Punch Power Myth.

Your forgetting a key component. The formula for force is mass x acceleration. When fighters move up in weight they gain mass but lose acceleration. Therefore theoretically with enough acceleration they could hit harder with a lower mass than with a higher one.

 

As someone who has done a lot of sparring I have to say it’s the punches u don’t see coming that hurt the most. I can see why Louis and Dempsey were the optimal weight imo. That 195 area is a place of speed and enough mass to Ko anyone while allowing optimal stamina. U can be as big as Ortiz and hit hard but when u see the punches coming a mile away because they’re so slow it diminishes the return. Hardest I’ve been hit is by men weighing 190-205 area. Ive sparred w men as high as 270.
Edit with modern weight gaining methods and utilizing weights and PEDs u can retain that explosiveness into higher weights. But point being speed is probably more important than actual power from weight. Wilder is a good modern example

 

Wdym how do “I” explain Shavers? I’m not a scientist, I just gave you a simple formula I learned in school as to why small guys can hit harder. Idk why there are exceptions. Ask the scientist how they explain him.

 

I'm certainly no scientist, but it may be a combination of delivery technique meaning Shavers got a relatively high proportion of his mass into his punches, allied with technique of wrist position and strength of arm muscle and ligaments, meaning that the object he struck absorbed more of the force than his wrist/arm, relative to other fighters.

 

There is a point when u start to getting into the 170 area and sparring guys their punches def don’t hurt as much despite being faster. You need that optimal weight and speed which to me is in the 190-210 area w modern techniques cough steroids cough I’m sure we can pump that to as high as 225. Occasionally u get a genetic freak like Lewis and AJ that weigh more and retain speed. But those are a rare breed

 

All other factors being equal, fighters weighing 190-210lbs obviously have advantages in speed, mobility and stamina over 240lbs+ boxers.

If they also punch harder (apologies if I've misunderstood your point, it seems to me that is what you are postulating), then it begs the question why none of the current top 20 HWs weighed 210lbs or less in their less fight?

 

I will say this though, I believe taking a shot unlike punching can be improved beyond what you’re born with. Scrap an old poster here said something I liked a lot which is relevant to the thread and captures my opinion on the matter. I highly advise you all read his posts.

“Punchers are born then they are made”

 

Because they’re cruisers now and people like Usyk are better. That’s why he’s gonna whoop Fury. Just my guess

 

You think todays top CWs hit harder than todays top HWs? Or have I misinterpreted?

I think a 230lbs+ in fighting shape fighter hits harder than a 195lbs of equal p4p speed and power. To such a degree, that all other factors being equal, it offsets the substantial advantages the 195lber has in speed, stamina and mobility. Which is why most world class modern day HWs weigh over 230lbs.

 

I agree. That's why a smart coach will analyze a boxer's frame, height, and what their best attributes are before assigning them a weight class. Just because a guy is tall doesn't automatically mean he should be a heavyweight, if he has a lanky frame with quick hands and barely weighs 200 lbs soaking wet, maybe he should actually train down to light heavyweight if he can and optimize his speed and height. Blowing up to 220+ lifting heavy weights and chowing down on food would just make him stiff and slow and even if he could increase his punching power if wouldn't be worth it in the long run.

It really depends on the boxer and his anatomy. A guy who has the frame to add muscle and already has decent punching power could certainly hit harder by adding more healthy weight and mass. At a certain point too much mass is a problem because you don't want to sacrifice fast twitch fibers, stamina, and flexibility.

The most important things are that the boxer improves their timing, accuracy, technique, balance, and weight transfer. All of these ingredients are essential to power punching, not just being big and muscular. If he has the latter and none of the former, he'll never reach his ceiling as a puncher.

 

Slightly misunderstanding. The bigger man can hit slightly harder I agree. BUT the tiny difference is negated when u lose speed and stamina. I also stated the punches that hurt the most are the ones u don’t see coming.