How many fights does a heavyweight contender need before?

I think it's who you fight more than how many you fight. And if you have the right financial backing. But you are looking at 20-25 if you want a number.

Saying that everyone seems to be trying to fast track now, or they just aren't fighting regularly enough.

 

Maybe, Joyce has had 13 fights so far, and that is a big step up from Takam to Usyk/Fury. Joshua was moved very quickly, but Martin was a weak champion, and then Joshua learnt on the job against Breazeale and Molina. His real challenge came in his 18th fight against Klitschko.

I guess Joyce is rushing because time isn't on his side. Would like to see him against a top 15 opponent first.

 

I think 15 can be enough, with a good amateur backgrand and if they step up gradually (no bum carousel).
Joshi had 15 fights when fighting for his first title, and already had a much better resume as the beltholder.
Neon Leon only needed 8 fights to beat (clearly past it) Ali.
Usyk had 18 fights, 2 at heavyweight.

 

Depends on a number of factors mainly amateur pedigree and the age they've turned over.

 

I completely agree. I editted a little too slowly for you there. Haha

 

Looking at this question one word comes to mind,,,,depends. If you have no amateur experience or very little 25 to 30 fights are probably needed to raise your level. Even though George Foreman won the gold medal he didn't have a lot of amateur fights so his management put him in 37 times before fighting Frazier to gain it. You can spar all you want but nothing replaces actual fighting, that's where you learn

 

As with everything, it depends on the situation.

Larry Holmes kind of pumped up his resume by fighting guys (who would become names later on) early in their careers.

Ossie Ocasio only had 13 pro fights. Tim Witherspoon only 15. Marvis Frazier just 10. Bonecrusher Smith just 15. David Bey only 14. Carl Williams 16. Leon Spinks, the biggest name of this bunch at that time, only had 14.

In some cases, the fighters performed well. But, clearly, most were still green. A couple more pro fights probably would've done them all some good.

I saw where Hrgovic joined the Ring top 10. Joyce and Hrgovic both have 13 fights. Both were very experienced amateurs. Joyce is approaching 40, so he clearly is on a fast track. Both would likely do just fine against someone like Fury now, though likely neither has the experience to win at this point.

Joyce doesn't have a lot of time. But, certainly for Hrgovic, more experience would do him a world of good.

In most cases, 18 to 20 fights would be okay, depending on their amateur experience. Those with fewer amateur fights probably need more pro fights before fighting the best.

For example, Larry Holmes didn't fight for the title until his 28th pro fight. And he needed every bit of that experience against Ken Norton.

 

This is a good answer. Joyce needs to move quickly because of his age, he probably should be moved to fight a top ten guy then gun for a title, any title fight he can get his hands on.

Most would do well with the time tested method of fighting no-hopers, more durable journeymen, fringe contenders and gatekeepers, contenders, champion(s). How many fights is dependent on different factors (age, how well they are progressing, etc). Someone like Usyk was clearly ready with not a lot of pro fights where Faruq saleem had 39 fights and was never ready for a title shot. I would think the number of fights in the high teens early 20s would be generally good for a contender who was moved along competently

 

Neither did George Foreman or Deontay Wilder. Foreman fought for his first title in his 38th pro fight and Wilder did in his 33rd.

 

One thing to consider though, @dmt as I am seeing Usyk, Joyce and Hrgovic names in this thread. They all fought in the World Series of Boxing, which is a tournament that gives Amateurs a taste of what they will face in the Pro-ranks: no head-guards, a 10 points-must system. 5 rounds of 3 minutes. But I agree with @Dubblechin that Hrgovic really needs to be fighting more regularly, whereas Joyce has been moved a long faster, but along the correct steps. Though, I don't agree with him saying Joyce is approaching 40. Though that is because I am older than Joyce. He literally just turned 36 a few months back!

 

As little as possible. It's important to make pay days. Also in the hw division one punch can change the outcome of the fight. You know the saying 30 is the best age for a heavyweight. I'm pretty sure Jameel mccline said that. Also these big guys with big punches are walking around with big fears too (Joshua, deontay lookin all concerned with his earphones) Frankie Sanchez afraid to get hit and so on and so forth.