Does being physically fit give European heavyweights an advantage over Americans?

[dans]

So many American heavyweights like Arreola, Estrada, Toney, Chambers, and Peter (lives in the US) are carrying around pot bellies.

Yet I see European heavyweights like Pianeta, Dimitrenko, Boytsov, the Klitschkos, Pala, Kretschmann, the Roths, and *****ko always coming to fight in reasonably good shape.

Some like Povetkin are a little plump, but that's natural for some Russian people - but you never see the really large bellies on these guys like you see on Chris Koval and Byron Polley.

Do the extra pounds put the American heavyweights at a disadvantage? I know if someone is highly skilled, they can still win despite being overweight, but they will definitely have less stamina.

America's best heavyweights don't box, you can be sure of that. I'd like to see Vitali in the ring with some premier American athletes (had they been boxers). Imagine Vitali or Wlad looking at this across the ring.



Instead of:

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

Oh absolutely. But even Tua in his younger days didn't look fat like Arreola, he just looked solid. Another problem with these heavyweights is how heavy they think they should be. There seems to be a misconception that coming in like a whale will enable them to take a punch better and also to hit harder. Coming it at 260lbs will not enable you to take a punch better than if you were 225lbs. Why do these guys even want to be slower anyway. It's just pathetic.

I agree but again, I think the examples used aren't very good ones. I don't think Arreola would ever look like Mike Tyson or Vlad Klitchko, no matter what he does.

It's called genetics.

I used Juan Diaz as a great example. People used to question his build and stamina until they saw him go 12 rounds non stop. The guy is in phenominal shape but he just can't lose that "baby fat" he's built in his body, especially the mid section and the guy trains like an animal.

[dans]

I agree but again, I think the examples used aren't very good ones. I don't think Arreola would ever look like Mike Tyson or Vlad Klitchko, no matter what he does.

It's called genetics.

I used Juan Diaz as a great example. People used to question his build and stamina until they saw him go 12 rounds non stop. The guy is in phenominal shape but he just can't lose that "baby fat" he's built in his body, especially the mid section and the guy trains like an animal.

What about Eddie Chambers, I think he could easily be a cruiserweight with all that belly fat he has.

[Ben_London.]

America's best heavyweights don't box, you can be sure of that. I'd like to see Vitali in the ring with some premier American athletes (had they been boxers).

Are you referring to guys like the 7' Julius Long?

He was KOed in the first round a few months ago by Alexander Ustinov.

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

What about Eddie Chambers, I think he could easily be a cruiserweight with all that belly fat he has.

To be honest I'm not very familiar with Chambers body type. I have't seen him enough in his younger days to know what type of build he has or had.

Like I said, some fighters just can't lose the weight. Some can and that's lazyness but there are many fighters that are just built the way they are.

[dans]

Are you referring to guys like the 7' Julius Long?

He was KOed in the first round a few months ago by Alexander Ustinov.

I'll take the Julius Long comment as a joke. Because if you think Julius Long is an elite American athlete, you don't have cable.

Why would American athletes want to be a heavyweight when they can make more money with more endorsements in other sports? Without all the punches.

[dans]

To be honest I'm not very familiar with Chambers body type. I have't seen him enough in his younger days to know what type of build he has or had.

Like I said, some fighters just can't lose the weight. Some can and that's lazyness but there are many fighters that are just built the way they are.

Looks like he has been as light as 207. To me it looks like he's carrying a lot of excess baggage.

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

I'll take the Julius Long comment as a joke. Because if you think Julius Long is an elite American athlete, you don't have cable.

Why would American athletes want to be a heavyweight when they can make more money with more endorsements in other sports? Without all the punches.

That's the main reason the HW division is what it is today. Mostly because larger American athletes are playing in the NBA and NFL.

[Pullcounter]

definitely the poor conditining of american HW is to their detriment.

[dans]

That's the main reason the HW division is what it is today. Mostly because larger American athletes are playing in the NBA and NFL.

Yup, exactly. So even though America doesn't have a good heavyweight scene and Europeans have been dominating, just remember this.