Will we ever see a Heavyweight Champion under 6' again?

forever is a very long time, but i'm very confident that the majority of all HW champions will be over six feet tall moving forward. the majority of the HW champions have been six feet + for a very long time. most of the great Hw are over six feet. louis was 6'2" ali was 6'3" even jack johnson was 6' and a half inch. frazier was 5'11" marciano was 5'11" tyson was 5'10 that's close to 6'. height is important at HW. reach is even more important. it makes things a hell of a lot easier in a division where guys are standing at arms' length and trading jabs, concerned about the power of virtually every opponent.

Possible, but probably not.

On Instagram he has claimed ranging from 5'10 (an apparent joke) to 6ft 4. But he seems to complain a lot about taller fighters in sparring and such. I'd guess he's about 191.5-192cm, or 6ft 3.5. Probably like Pulev. To the OP's question - a titlist, maybe...but unlikely. "the" champ? Nah, I don't see it. He's just kidding. He's a real good dude, he's really truthful and honest. Just watch a few of his interviews and it would be hard to not be a fan. He's physically a huge guy, he's built like a bull. I think he weighs around 250 for his fights, he does so a lot of weights so I'm not surprised. I think he's worked in fury's, vitali's, wlad's and even Wilder's camps so standing at 6'3 he would still be dwarfed by all 4 of them.

He's 6'3 and he's a beast. On Instagram he has claimed ranging from 5'10 (an apparent joke) to 6ft 4. But he seems to complain a lot about taller fighters in sparring and such. I'd guess he's about 191.5-192cm, or 6ft 3.5. Probably like Pulev. To the OP's question - a titlist, maybe...but unlikely. "the" champ? Nah, I don't see it.

How tall is Dillian Whyte? Do you rate whyte? not seen any of his fights. He looks like at least 6 foot though for sure. He's 6'3 and he's a beast.

How tall is Dillian Whyte? Do you rate whyte? not seen any of his fights. He looks like at least 6 foot though for sure.

How tall is Dillian Whyte?

if prime tyson was around he would be heavyweight champ right now. So yeah it's possible. Thing is tyson wasn't just a once in a generation type beast he was a once in a ... well who knows when kinda beast.

when i used to box i used to fair much better with guys taller than me, as my style was based around head movement and power punching/body work, the taller the better for me, but then again i wasnt a heavy weight.. i definetly think there could be, mike tyson faught some really tall opponents, all it takes is the right talent to come through

WHY do you always have to make a nutbag post? Your obviously not dumb so why act it? We all know this is boxing and the physical parameters are not the main deal, it's in the skills mostly obviously! The taller fighter has to try keep the opponent at range and the shorter opponents has to try get within that range to his own (and either stay there or get in and out). There are guys that excel at both. Wladimir Klitschko is the best ever at doing the first imo, and Mike Tyson the best ever at doing the latter. But my main point is, is that.. The taller guys job, all things equal, is much easier! It does not require the same maniacal reflexes and conditioning to keep up with and you can have a much longer career. Being tall without skills is not that much of a benefit but any boxer who is tall and knows how and is effective at utilising that range has an enormous benefit. What is your point of contention with my post? Don't go on and ramble incoherently about a load of crap - be very specific so we can both save ourselves some time. Tell me what you wish to debate with me about and I will happy engage you.

It all depends on the individual. Personally, I think either Tyson, Frazier, or maybe even Marciano could have beaten Wladimir Klitschko......and that's not a slap at the champ, styles make fights and those three were very special individuals. If a man believes in himself enough, trains hard enough, and is dedicated to his goal enough, anything is possible.

it's possible. of course, whoever said boxer is, he's probably going to have to be mike tyson on steroids. a super athlete with super ability. since most of these super heavys are pretty much more athetic, better boxing, primo carneras. it's an arms race with nature. basically, a bo jackson with mayweather's schooling.

