Official Height Discrepancies

[Willow The Wisp]

I see it over and over again--fighters' heights listed differently. Height does not go up and down like weight. One measurement per career ought to do it. But what if the first one is sloppy? How many writers will use that false data to perpetuate fallacy without even realizing it.



I want the skeletons of Louis, Marciano and Robinson exhumed for measurements.

Well Marciano was actually decapitated, so.....

[Willow The Wisp]

In my experience fighers are measured for height and weight during licencing physicals and have been for decades. Also, You gain 1/2" simply by inhaling and an easy 1" standing tall flat footed. It isnt like measuring a piece of steel or wood. Some wriers have overstated and understated what's been recorded by simple carelessness. BoxRec tends towards recording the lower number, always, for no particular reason.

[Willie Pep 229]

I stopped evaluating fighters by the tale of the tape when they stopped measuring ankle size.

What good is it to know height and reach if we don't know ankle size? The fight game just isn't what it use to be.

FKpmw3pXwAAEBHF.jpeg

[QueensburyRules]

In my experience fighers are measured for height and weight during licencing physicals and have been for decades. Also, You gain 1/2" simply by inhaling and an easy 1" standing tall flat footed. It isnt like measuring a piece of steel or wood. Some wriers have overstated and understated what's been recorded by simple carelessness. BoxRec tends towards recording the lower number, always, for no particular reason.

- - Boxing a poorly officiated sport not a reliable source for anything, but it's all we have. Weight is the Alpha and Omega. Boxing don't do height and reach divisions, but maybe you could start a precedent.

[them_apples]

I stopped evaluating fighters by the tale of the tape when they stopped measuring ankle size.

What good is it to know height and reach if we don't know ankle size? The fight game just isn't what it use to be.

FKpmw3pXwAAEBHF.jpeg

The wrist and ankle were often old indicators of a mans weight class. Trainers used to measure the wrist and tell them how much weight to lose lol. Give or take. Cause lets be real, especially in america - anyone can be a heavyweight

[them_apples]

the big one is Joe Louis. By the tale of the tape he comes across as Bernard Hopkins size. In photos though, beside Ali, Foreman and dwarfing Frazier and Quarry in the ring as he reffed them - its clear to see Joe Louis was a thouroughbred HW. Who trained down in weight (ate less and trained more). The same way Duran trained up in weight and was 250+ lbs by the early 00s.

[Willie Pep 229]

The wrist and ankle were often old indicators of a mans weight class. Trainers used to measure the wrist and tell them how much weight to lose lol. Give or take. Cause lets be real, especially in america - anyone can be a heavyweight

That is an interesting thought. Kind of early 'body fat' measurement. That should work.

I have a different theory as to why they did it. The US early penal systems had no way to ID prisoners, so incoming convicts were measured and these measurements were recorded and used to confirm identify if necessary. The logic being if six out of six match perfectly they probably got the right guy.

Certain measurements change, while others don't. Wrist, ankle, or reach won't change with weight loss/gain, (in theory, I really don't know if that is correct, but once believed).

I think once boxing decided to measure fighters they just applied the existing prison protocol and it took several decades for them to realize identying ankle and wrist size wasn't information necessary for evaluating a fighter and eventually dropped the measurement.

If you have ever seen the film Chicago there is a scence where the main character is being processed into prison and they are measuring her reach.*

But I can see the logic to your point. It would serve that purpose. Like we use to say as kids, watch out for fat ankles, or you'll end up with a fat wife.

Yea, yea, I know I'm a misogynistic ass hole.

* Which may be why they measured reach in that manner for so long and have, as of late, changed the process to measuring from one shoulder straight out to the fist on one arm, instead of across the shoulders. It's better information to know.

[The Old LefHook]

That is an interesting thought. Kind of early 'body fat' measurement. That should work.

I have a different theory as to why they did it. The US early penal systems had no way to ID prisoners, so incoming convicts were measured and these measurements were recorded and used to confirm identify if necessary. The logic being if six out of six match perfectly they probably got the right guy.

Certain measurements change, while others don't. Wrist, ankle, or reach won't change with weight loss/gain, (in theory, I really don't know if that is correct, but once believed).

I think once boxing decided to measure fighters they just applied the existing prison protocol and it took several decades for them to realize identying ankle and wrist size wasn't information necessary for evaluating a fighter and eventually dropped the measurement.

If you have ever seen the film Chicago there is a scence where the main character is being processed into prison and they are measuring her reach.*

But I can see the logic to your point. It would serve that purpose. Like we use to say as kids, watch out for fat ankles, or you'll end up with a fat wife.

Yea, yea, I know I'm a misogynistic ass hole.

* Which may be why they measured reach in that manner for so long and have, as of late, changed the process to measuring from one shoulder straight out to the fist on one arm, instead of across the shoulders. It's better information to know.

\

It probably is. But I figured out a long time ago that height and shoulder width contribute to reach. I wonder if measuring the new way alters the fighter's Ape Index.

[them_apples]

That is an interesting thought. Kind of early 'body fat' measurement. That should work.

I have a different theory as to why they did it. The US early penal systems had no way to ID prisoners, so incoming convicts were measured and these measurements were recorded and used to confirm identify if necessary. The logic being if six out of six match perfectly they probably got the right guy.

Certain measurements change, while others don't. Wrist, ankle, or reach won't change with weight loss/gain, (in theory, I really don't know if that is correct, but once believed).

I think once boxing decided to measure fighters they just applied the existing prison protocol and it took several decades for them to realize identying ankle and wrist size wasn't information necessary for evaluating a fighter and eventually dropped the measurement.

If you have ever seen the film Chicago there is a scence where the main character is being processed into prison and they are measuring her reach.*

But I can see the logic to your point. It would serve that purpose. Like we use to say as kids, watch out for fat ankles, or you'll end up with a fat wife.

Yea, yea, I know I'm a misogynistic ass hole.

* Which may be why they measured reach in that manner for so long and have, as of late, changed the process to measuring from one shoulder straight out to the fist on one arm, instead of across the shoulders. It's better information to know.

Very true, this was probably the reason. Kinda suited boxing as well. And yeah for sure that quote is great LOL because its an oldschool way of explaining something thats likely true.

[Ivich]

The wrist and ankle were often old indicators of a mans weight class. Trainers used to measure the wrist and tell them how much weight to lose lol. Give or take. Cause lets be real, especially in america - anyone can be a heavyweight

Louis was six feet one and a half inches tall.Source Joe Louis.