does size make a difference when it comes to speed?

[Domey]

look at ali he weighed 200 pounds and he is probably the fastest fighter of all time

Ali was not the fastest of all time or anywhere close to it. One of the fastest heavyweights of all time? Sure, but of all fighters? No.

To the main subject, smaller fighters are usually more nimble and quicker, as larger fighters are more stronger and hit harder.

Now of course there are some smaller fighters, that are stronger then the average "bigger" person, as there are some bigger fighters that are quicker then the average smaller person. A lot of these bigger fighters that have a lot of speed, where originally fighting at lower weights and moved up.

But of course, some people are just naturally gifted with speed, or power, or even sometimes both.

[fraidycat]

Hand speed is largely a function of perception. Even a big guy can develop speed if he works with a video camera and a mirror and really concentrates on stripping out all excess motion.

As far as the ability to throw flurries of punches nonstop the way lighter weight classes do, that is largely a function of VO2 max, which is the amount of oxygen an athlete consumes while exercising. You can train to achieve a higher VO2 max, but generally speaking, smaller fighters have proportionally larger hearts and lungs, which give them better aerobic capacity. With aerobic capacity comes that ability to keep coming at you like one of the zombies on 28 Days Later.

[Sam D. Menace]

Hand speed is largely a function of perception. Even a big guy can develop speed if he works with a video camera and a mirror and really concentrates on stripping out all excess motion.

As far as the ability to throw flurries of punches nonstop the way lighter weight classes do, that is largely a function of VO2 max, which is the amount of oxygen an athlete consumes while exercising. You can train to achieve a higher VO2 max, but generally speaking, smaller fighters have proportionally larger hearts and lungs, which give them better aerobic capacity. With aerobic capacity comes that ability to keep coming at you like one of the zombies on 28 Days Later.

no they dont.....
just moving smaller muscles and with smaller frame and lighter bones takes up less oxygen than being 6'6 packing over 200 pounds

[fraidycat]

no they dont.....
just moving smaller muscles and with smaller frame and lighter bones takes up less oxygen than being 6'6 packing over 200 pounds

Hence the word "proportionally."

[Shadow boxer 3]

normally smaller fighters are faster and tend to throw more punches per round than heavier fighters. there are some exceptions like Ali and tyson. they were very, very fast for HWs. RJJ is also extremely fast for his weight.

[paul750]

Hand speed is largely a function of perception. Even a big guy can develop speed if he works with a video camera and a mirror and really concentrates on stripping out all excess motion.

As far as the ability to throw flurries of punches nonstop the way lighter weight classes do, that is largely a function of VO2 max, which is the amount of oxygen an athlete consumes while exercising. You can train to achieve a higher VO2 max, but generally speaking, smaller fighters have proportionally larger hearts and lungs, which give them better aerobic capacity. With aerobic capacity comes that ability to keep coming at you like one of the zombies on 28 Days Later.

That's why some people are still having wet dreams about Ike Ibeabuchi, ten years after he last stepped into a boxing ring. He had a very rare gift for a man his size.