How prevalent is steriod use in professional boxing?

I know that there are many people on these threads who are considering turning professional one day, myself included. To me this is a very important question because if steriod use were rampant it would definately effect my decision. The idea that I would have to juice in order to be on a level playing field definately disturbs me, and I'm sure there are many other people who are interested in this.

Is there any professional boxers or trainers who frequent these forums who could give an insight into this? Obviously nobody is expecting anybody to drop any names, but any insight would be helpful.

Good question

If you train hard and have the mental proverbial balls then you will overcome the drug abusers.

How prevalent is steriod use in professional boxing?

I know that there are many people on these threads who are considering turning professional one day, myself included. To me this is a very important question because if steriod use were rampant it would definately effect my decision. The idea that I would have to juice in order to be on a level playing field definately disturbs me, and I'm sure there are many other people who are interested in this.

Is there any professional boxers or trainers who frequent these forums who could give an insight into this? Obviously nobody is expecting anybody to drop any names, but any insight would be helpful.

Just because someone juices to get extra performace dosnt mean u have to to be on a even playing field.Even with roids u still may be stronger and faster then some1 whos juiced. Steroids may well increase test resulting in increased strenght and speed, but there r more down sides to them then benifits, if they use steroids its to ur benefit. A healthy liver is better then a beat up one, not to mention some roids dry u out resluting in bad joints, weakened tendons,high blood pressure, elevated cholestrol and in the long term my seriously hinder ur own natural test production even if u follow pct. This is just the tip of the ice berg.

U shouldnt be worried about what there doing,swallowing,injecting to be ready for the fight. Concentrate on urself. Roids dont build skill,heart,intelligence, or improve technique. I know people who juice and fight but it just makes me train harder, and in the long run ive got a body that will last me for life, not one that will be ****ed by the time am in my fifties.

steroids are 4 bitches

I been around boxing for decades and I have seen little evidence that steroids are a problem in boxing. Since most boxers have a problem making weight, using steroids would only exacerbate the problem. The real problem in boxing is dehydration, and it is killing people. It is high time to START testing boxers for dehydration and STOP testing for steroids.

Since most boxers have a problem making weight, using steroids would only exacerbate the problem. The real problem in boxing is dehydration, and it is killing people. It is high time to START testing boxers for dehydration and STOP testing for steroids.

Depends what steroids and banned substances r being used.Winstrol/Stromba, Proviron, anavar just 2 name a few dont put on losts of mass but if stacked correctly will give cuts and not bulk.

They SHOULD test boxers for steroids and they do test for dehyration, low blood pressure, dark urine, fast weak pulse, sunken dry eyes etc.etc etc.

most boxers say that weights slow you down so i doubt theyre gonna be juicing.

also, dont forget steroids arent the only performance enhancing drug. there was one lance armstrong admitted to taking that like tripled the oxygen in his blood so he was able to ride farther without getting tired.

Depends what steroids and banned substances r being used.Winstrol/Stromba, Proviron, anavar just 2 name a few dont put on losts of mass but if stacked correctly will give cuts and not bulk.

They SHOULD test boxers for steroids and they do test for dehyration, low blood pressure, dark urine, fast weak pulse, sunken dry eyes etc.etc etc.

i was gonna say somthing to that effect,not all steriods are used just too bulk,i can tell you know your stuff cuz you put the right names of the steriods that would be an asset to a boxer....good post

steroids were huge in the 80's. i'd venture out and say 50% of the world champs at the time were all on the juice. since then, it has toned down a bit but it is still a huge part of the sport.

steroids were huge in the 80's. i'd venture out and say 50% of the world champs at the time were all on the juice. since then, it has toned down a bit but it is still a huge part of the sport.

50% would be a pretty large number. I am a bit surprised that you think steriods were bigger in the 80's than they are now, but I guess it is possible that back then there was just less awareness.

I am particularly curious about the steriod question because I am a heavyweight, so making weight is not a factor and steriod use is probably more prevalent in the heavyweight division. There is a certain limitation to what steriods could possibly do since boxing is more of a skill sport than a strength sport, but there is still frequently situations where guys win because of physical strength advantages.

50% would be a pretty large number. I am a bit surprised that you think steriods were bigger in the 80's than they are now, but I guess it is possible that back then there was just less awareness.

I am particularly curious about the steriod question because I am a heavyweight, so making weight is not a factor and steriod use is probably more prevalent in the heavyweight division. There is a certain limitation to what steriods could possibly do since boxing is more of a skill sport than a strength sport, but there is still frequently situations where guys win because of physical strength advantages.


And......

Do u lack confidence in ur own strenght and boxing ability, u wouldnt even consider talking like this if u had confidence in ur boxing, il give away 30 or 40 pounds, 6 inches in height, be dehyrated, hell il even let him take his roids and i still believe il come out on top. If u dont turn pro on the basis that the guy might be on steroids it says 2 me that ur not mentally prepared to fight for a living. I underdstand u feel they might have a unfair advantage and u want a fair fight, but deal with it.

