Why does size matter?

Punching and the ability to withstand a punch has a lot more to do with anticipation than anything else.

If a middleweight is knocked cold for two whole minutes after the ten count dont you think the same impact might stun a HW for ten seconds?

But it's so much harder for a middleweight to grasp the required exposure with such a big man climbing all over him. It dosnt mean a HW can survive a "free shot" from Julian Jackson. It's just that you won't see a fighter take a free shot without resistance.

Does anyone think George Chuvalo wont drop like a stone if he gets lead piped unsuspecting from behind?

Guys with the best reputations for having an iron jaw didn't actually have iron jaws! They all had excellent anticipation, amazing positive mental attitude, rode punches and knew how to brace themselves.

Where size comes in is how quickly a fighter might fade from the exertion of facing a bigger guy. Bouncing off him, him leaning all over you, working like mad to get at him before he gets to you.
It takes the giant less effort to make a physical impression on a smaller guy.

 

Ali took only the ricochet of punches from Foreman. The number of clean head punches that Ali took blind from George total absolutely zero.

The actual impact Ali received thanks to his ability to anticipate and react to a punch would not have bothered Floyd Patterson.

At 190 Ali wouldn't have even gone to the ropes with Foreman. He would have danced all night. But if he were forced, he would do just as well on the ropes since it required no extra weight what he did.

 

I totally disagree.

Any ways, back to your behemoth rant. remove clinching and problem solved.

 

You think Ali took full blooded clean shots, unanticipated, to the head from George Foreman?

 

Sometimes I wonder why you bother partaking in conversation as you interpret what is said however you need to to further your argument.

Are you the same poster as MAG? I've never known two posters so similarly tunnel visioned.

 

Holding is a tiny part of the problem. You keep thinking there is a simple answer for complicated questions. There are multiple factors as to why artificial weight has ruined HW boxing to create SHW.

Artificial weight changes things. only the tallest guys can carry the most artificial weight. It's got to the point where the inferior boxer wins because he can carry more artificial weight. It impedes the shorter guy because it's harder to overcome reach disadvantage once a fighter is too heavy.

the fact that champions rarely meet healthy height to weight requirements is huge. just check the US Army requirements.

 

I'm not from the US so the army requirements mean nothing to me.

If Wlad wasn't allowed to hold he either has to improve his game from range or improve his game up close. Either way the fight becomes more about the more skilled man.

Holding is a purely physical act. jabbing and moving is a skill. infighting is a skill.

 

Some good points here.

When Tommy Loughran gets TKO'd by a 150lber, but then defeats a 255lb HW, obviously there are greater elements at play than size alone.

My intuition tells me that there haven't been many dynamic heavyweights in the last 20 years or so. Does anyone else feel like many of the top ranked fighters just don't seem to have that electricity in the ring? Things just always feel very conservative in these heavyweight fights, and I sense that size becomes more important in this kind of environment.

Yeah, Dempsey, Louis, and Ali may not have the size of modern fighters. But there's no way they wouldn't box circles around these guys who in comparison would look like plodders.

I think specific assets work better or worse depending on the environment.

 

Neither am I from the US, but their requirements stipulate the maximum and minimum weight for age groups for every inch of height. With very few exceptions, before the P.E.D generation HW champions fell within these requirements. George Foreman included.

Wlad is not allowed to hold as the rules stand now. Holding has always been illegal. if the rules were applied as they should he just would get docked a whole lot of points. Making him fight with smaller gloves could discourage more holding because big gloves don't make it easier to land clean. He's more likely to get clocked before he can tie anybody up. He will occupy himself trying to ward blows with smaller shield too.

 

I sense you are beginning to understand.just try to search for more than one reason.

yes me! I think the changes to the sport are responsible. Artificial weight 24 hour weigh ins, shorter rounds and bigger gloves.

 

I hadn't really considered the gravity of rehydration until you pointed it out.
There really is no reason for there to be any 200-220lb heavyweights in the division anymore, is there?

 

No, a 220 fighter has to artificially enhance himself to get out of the CW division.

 

Well that's dumb

 

I dont know what the answer is. But with 24 hours CW is potentially so big now. It has the same range of 90% of Heavyweights in about 1981 when the CW division was created.

 

Remove clinching, remove the problem.