Mikey Garcia doesnt do any strength training just sparring & running

[Robbie Barrett]

All the muscles needed to throw punches are going to get plenty of work by throwing punches eveyday. Don't really need strength training.

[GelfSara]

Well running would definitely benefit his stamina and cardio conditioning. I really don't understand the benefits of strength training than other than moving up in weight, increasing a fighters short burst of speed and perhaps their power and durability.

Mikey Garcia does run.

As to the benefits of a properly-designed strength-training program, imagine a Mikey Garcia who:

1) Punched harder,

2) Punched faster,

3) Moved around the ring more quickly,

4) Could take harder punches without being hurt, knocked down or knocked out,

5) Had greater endurance (whether measured as total punches thrown or total energy of those punches per round or over the course of a fight), and

6) Was less susceptible to injury in general.

[GelfSara]

A lot of old school boxers didnt. Holyfield is the guy that brought serious strength training to the game.

Holyfield was certainly one of the first to combine serious weight training with serious anabolic steroid use, but if I wanted to credit a single fighter I would look a few years earlier, at Michael Spinks, under the tutelage of Mackie Shilstone.

See, for example:

https://www.si.com/vault/1985/10/07/620972/a-champ-with-strange-ideas

http://articles.latimes.com/1985-11-14/sports/sp-2510_1_weight-training

Shilstone would later go on to work with Rid**** Bowe, Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones, Jr., and Andre Ward.

Of course, there were truly "old school" fighters who did lift--just not many of them, and it's unclear to me how serious their lifting programs actually were. Bob Fitzsimmons was one.

[GelfSara]

Well seems to be working just fine for him. If it ain’t broke then don’t fix it

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is one perspective.

"Always seek to improve" is another, opposing mindset.

If Mikey favors the first mindset, it is likely that he will not change his training until he loses a fight.

[TJ highway]

If it ain't broke, why try to fix it?

[Vinnykin]

Wasn't Calzaghe similar? I'm sure he done mostly road work and cardio to get in shape.

[mp1110]

There is zero downside in a solid strength training program. A good coach won’t break his fighters.

[Zaroku]

So many conditioning 'experts' here lol...

Strength training can (and often does) benefit a fighter, no doubt.

But, some guys have the right balance of natural athleticism and muscular balance from birth.

I like Garcia's approach tbh, he is saying FU to all the crossfit, gym **** type and basically taking the line that his skills and roadwork will bring him the win.

All these boxers pushing weight sleds and flipping tractor tyres cough up a lung after 6 rounds lol...

Perfect post... kisses... no ****..

[Tom Cruise]

Why do people keep saying this??? Old school boxers did alot of BASIC calisthenics....Push ups, pull ups, sit ups, and they did alot of medicine ball work.

They also did a lot of the things you still see today like Dempsey using resistance bands and other fighters I’ve seen hitting tires with sledge hammers and using big axes etc.

These old school guys were fit, strong and very well conditioned no doubt. But, if Mikeys regime works for him, and I have him around 6ish P4P, then all power to him.

Not like he is lacking power is it

[Idunnoshet]

Sparring, bag punching and shadow boxing built up the muscle needed for hard punching. What better way to build punching speed, punching power and punching accuracy than actually punching bags and sparring. Most of the old time greats didn't lift weights. They trained like Mikey and were strong enough and hit hard enough. I haven't noticed any lack of strength or punching power from Mikey in his outstanding pro career. His training seems to get him ready for battle.

Agree 100 .
I've spoken to some pretty mainstream boxing coaches who Hate the whole S&C thing .