Why is it hard for fighters to stay at a lower weight the older they get?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by death, Jun 25, 2009.


  1. death

    death Active Member Full Member

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    Apr 11, 2008
    I was wondering if anybody could say why as boxers get older they move up in weight class because they say it's hard to keep making weight. Is this because they gain more body fat as they get older or, is it because there muscles are getting bigger? For example, I think it was stated that Sugar Ray Robinson said that one of the main reasons he moved from 147 weight class at the time was because he had difficulty making weight. So what is it?
     
    death, Jun 25, 2009
    death, Jun 25, 2009
    #1
  2. thesham01

    thesham01 Undisputed Champion Full Member

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    people's metabolism slows as you grow old, you therefore naturally put on weight as you get older.... even if you have eaten the same food's and the same amount throughout your life
     
    thesham01, Jun 25, 2009
    thesham01, Jun 25, 2009
    #2
  3. catasyou

    catasyou Lucian Bute Full Member

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    The density of your bones grows as you get older thus you weigh a bit more every year altough you don't realize it.
     
    catasyou, Jun 25, 2009
    catasyou, Jun 25, 2009
    #3
  4. hmm

    hmm damn chairs Full Member

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    hmm says... them bones.
     
    hmm, Jun 25, 2009
    hmm, Jun 25, 2009
    #4
  5. dbouziane

    dbouziane ............. Full Member

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    spot on
     
    dbouziane, Jun 25, 2009
    dbouziane, Jun 25, 2009
    #5
  6. JL Fighter

    JL Fighter Boxing Addict Full Member

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    how much did you weigh when you were in high school?
     
    JL Fighter, Jun 25, 2009
    JL Fighter, Jun 25, 2009
    #6
  7. telboy66

    telboy66 Member Full Member

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    I take it you are young, as you get older you will answer this question yourself the more you diet then stop you put the weight back on next time it gets harder to shift it creeps up on you & it's allways those last few pounds that are the hardest so it's natural that the weight will be more difficult to make, The only real answer is constant dieting with no breaks during your boxing career BUT don't tell Ricky Hatton
     
    telboy66, Jun 25, 2009
    telboy66, Jun 25, 2009
    #7
  8. mgdb26

    mgdb26 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    This is question is why Bernard Hopkins amazes me, he was able to make 160 at the age of 40 when he fought Jermain, and even more impressive, he was able to make 156 (the lightest he ever fought at) against Oscar at the age of 39, and wasn't weight drained.
     
    mgdb26, Jun 25, 2009
    mgdb26, Jun 25, 2009
    #8
  9. bolieu_mtl

    bolieu_mtl Active Member Full Member

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    Great thread.
     
    bolieu_mtl, Jun 25, 2009
    bolieu_mtl, Jun 25, 2009
    #9
  10. elTerrible

    elTerrible TeamElite General Manager Full Member

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    how much do your parents weigh now and how much did they weigh 30 years ago?


    its probably a significant difference. generally everyone gains weight. Most retired fighters are way bigger than their fighting weight. The only one I can think of that looks skinny is SRL and mayweather sr
     
    elTerrible, Jun 25, 2009
    elTerrible, Jun 25, 2009
    #10
  11. Starched Him

    Starched Him Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    get fatter when you get older
     
    Starched Him, Jun 25, 2009
    Starched Him, Jun 25, 2009
    #11
  12. LaidOut

    LaidOut Whaaaaat? Full Member

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    Slower metabolism. That, and they can't stay away from cake.
     
    LaidOut, Jun 25, 2009
    LaidOut, Jun 25, 2009
    #12
  13. JL Fighter

    JL Fighter Boxing Addict Full Member

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    since the 99 cent whopper was introduced
     
    JL Fighter, Jun 25, 2009
    JL Fighter, Jun 25, 2009
    #13
  14. death

    death Active Member Full Member

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    Apr 11, 2008
    Thank you for the great reply's everyone.
    I now remember a story my Mom told me, that when she was little she made her Dad's lunch every day for work. She said she made him two sandwiches a day. After a while, he had her down to making him one sandwich, and a while later he tried to get her to give him only a half a sandwich. She said she told him you don't have to eat it, but I'm giving you at least a whole sandwich! lol. I guess that's the same thing.

    I didn't know about the bone density, that is interesting.
     
    death, Jun 25, 2009
    death, Jun 25, 2009
    #14