I have seen some old pics from him as a cruiserweight were he looks so small. At the douglas fight he added muscles and looked like another one.
I know that he later used a special workout designed from Doctor Fred Hatfield, PhD. But this he did as he was a heavyweight yet.

Anybody knows which workout or strategy he followed.

Eat big. Sleep big. Lift big.

And it helped that Potatoes wasn't his trainer.

He always had a big frame, at 6'2 1/2". He just filled it out with specialized weight training. Michael Moorer's career at heavyweight would have benefited as well from similar training.

I saw an old picture from him within this forums and I cannot name this a big frame considering.

Eat, sleep, lift is is logical, but what kind of routine?

http://sportsci.org/news/news9709/hatfield.html

its alot of work!

Wasn't Holyfield working with former Mr. Olympia Lee Haney at one point?

http://sportsci.org/news/news9709/hatfield.html

its alot of work!

why did he do curls for weight lifting

he wanted balanced muscles if they are unbalanced you leave yourself wide open to injuries

his team was full of body builders and olympic lifters. he was juiced up to the gills!!

Chemical assistance ;)

I have seen some old pics from him as a cruiserweight were he looks so small. At the douglas fight he added muscles and looked like another one.
I know that he later used a special workout designed from Doctor Fred Hatfield, PhD. But this he did as he was a heavyweight yet.

Anybody knows which workout or strategy he followed.



Joe Louis didn't need to pump iron and he knocked out every oversized heavyweight he faced. Gaining 20 pounds wouldn't have done him any good and it didn't do anything to improve Holyfield's performance either.

Joe Louis didn't need to pump iron and he knocked out every oversized heavyweight he faced. Gaining 20 pounds wouldn't have done him any good and it didn't do anything to improve Holyfield's performance either.

You really need someone to hit you in the liver before and after they've gained 20 lbs. of muscle. I think it would help you.

I can't understand how you can theorize that muscular strength is not advantageous in boxing. I just don't understand. Seriously. Enlighten me. How is a weak fighter better off than a strong fighter?

If a fighter was gaining 20 lbs. of fat, I'd understand your point; but it takes a HELL of a lot of muscle to reach a point of diminishing returns as far as oxygenation, endurance, recovery, flexibility, and general mobility. Yes, he'll have gained weight, but it's not the same as if he'd simply strapped a 20-lb. pack on his back; he'll have gained the strength necessary to carry the weight. And then some.

In a professional heavyweight fighter with a big frame, a gain of 20 lbs. of solid muscle -- assuming he was in fighting trim to start and remained there through the gaining process -- is not going to slow him down or make him weaker in any observable manner. At all.

i wanna know too, why is it a dissadvantage to bee strong?

It's not. It is a disadvantage to weigh 30+ lbs over your body's ideal fighting weight, whether it's fat or muscle.

Being strong boxing wise and having a lot of muclse mass is two completely different things.
Being strong(functional strength) has a lot to do with genetics and powerlifting, not bodybuilding. But rapidly gaining muscles, a la bodybuilding will deprive you from your stamina, agility and speed.
Dont forget that all these muscles have to be supplied with oxygen, thus more muscles -- more work for heart -- less stamina.

Being strong boxing wise and having a lot of muclse mass is two completely different things.
Being strong(functional strength) has a lot to do with genetics and powerlifting, not bodybuilding. But rapidly gaining muscles, a la bodybuilding will deprive you from your stamina, agility and speed.
Dont forget that all these muscles have to be supplied with oxygen, thus more muscles -- more work for heart -- less stamina.


true, a powerlifting routine is great for boxers they will gain some muscle but it will be useful muscle. the muscle bodybuilders gain is great at muscualr endurance(working for long periods of tension) but how often does that apply in boxing?

It's not. It is a disadvantage to weigh 30+ lbs over your body's ideal fighting weight, whether it's fat or muscle.



There is little point in explaining anything to these keyboard warriors who are full of their own theories as well as that stuff that belongs in the barnyard. Rocky Marciano forced his weight down to 185 for a good reason: maximum fitness is coincides with maximum useable strength in an endurance related competition. Boxing has been around for over 100 years and it has been shown repeatedly that too much mass produces too little performance. Marciano could knockout any man with one punch in any round, and he could windmill knockout punches for 15 rounds. That is what real world "strength" is all about.

Now lets wait for it......the chief nerdy-boy is about to say he would go 15 rounds with Marciano anytime!!! :boxing:

Actually, 'tatoes, when was the last time you went a round with anyone?

Boxing has been around for over 100 years and it has been shown repeatedly that too much mass produces too little performance.

Where, exactly? What are your sources?

Define "too much mass," while you're at it.

Lifting weights, in combination with a serious boxing training routine, will not -- CAN not -- produce the caliber of hypertrophy that would be detrimental to a boxer. If someone put down boxing completely and trained as a bodybuilder for years, then perhaps, yes. Augmenting boxing with weight training, and even gaining mass and muscular strength through weight training IN ADDITION TO BOXING, is not detrimental, and I would really, really, like you to quote one case in which it proved to be.

