Does a fighter lose punching power with age?

[46-0]

Joe Calzaghe
Marco Antonio Barrera
Roy Jones Jr.

Those are 3 of the more notable examples. I have often heard the saying that the last thing to leave a fighter is his punch, but is that actually true? There is 3 fighters who scored alot of knockouts throughout their careers but then after reaching early 30's the stoppages seemed to... stop coming. This is not an isolated thing, it happens to many fighters.

Any thoughts?

[ellwise69]

maybe an increase in the class of competition as their profile is raised maybe?

Calzaghe's got bad hands though and RJJ's power came from his reflexes, which over the years have gotten slower.

[Silencers]

Yes, it does leave a fighter as a fighter gets older but it's normally the last thing to go unless the fighter relies on his speed and legs to generate power, speed and legs are normally the first to go with age.

[ironjab]

Yes, it does leave a fighter as a fighter gets older but it's normally the last thing to go unless the fighter relies on his speed and legs to generate power, speed and legs are normally the first to go with age.

agreed, punching power is a combination of things, not just strength

[synchronize]

couldnt of said it better siliencer and iron jab

[Dynamite Kid]

Joe Calzaghe
Marco Antonio Barrera
Roy Jones Jr.

Those are 3 of the more notable examples. I have often heard the saying that the last thing to leave a fighter is his punch, but is that actually true? There is 3 fighters who scored alot of knockouts throughout their careers but then after reaching early 30's the stoppages seemed to... stop coming. This is not an isolated thing, it happens to many fighters.

Any thoughts?

I wouldn't say loses punching power, but their punches lose the same effect, because they are slower and dont have the same velocity,accuracy on them.

[Oasis_Lad]

Fighters have certain attributes which could deteriorate and thus effect their punching power, but yes, generally power is seen as the last thing to leave a fighter.

[Burning Desire]

Joe Calzaghe
Marco Antonio Barrera
Roy Jones Jr.

Those are 3 of the more notable examples. I have often heard the saying that the last thing to leave a fighter is his punch, but is that actually true? There is 3 fighters who scored alot of knockouts throughout their careers but then after reaching early 30's the stoppages seemed to... stop coming. This is not an isolated thing, it happens to many fighters.

Any thoughts?

There not really good examples at all to be honest, Joe Calzaghe hasn't had power for years because of his bad hands not because of age. MAB has moved up way above his best weight, which is why he hasn't got that same kind of hitting power anymore.

And Roy Jones still has power he just isn't as offensive anymore, and because he has slowed down. Because remember Roy Jones used to be so fast, alot of his power generated from his lightning quick speed.

I think the last thing to go is your punch no matter what age, unless your moving up way above your weight or ETC. Take guys like Archie Moore, George Foreman, they were still doing a number on opponents in the 40s.

And Jersey Joe Walcott landed one of the hardest and most beautiful punches. To be beat Ezzard Charles and become Heavyweight champion at 37. The only thing that goes like someone said is accuracy, velocity, which is from slowing down not losing power.

[BetterCallSaul]

Of course you lose natural punching power with age.

That's like saying do you "age with age". As you get older your muscles and bones deteriorate.

[strugler]

George Foreman was still pretty strong?