How many fights does a heavyweight contender need before?

Mike_b · Nov 29, 2021

Mike_b said: ↑

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.
Click to expand...

Careful matchmaking can be preferential for some.

NEETzschean · Nov 29, 2021

Dubblechin said: ↑

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.
Click to expand...

It partly depends on age as well. Physical and mental maturity is a big advantage, even if the amateur experience is equal. The closer you are to your early-mid 30's, the better in most cases.

vast · Nov 29, 2021

Skill level, age, and experience all come into play.

Log in or Sign up

How many fights does a heavyweight contender need before?

Mike_b Well-Known Member Full Member

NEETzschean Well-Known Member banned Full Member

vast Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

Log in or Sign up

Forums

How many fights does a heavyweight contender need before?

Mike_b Well-Known Member Full Member

NEETzschean Well-Known Member banned Full Member

vast Obsessed with Boxing Full Member