I took a look at the top heavyweights of the last 45 years from the likes Liston, Ali, Fraizer, Foreman, Holmes, Tyson, Holyfield, Lewis, Klitschko brothers. Only a few of them had very ripped bodies, and the best athestic physiques came from the last four. I know genes, diet, training will decide how ripped you are but I would argue the earlier heavyweights like Ali, Frazier etc were in way better condition than heavyweights of the 90's yet their physiques were way more softer looking. So just wanted to know why you guys think it is? I'm pretty sure Tyson, Holyfield and the Klitschko brothers have all taken PEDS could that be the reason for them having the most ripped physiques? I know for a fact is very difficult to only carry lean muscle when you are 6'3 and weigh 220 or more. Any thoughts?
James Toney, Antonio Tarver, Francois Botha etc all busted for PED's but nowhere near close to being ripped. Just because a fighter is in good shape doesn't mean they are doping. But I'd say a sudden change in body composition would arouse suspicion like with Lucas Browne, Fury, Povetkin and Wach.
Yeah it's true PEDS won't necessarily give you a ripped body, but then again not all PEDS are for muscle growth some like EPO are for stamina and endurance. However you are right a sudden change in physique and performance for me rings way more alarm bells especially when it occurs at an older age, go check Mike Perez he's suddenly become ripped eventhough he's never been ripped early in his career.
It may arouse suspicion to some but its also extremely disrespectful to the clean fighters who dedicate them selves to getting in the best shape possible. The only reason lower weight class fighters come in ripped is because they have weight limits to reach, The heavy weights don't differ in ability to get ripped just because they weigh more, its more so due to the fact the don't have to make a specific weight and thus don't need to be as strict, But then you get the ones who are 100% dedicated to the fine details and come in in great shape, Peds also don't make you ripped. You can be as suspicious as you want, But its not fair on the ones who dedicate their lives to the sport and have their names and reputations shat on based on pure speculation.
I hear what your saying I don't look at every ripped big man and assume their juicing although some guys are suspicious when they gain 20lbs of muscle in a year or when they are shredded at the age of 40 like wlad and Briggs. But your argument that maybe the ripped guys just dedicate themselves to the sport and work hard on the details, but Ali, Holmes, Foreman all did that too, you couldn't win all the belts with soo much killers without dedication yet none of those guys had ripped physiques. I'm not here to accuse anyone some are very suspicious but I wouldn't **** on them etc.
I don't think being ripped is an indication of being roided to the gills per se, but so many things OTC items are on the list that are banned substances in boxing, I'd say 90% of fighters are on something, not necessarily the hard stuff, but something.