Height and reach can be negated very easily with feet and/or head movement. If you watch the opening round of Tyson vs Lewis, you'd notice that Mike was actually able to trade jabs with Lewis even though he had a 13 inch reach disadvantage by using a bit of feet and upper body. Problem is not many people know how to do this nowadays. WHY do you always have to make a nutbag post? Your obviously not dumb so why act it? We all know this is boxing and the physical parameters are not the main deal, it's in the skills mostly obviously! The taller fighter has to try keep the opponent at range and the shorter opponents has to try get within that range to his own (and either stay there or get in and out). There are guys that excel at both. Wladimir Klitschko is the best ever at doing the first imo, and Mike Tyson the best ever at doing the latter. But my main point is, is that.. The taller guys job, all things equal, is much easier! It does not require the same maniacal reflexes and conditioning to keep up with and you can have a much longer career. Being tall without skills is not that much of a benefit but any boxer who is tall and knows how and is effective at utilising that range has an enormous benefit.

Taller athletes seem to have happened in all sports period...not just boxing. i don't know where they came from or why but in the last 20 years...more so the last 10 they are obviously more of a factor. Maybe it's the water or global warming. In any event I doubt the shorter heavyweights can compete and that there will ever be one shorter than 6'-5". He used to extend his long leg way out there to keep his opponents out of reach and just wear them down with low loose hands. It was easy for him basically because of his height.

Not likely. Sparring someone even a few inches taller is difficult. I think its a testament to how good Tyson actually was. He mitigated his lack of hight with unbelievable head movement, speed and technique to get on the inside of his taller opponents jab.

It would need to be a very disciplined fighter with a very good coach. The fighters who have fought Wlad just get discouraged and can't think their way past the jab and obviously didn't have enough prep to fight a giant. If there was a Heavyweight that threw nonstop on the inside like Brandon Rios, but more polished defensively, it could be a bit interesting to see that nowadays.

Height and reach can be negated very easily with feet and/or head movement. If you watch the opening round of Tyson vs Lewis, you'd notice that Mike was actually able to trade jabs with Lewis even though he had a 13 inch reach disadvantage by using a bit of feet and upper body. Problem is not many people know how to do this nowadays.

How tall is Andy Ruiz lololol

I don't know if you've ever gotten in the ring with a much taller fighter but it's an absolute nightmare. I'm 6'2 and I haven't sparred or fought a lot of taller guys but I've fought against some 6'6+ and above and it's not fun. I sparred with this 6'8 visitor at my gym once and it was almost impossible to hit him. His head always felt out of range. He would dangle his head almost in range for me to hit, and then pull back whenever I made a move. I kept hitting nothing but air. Jabs were completely innefective and even if I touched him, it felt like a tap and I wasn't hitting him with my full weight because I was reaching and out of form. Hooks and uppercuts were out of the question unless I was countering him but he was always keeping me at the end of his jab. Even his body felt out of range because his humongous tree arms were keeping me out side of hitting distance. The only shot that felt effective was my straight left(i'm a southpaw) if I could time it right and shoot it fast enough while he wasn't moving backwards. Fighting a much taller fighter is an overwhelming obstacle. You have to be a master of the science to get away with it. It depends on one's style, but height is not always an advantage. By the way, regarding your sparrings. Normally tall guys are vulnerable to feints. They thend to do exactly what you said , get out of range. Of course it depends on how good they (and you) are, but if you manage to have them move when you want, then they are in trouble. The most basic trap I can think of is to feint a right hand to the head,( lead or as part of a 1-2). If they react to it by just pulling back, you'll normally be able to slip in with a left hook or a left uppercut to the body. Rangy guys normally -hate- body shots, and become very tentative. Not saying you can beat every single 'tall fighter' by using such simple tricks, just thought I could maybe help :) As for the the TS question , I agree with Lewis , it's not impossible, but unlikely. Not only because of height, weight and reach could be a bigger disadvantage for a guy so small, imo.

Historically the optimum height was 6'2" but of course that includes all eras so obviously the optimum height has increased along with increased weight and improved training because the taller the boxer the more challenging the balance and some other factors. Mike Tyson is the only notable great champ in my book that was less than 6' and still a thrashing machine in a modern era with big+athletic boys. I concur with 80's fighter, evidence clearly shows Mike struggling with bigger guys more and now that 6'3-6'4" is a "regular" height now, Mike wouldn't fare nearly as dominantly anymore. Of course Mike would still crunch through many a contender but his longevity would be far less. I think this is the only reasonable opinion. So no I can't see any sub 6 footer really playing a major factor in the division again. I would like to see something like a 6'2" version of Mike Tyson, that'd be nice!!