How much of an edge is size (reach + weight) in boxing?

[levistep]

This fight got me thinking, how much of an edge is size in boxing? Take an athletic 6'3 215lbs man with 78'' reach and minimal boxing skills. How many months of training before he could take Mayweather (150lbs)? I asked some of my friends and they think Mayweather is basically invincible to any low-skilled boxer, even if he's much bigger.

I know someone with 0 boxing ability would get their ass beat, even if they were 100lbs more, but I think an amateur boxer at some gym with those attributes above would stand a great chance of taking Mayweather.

Am I way off base?

 

[Doug]

you thinking of goin' for it,Levi ? :money8:

 

[levistep]

I believe that the size difference from 150lbs to 200lbs is a lot larger than 200lbs to 250lbs because of the limitations of the human body. Size and strength kind of peak off the bigger they get, but the different between 150lbs and 200lbs is enormous.

 

[TomBrady#1]

Your statements are just wild and reckless. Size is huge in boxing. For a long time all lightheavyweights (class below heavyweights) would come up to fight heavyweights and lose. Happened time and time again. Now sometimes smaller guys have won but remember they come up and gain weight to fight. It is not like a guy 150 pounds fighting a 200 pounder. That never can or could happen. Mayweather is smaller tomorrow but he gained weight to fight and the weights will be similar in the ring. The better question is can the fighter handle the extra weight because they will not allow a fighter to fight much heavier guys. He must gain weight. A middleweight 160 lbs could never fight a heavyweight unless he gained a lot of weight and the only example I remember is Archie Moore who actually did very well years ago. He moved up and fought all weight classes and did well. Size is huge though to answer your question. Big advantage.

 

[levistep]

Your statements are just wild and reckless. Size is huge in boxing.

Where is the reckless part, you seem to agree with me that size is huge.

It is not like a guy 150 pounds fighting a 200 pounder. That never can or could happen. Mayweather is smaller tomorrow but he gained weight to fight and the weights will be similar in the ring.

I know they don't allow those fights, but what if it did occur? Who'd be the fav?

 

[TomBrady#1]

Where is the reckless part, you seem to agree with me that size is huge.


I know they don't allow those fights, but what if it did occur? Who'd be the fav?

Well you are asking about a guy who doesn't fight but is athletic and bigger, training to fight Mayweather. It is absurd on its face though I agree it is interesting. LOL. Stick apples with apples and oranges with oranges so to speak. A trained fighter would beat a basketball player who is bigger or anyone else most of the time. You just do not train someone to take on a guy who has fought all his life. There is no training for getting hit that first time right on the chin by a pro fighter. Size is huge but forget the lets take someone off the street and put him in the ring. There is more to fighting that that. Size is big. Foster a great lightheavyweight moved up to fight Ali and got killed. Many others too. Michael SPinks I think was a better fighter than Tyson but Tyson was bigger and killed him. Hope this helps.

 

[LogansRun]

I agree about size is everything because smaller guys have to put on weight which makes them slower and they don't have the commensurate increase in power. The difference between a cruiserweight and a welterweight (43 lbs) is much larger than a light heavy/cruiser and heavy (min 25 lbs diff but probably closer to 45 since you rarely see heavyweights anything near 200 lbs). That's not to say a welterweight can't KO a light heavy as glass jaws are evident in every class but I would say it's less likely than cruiser/light-heavy vs heavy. A classic cruiserweight like Holyfield or Toney or even Roy Jones Jr could probably put Shannon Briggs on his ass but someone like Donald Curry, Trinidad or ODLH would have a bitch of time trying to handle Holyfield as a cruiser.

 

[levistep]

There is no training for getting hit that first time right on the chin by a pro fighter.

Is there training for being able to take a shot? I thought you were pretty much born with that based on your facial structure, bone density and all that stuff.

I appreciate the response. I just think that there is a huge dropoff in boxing ability at a certain point. For example, a person with 1 week tough training is multiple times better than someone with no training. Someone with 2 weeks training is a bit better than 1 week. 4 weeks is even slightly less better than 2 weeks, etc etc. Then you get to the point where there is such a small difference from 1 year to 5 years, than 5-10lb weight difference would more than cover it.

 

[TomBrady#1]

Is there training for being able to take a shot? I thought you were pretty much born with that based on your facial structure, bone density and all that stuff.

Not really but being in great shape and taking previous punches helps.

How about training a taller athlete to play basketball against a smaller hoops player? Doesn't it seem foolish to train a player to play a smaller guy in hoops where size matters? The hoops player would win. Whatever craft or sport you do in the world it takes years often LIFETIME OF TRAINING to be the best. ALL fighters as they are amateurs and then pro get better and better. it takes time. Some are naturally gifted but they still have to work at it. Mayweather has been fighting all his life. His father,Uncles were pro fighters and very successfull. He would destroy anyone who is not a seasoned pro like him. Even if they were much bigger but that is silly talk. If he had to fight another real fighter who is 200pounds he would not have a chance. Not a chance and the fight woudl never happen because he is too small.


Size matters and you are right can help offset a more skilled fighter.

 

[levistep]

you thinking of goin' for it,Levi ? :money8:

I'd stand a better chance against Mayweather than against this guy.

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[TomBrady#1]

Vicious. Street fighting is a rough thing. Those guys are unskilled though as you can tell. Tough though.