweight is definitely bigger than in the past. But, I think it’s very consistent for maybe 1-3 guys from a lower division to move up and win the/a heavyweight title in each era. They just tend to have very brief reigns.

 

If one is to read your assertation (that HGH made him grow) in context of my question ("who are the sub 6-foot contenders?") then clearly that is the implication you are making.

 

Everyone is using steroids…literally. I don’t know how Holy grew from 5”11 to 6”2. That’s beyond me. But it wasn’t natural. People don’t keep growing till there 25.
Any how they don’t have to be champions just contenders as was asked. Toney never got a shot. So who knows how he would have done. Both Klits avoided Tua (high risk no reward at that point for them). Hard to say how he would have done against them. Wlad didn’t handle left hookers well.
Def not hard on Seamus he knows what he’s doing lol it’s all about the Italian with him he’s obsessed

 

Idk what made him grow but he was 5”11 for awhile into adulthood That can’t be argued.

 

He was 6' 1 1/4' in his debut at the age of 22. 177 pounds.