Fighter Nutrition: 1899 - 1925

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by The Old School, Mar 1, 2011.


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  1. The Old School

    The Old School New Member Full Member

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    Feb 28, 2011
    After starting a thread elsewhere asking about the differences between the training methods of the old-time boxers and modern fighters, it was strongly impressed upon me that improved supplements and increased knowledge concerning nutrition was a major factor in the increased size (or at least weight and visible muscularity) of present-day athletes.

    That said, I thought I'd post up a couple of the diets recommended by the old-timers, found through links provided by another forum-goer and leafing through my father's old copy of Jack Dempsey's Championship Fighting.

    First up, Jim Jeffries's thoughts:

    The Mike Casey Archive | The Cyber Boxing Zone

    Jeffries's fighting weight was normally just a little over 220 lbs.

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    Jim Jeffries​

    Next up, and much more detailed, is this diet recommended by Dempsey, "for an amateur who has a job":

    Some further thoughts are offered by Dempsey in an amusingly outdated copy of Muscle Builder, popular with strength and conditioning types for its unapologestic praise of the "strong, robust fellow" and editorial contention that "Weakness Is A Crime":

    Muscle Builder - February 1925 - Part One

    Muscle Builder - February 1925 - Part Four

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    Jack Dempsey​

    (I think it's interesting that there never seems to be any fish on the menu.)

    So, compared with the modern approach, how would you chaps evaluate this sort of dietary programme, just in case anyone was thinking of kicking it old school?
     
    The Old School, Mar 1, 2011
    The Old School, Mar 1, 2011
    #1
  2. doug.ie

    doug.ie 'Classic Boxing Society' Full Member

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    interesting
     
    doug.ie, Mar 1, 2011
    doug.ie, Mar 1, 2011
    #2
  3. FAT_TONEY

    FAT_TONEY Active Member Full Member

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    That's all bull****. Everybody knows you gotta eat a lot to become big and strong...
     
    FAT_TONEY, Mar 1, 2011
    FAT_TONEY, Mar 1, 2011
    #3
  4. bodhi

    bodhi Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    And now let´s post James Toney´s and Sam Peter´s.
     
    bodhi, Mar 1, 2011
    bodhi, Mar 1, 2011
    #4
  5. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    That's why Dempsey was a weakling with love handles
     
    PowerPuncher, Mar 1, 2011
    PowerPuncher, Mar 1, 2011
    #5
  6. Boxed Ears

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

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    I got that ice cream thing covered.
     
    Boxed Ears, Mar 1, 2011
    Boxed Ears, Mar 1, 2011
    #6
  7. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    What makes you think Dempsey was weak ?
     
    Unforgiven, Mar 1, 2011
    Unforgiven, Mar 1, 2011
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  8. thegoldenera

    thegoldenera Guest

    if you eat a lot, you are heavier yes, but you are not Necessarily stronger
     
    thegoldenera, Mar 1, 2011
    thegoldenera, Mar 1, 2011
    #8
  9. ticar

    ticar Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    haahaha a good one :lol::good
    dempsey had love handles at 185 lbs and people talk how strong he was :patsch
     
    ticar, Mar 1, 2011
    ticar, Mar 1, 2011
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  10. Jorodz

    Jorodz watching Gatti Ward 1... Full Member

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    that's a really interesting (and sensible from the looks of it) list by dempsey
     
    Jorodz, Mar 1, 2011
    Jorodz, Mar 1, 2011
    #10
  11. jaffay

    jaffay New Orleans Hornets Full Member

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    Nice stuff
     
    jaffay, Mar 2, 2011
    jaffay, Mar 2, 2011
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  12. junior-soprano

    junior-soprano Active Member Full Member

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    it is interesting to read. but to be honest i think in those days they didn't know so much of diets and nutrition as we know nowadays.
    for example no fish on the menu ?? everyone knows you need tyo eat fat fish at least once a weak.
     
    junior-soprano, Mar 2, 2011
    junior-soprano, Mar 2, 2011
    #12
  13. The Pup

    The Pup Member Full Member

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    Not a serious response in here... Classic Classic
     
    The Pup, Mar 2, 2011
    The Pup, Mar 2, 2011
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  14. Swarmer

    Swarmer Patrick Full Member

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    yeah what a weak fatass maybe he needs more protein shakes
     
    Swarmer, Mar 3, 2011
    Swarmer, Mar 3, 2011
    #14
  15. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    His bodyfat isn't low for a 180lb man and yes he has love handles as can be seen from the picture below where he has fat around his hips. And yes if he consumed more protein he'd be able to maintain a lower bodyfat and carry more muscle mass

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    PowerPuncher, Mar 3, 2011
    PowerPuncher, Mar 3, 2011
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