Stop worrying about other people and concentrate on urself.

And......

Do u lack confidence in ur own strenght and boxing ability, u wouldnt even consider talking like this if u had confidence in ur boxing, il give away 30 or 40 pounds, 6 inches in height, be dehyrated, hell il even let him take his roids and i still believe il come out on top. If u dont turn pro on the basis that the guy might be on steroids it says 2 me that ur not mentally prepared to fight for a living. I underdstand u feel they might have a unfair advantage and u want a fair fight, but deal with it.

Stop worrying about other people and concentrate on urself.

That's very idealistic and all, and i commend you on your views on the sport and your fighting spirit, but you have to take into consideration the fact that in the professional arena, the fighters you will face will all be amazing athelete's who have put in the time just like you. IF they are taking steroids, they will likely have an advantage against you in both strength and speed which could easily make the difference between victory and defeat. Think of the Tour De France and the doping scandals, if you give an amazing athlete drugs that let him exceed his natural limits, he can beat people who naturally outclass him and have trained harder.

I'm not saying that people should use roids, but the OP has reason to be wary about it, and you are definatly underestimating the advantage they can give you.

Whiskey makes a good point. The reason that steroid use would be easy to apply for the sport of pro boxing is easy; weight classes. Example, if boxer X has a problem making weight at junior welterweight, he can juice and put on the bulk to move up to welter, or even junior middleweight and carry a lot of strength with him. The reason that steroids are not tested for in the traditional sense is because of how far "steroids" have come. I can name about 10 different entirely legal muscle suppliments that can be taken in combos of two or three to produce steroid-like effects. And don't forget, the primary purpose of steroids is NOT to put on weight (weight is a side-effect), it is to increase strength. Many people mis-associate the result of steroid usage because they see enormous bodybuilders who have juiced their brains out. Steroids allow for production of hormones that increase muscle size/capacity. So if a boxer wants to juice, he just has to know his stuff and know what is going to show up on a test, then its pretty much elementary. Pitted against a fighter of similar skill without liquid-muscle in his veins, the steroid user has a distinct advantage. Ask Vargas.

That's very idealistic and all, and i commend you on your views on the sport and your fighting spirit, but you have to take into consideration the fact that in the professional arena, the fighters you will face will all be amazing athelete's who have put in the time just like you. IF they are taking steroids, they will likely have an advantage against you in both strength and speed which could easily make the difference between victory and defeat. Think of the Tour De France and the doping scandals, if you give an amazing athlete drugs that let him exceed his natural limits, he can beat people who naturally outclass him and have trained harder.

I'm not saying that people should use roids, but the OP has reason to be wary about it, and you are definatly underestimating the advantage they can give you.

Good point on the tour de france statement, i like it.Yes u will have an advantage. However lets be honnest, u cant be certain ur opponent is taking roids, so ur not gonna follow ur dreams, make cash, become a champ, etc etc what ever ur reasons, on the basis that they could be? This is ludicrus.

Am not gonna fight anymore becuase my opponant might be on steroids!

U also stated "likey" have an advantage, good choice of words there. Its not guranteed that a steroid user will out perform a highly trained natural athlete.Steroids will take u to the next level once youve reached ur natural potention. Every ones natural ability is different.

Boxing is 70% a mental game and 30 % physical imo. Steroids dont build the mind, dedication,intelligence, skill, ring craft,techniuqe, enable u to take a good shot, and many more aspects i cant think of right now. I understand that yes, again, there sud be an even playing field,i agree that would be ideal, but if u want it bad enough u do it even if the cards arnt stacked in ur favour.

If not then u jusmp on the band wagon with the others and become a sports cheat. Or Hang ur gloves up and say i never tried because life isnt fair, or u go for it.

Not all world champions have used steroids. I cant prove it, but lets take into account "probability", and it would say there have been world champions who did it without steroids, beating those who took them.

I personally feel i do not under estimamte steroids, and there potention when used correctly,i have personally wayed up the pros and cons and the cons far exceed the pros in the long term.

Yes steriods will enable u too move up in weight class, by increasing weight it usually results in increased strenght. However this can be done naturally. U dont need sterios to move up in weight.

Steriods are tested for, ur speaking about legal supplimets that produce steriod like effects. Yes Steriods have come along way, users slip through the net by sometimes manufacturers changing the chemical structure of the steroid slighly so it becomes a brand new substance that is unknown and is undetectable. Other times they juice and know how long the gear stays in there system for. Sometimes they get this wrong and get caught out.

Some steroids primary purpose is to put on weight, and bulk,Mr Universe contestants are not tested on strenght but on there physical appearance so they used diiferent steriods to that of a boxer wanting to inrease strenght and not too much in size. Anadrol for instance Gains of up to 10 pounds in 2 weeks are not uncommon. There are also some vetinary steriods used for bulking up cattle to increase there size resulting in more profit that are taken by juicers. Different steriods act differently.