In a case of going overboard with weight training and hypertrophy I will point to the careers of Shannon Briggs and Danny Williams as two guys who's conditioning suffered bigtime. This was more of a case of foolish use of weight training (getting as huge as possible) than a reason to condemn weightlifting however. Weightlifting has it's place when used correctly, but I am against a non-heavyweight bulking up as it pushes the athlete above his natural weightclass where he is absorbing punches from guys who have bigger frames. Vinny Pazienza was a prime example of this.

The way hypertrophy can pay off for a nonheavyweight in my opinion is if say a 145 lb fighter at 14% bodyfat loses weight and replaces it with muscle (through weight training) to achieve a 145 lb physique at a lower bodyfat percentage. I am against that 145 lber lifting and bulking up unnecesarily and forcing himself to fight at say 154 or so, as I think was the case with Shane Mosley. Muscle weighs more than fat, but bone is more important than either. You can't increase the size and length of your bones and your just putting yourself at a disadvantage by forcing yourself to fight longer and heavier boned opponents.

There is little point in explaining anything to these keyboard warriors who are full of their own theories as well as that stuff that belongs in the barnyard. Rocky Marciano forced his weight down to 185 for a good reason: maximum fitness is coincides with maximum useable strength in an endurance related competition. Boxing has been around for over 100 years and it has been shown repeatedly that too much mass produces too little performance. Marciano could knockout any man with one punch in any round, and he could windmill knockout punches for 15 rounds. That is what real world "strength" is all about.

Now lets wait for it......the chief nerdy-boy is about to say he would go 15 rounds with Marciano anytime!!! :boxing:

Potatoes you are a twisted bastard it wouldnt be right for me to argue with you for you know nothing of which you speak. You have won all claim to the I am full of **** hall of fame. There is no proof to any of your claims no evidence outside your opinion. Nothing yet you keep making noise. An idiot that knows not how to quit. Its like you are not even in the conversation. Off in some other world. The part I love is when you have been tagged with the truth you only lablel the owner of that statement as a nerdy little boy or the keyboard warrior. What a goof. 13 years my friend 13 yeads of hard work dedication living eating and sleeping nothing but boxing. I know the legonds you.Hold so highly. Yes in their time they were great. You can't say thay they are any better than people today. Just as I can't say they are worse.
I can say the human body is better understood today. Every sport is seeing records fall and athletes do amazing things. Its beautiful like that there is no ceiling. Boxing is not any different. Understand what you are arguing is that there is only one way. That is complete crap. Literally. Training for this sport is an individualized phenomenon. The goal gain speed, strength, stanima.
Tell me where a boxer would be wrong by enhancing and balancing those three. You can't because the very basis of what makes a fighter a fighter is those three key elements paired with his brain. The dinosaurs are no longer around for a reason. EVOLUTION.

In a case of going overboard with weight training and hypertrophy I will point to the careers of Shannon Briggs and Danny Williams as two guys who's conditioning suffered bigtime. This was more of a case of foolish use of weight training (getting as huge as possible) than a reason to condemn weightlifting however. Weightlifting has it's place when used correctly, but I am against a non-heavyweight bulking up as it pushes the athlete above his natural weightclass where he is absorbing punches from guys who have bigger frames. Vinny Pazienza was a prime example of this.

The way hypertrophy can pay off for a nonheavyweight in my opinion is if say a 145 lb fighter at 14% bodyfat loses weight and replaces it with muscle (through weight training) to achieve a 145 lb physique at a lower bodyfat percentage. I am against that 145 lber lifting and bulking up unnecesarily and forcing himself to fight at say 154 or so, as I think was the case with Shane Mosley. Muscle weighs more than fat, but bone is more important than either. You can't increase the size and length of your bones and your just putting yourself at a disadvantage by forcing yourself to fight longer and heavier boned opponents.

GodDAMN, that is a good answer.

I must spread some karma around before giving it to Kid Achilles again.

In a case of going overboard with weight training and hypertrophy I will point to the careers of Shannon Briggs and Danny Williams as two guys who's conditioning suffered bigtime. This was more of a case of foolish use of weight training (getting as huge as possible) than a reason to condemn weightlifting however. Weightlifting has it's place when used correctly, but I am against a non-heavyweight bulking up as it pushes the athlete above his natural weightclass where he is absorbing punches from guys who have bigger frames. Vinny Pazienza was a prime example of this.

The way hypertrophy can pay off for a nonheavyweight in my opinion is if say a 145 lb fighter at 14% bodyfat loses weight and replaces it with muscle (through weight training) to achieve a 145 lb physique at a lower bodyfat percentage. I am against that 145 lber lifting and bulking up unnecesarily and forcing himself to fight at say 154 or so, as I think was the case with Shane Mosley. Muscle weighs more than fat, but bone is more important than either. You can't increase the size and length of your bones and your just putting yourself at a disadvantage by forcing yourself to fight longer and heavier boned opponents.

uuum, your bones also grow bigger and stronger with strenght training.

