Why doesn't size matter in HW division?

[paul750]

Size doesn't matter nearly as much as this forum believes.

It just makes a convenient excuse when a bigger fighter wins, and it also gives critics a reason to detract from a victory.

In the past month alone we have seen.

1) Tomasz Adamek, a former 175lber, beat the stuffing out of a bigger stronger Heavy
2) Zsolt Erdei show up at 178lbs and win a Cruiserweight title giving up almost 20lbs
3) David Haye taking a Heavyweight Title belt off a man 100lbs bigger
4) A former Flyweight run roughshod over one of the best Welterweights in the game.

When are people gonna wise up that skill trumps size 90% of the time?

A good bigger fighter will mostly beat a good smaller man though. It's been said over and over again, but it really is that simple. It just so happens that there hasn't been that many good big men at heavyweight. Something is always wrong. They're either mentally not there, or have weak chins, or something else. I wouldn't say it matters so much in MMA as they're doing everything [or as close to everything that we see in combat sports]. But in boxing, a fight involving two men of equal ability should result in the bigger man winning.

Lots of bigger men don't use their height to their advantage. Honestly, the heavyweights are that bad it's not worth having this debate.

[PensionKiller]

Yeah but why isn't there a huge emphasis on weight and size like in the lower divisions. I know it makes a difference; but why double standards?

If you are 5.5 then a 5.8 person is a big difference. Even 3 lbs can make difference at 112lbs.

At world level it plays a big role because at this level everything counts.

At heavyweights 3 lbs is a lot less % difference than at 130 for example. Also at heavyweight you can have an advantae by being smaller because someone at 250 may be a lot slower than 220.

[PensionKiller]

Size doesn't matter nearly as much as this forum believes.

It just makes a convenient excuse when a bigger fighter wins, and it also gives critics a reason to detract from a victory.

In the past month alone we have seen.

1) Tomasz Adamek, a former 175lber, beat the stuffing out of a bigger stronger Heavy
2) Zsolt Erdei show up at 178lbs and win a Cruiserweight title giving up almost 20lbs
3) David Haye taking a Heavyweight Title belt off a man 100lbs bigger
4) A former Flyweight run roughshod over one of the best Welterweights in the game.

When are people gonna wise up that skill trumps size 90% of the time?

Adamek is in prime ad fought someone way out.

All these examples are of being guys. Weight is a lot more important the lower you go.

Manny and Floyd are rare. An average small guy VS an average bigger guy will lose.

[Boxingwizard]

Their were some boxers who were simply too small for heavyweight such as Chris Byrd and Michael Moorer.

Today's modern heavyweights (well the Americans) are out of shape and not highly skilled, except for Eddie Chambers.

[Boxingwizard]

It's a very good point! I've always maintained on this website that people put waaaay to much emphasis on size and while it can be a big factor, it's not always that important (as shown time and time again with pacquiao).

One thing to point out though is that heavyweights, no matter the size, are used to fighting other heavyweights, meaning they're used to getting hit hard and dealing with naturally big guys.

Smaller guys moving up in weight some times are in over their heads when they first feel the difference in power, because they're used to fighting guys their own size or even smaller. That's why I think guys like Pacquiao, who constantly spar with bigger & stronger guys makes a HUGE difference. It's all about training and sparring imo. Pacquiao didn't get hurt by Cotto because he was sparring with guys that actually hit harder then cotto.

It boils down to if the boxer is in shape, has the skills to compete, and at least big enough to compete with the larger heavyweights.

[Boxingwizard]

Skills and getting in shape is a lot more important than size in the heavyweight division. This will be proven a fact once Eddie Chambers beats Wladimir Klitschko.

[thebowtod]

Size doesn't matter nearly as much as this forum believes.

It just makes a convenient excuse when a bigger fighter wins, and it also gives critics a reason to detract from a victory.

In the past month alone we have seen.

1) Tomasz Adamek, a former 175lber, beat the stuffing out of a bigger stronger Heavy
2) Zsolt Erdei show up at 178lbs and win a Cruiserweight title giving up almost 20lbs
3) David Haye taking a Heavyweight Title belt off a man 100lbs bigger
4) A former Flyweight run roughshod over one of the best Welterweights in the game.

When are people gonna wise up that skill trumps size 90% of the time?

1.Adamek, hasn't proven yet cause he did face a wash up. And he has true heavy weight power.

2. I honestly don't know who Zsolt is
3. Again, he has heavyweight power and chin
4.the flyweight has gained soooo much muscle and he was 16 when he started.

[RightCross94]

Size is a factor in every weight class in boxing but it's not the be all and end all and can be overcome

But you have to remember, for every David Haye beating a Valuev, every Mayweather beating a Corrales or DLH, every Calderon beating a Cazares, theres a DLH losing to Hopkins, Duran losing to Hearns, Margarito beating Cotto, Fenech vs many of his opponents.........

[Heru]

Size doesn't matter nearly as much as this forum believes.

It just makes a convenient excuse when a bigger fighter wins, and it also gives critics a reason to detract from a victory.

In the past month alone we have seen.

1) Tomasz Adamek, a former 175lber, beat the stuffing out of a bigger stronger Heavy
2) Zsolt Erdei show up at 178lbs and win a Cruiserweight title giving up almost 20lbs
3) David Haye taking a Heavyweight Title belt off a man 100lbs bigger
4) A former Flyweight run roughshod over one of the best Welterweights in the game.

When are people gonna wise up that skill trumps size 90% of the time?

For every example you can give, I can give 2 of the opposite.

There's no way a man with the skills of Valuev would be able to compete at heavyweight if he didn't have a 70-100 pound advantage every time he steps in the ring.

20 pounds in the higher weight divisions is an advantage whichever way you look at it.

[beez721]

Skills and getting in shape is a lot more important than size in the heavyweight division. This will be proven a fact once Eddie Chambers beats Wladimir Klitschko.

lol,,can u ever make a post without mentioning eddie chambers? anyway,,if chambers couldnt get past povetkin he sure as hell isnt getting by wlad