The density improves somewhat, so the studies say, but that isn't the same as growing in size. Your arms and legs do not get long from lifting. Even then that density increasement it's only a small improvement.

Nobody knows if 20 additional pounds had improved the performance of the oldtimers (Louis...) because nobody of the oldtimers had give it a try.

Since muscles need oxigen their increasing decreases the endurance but this can be adapted to a certain degree.

Vin Pazienza was a great example of competing at way too high weight classes due to bulking up.

Vin Pazienza was a great example of competing at way too high weight classes due to bulking up.


.....yes, and there is no proof the increased bulk improved his handspeed nor his punching power.

The nerdy boys constantly harp on about that there is no proof that pumping iron "isn't" beneficial for boxers. As if anybody should be in the business of proving an negative! What they fail to mention is that there have been few if any scientific studies done on boxers. All the evidence we have is anecdotal, and the anecdotal evidence we have clearly shows that 30 years of weight lifting has produced a decline in performance in boxing.

Has it now?

Ya, all those weights really slowed Roy Jones down...

Has it now?

Ya, all those weights really slowed Roy Jones down...

Yes and just for clarification, Roy Jones employed weight training in his training before and after his move to heavyweight. Just incase someone trys to say his use of weight training was a one time deal, when I have proof that it was quite the opposite.

Has it now?

Ya, all those weights really slowed Roy Jones down...

he also goit old!

Potatoes you are a twisted bastard it wouldnt be right for me to argue with you for you know nothing of which you speak. You have won all claim to the I am full of **** hall of fame. There is no proof to any of your claims no evidence outside your opinion. Nothing yet you keep making noise. An idiot that knows not how to quit. Its like you are not even in the conversation. Off in some other world. The part I love is when you have been tagged with the truth you only lablel the owner of that statement as a nerdy little boy or the keyboard warrior. What a goof. 13 years my friend 13 yeads of hard work dedication living eating and sleeping nothing but boxing. I know the legonds you.Hold so highly. Yes in their time they were great. You can't say thay they are any better than people today. Just as I can't say they are worse.
I can say the human body is better understood today. Every sport is seeing records fall and athletes do amazing things. Its beautiful like that there is no ceiling. Boxing is not any different. Understand what you are arguing is that there is only one way. That is complete crap. Literally. Training for this sport is an individualized phenomenon. The goal gain speed, strength, stanima.
Tell me where a boxer would be wrong by enhancing and balancing those three. You can't because the very basis of what makes a fighter a fighter is those three key elements paired with his brain. The dinosaurs are no longer around for a reason. EVOLUTION.


i agree with you, to a poiunt.

Most hweavys nowasday use weights too much. they get big and strong but they are unable to kleep their workrate up.

more running and other endurance work would help but the heart and lungs cannot improve THAT much an extra 20lbs of muscle will slow you down in later rounds.

A powwerlifters routine should give you strength and power without making you huge, the reason for that is that powerlifting improves the muscle fiber fioring rate rather than increasing the size of the individual fibres

Has it now?

Ya, all those weights really slowed Roy Jones down...



.......yeah, I would agree. The videos clearly show that his speed dimished as he went up the weight divisions.

i agree with you, to a poiunt.

Most hweavys nowasday use weights too much. they get big and strong but they are unable to kleep their workrate up.

more running and other endurance work would help but the heart and lungs cannot improve THAT much an extra 20lbs of muscle will slow you down in later rounds.

A powwerlifters routine should give you strength and power without making you huge, the reason for that is that powerlifting improves the muscle fiber fioring rate rather than increasing the size of the individual fibres

THANKS YOU!!:luvbed: (no homo)

The only reason people have always been saying that weight training is 't3h 3vi1zz!!1" is because of the retards that forget to keep up with their conditioning work while lifting weights. Bigger=/ stronger all the time. Mass comes from diet, so those guys getting overly big are consuming far too many calories and not doing anywhere near enough work. There's more to weight-training than becoming Ronnie Coleman. You can train for explosiveness, pure strength that'll AIDE in your boxing training so long as you keep up your other training. People in soccer were also afraid of weight-training because they thought it'd slow them down. Until they found out about strength training and look what we have now; bigger, faster and stronger players than ever. Hell I'm one of the biggest guys on all my teams, yet I'm one of the fastest because I work mostly for strength, not just hypertrophy. Geez, I hate ignorance.

Anybody an idea why Shannon Briggs got as big as he is nowadays?
I`ve seen the fight vs. Lewis where he was much smaler (compared to today).

Did he Start bodybuilding?

For his asthmatic problems 12 Rounds should be a bigger problem with that muscle mass.