Does the type of body build really matter?

[six85]

Hey guys, I've noticed throughout boxing history that many great champions had different types of body builds. They can range from short and bulky to tall and lean. Nonetheless, many of these champions had great knockout power behind their punches. Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler, Joe Frazier, and Mike Tyson were short and bulky for the divisions they had fought, but still were knocking people out. Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Thomas Hearns all had "skinny" bodies but also could knock their opponents out. Is there a reason for this? I'm sure it involves other factors, natural and skilled...

[leow]

all the short fighters drank banana juice while all the tall fighters drank orange juice thats about it...

[platinummatt]

WHAT?! juice?. Its an interesting question. They all knocked people out right? Someone asked a little while ago saying they thought taller people had harder uppercuts. I said this might be because they have longer legs, so they have further to push from. Look at the physics of it, they both way the same roughly if there in the same devision right? Maybe it makes no difference. but with using the hips , if someone is very top heavy, and they turn their hips the weights going to be right there at the top behind the punch. To be honest Im confused and I dont know what Im talking about, but im trying to think.

[NJFighter91]

People are different. But usually, the buff big boned guys like Tyson, Foreman, Frazier were hard hitters. Not that they weren't fast, but they were known for strength more than speed. Skinnier lankier guys are more of speed than their power.

[PunchDrunk]

It matters as to how you should probably go about your business in the ring. Taller guys get maximum leverage, and thereby power, on straight punches from outside, whereas shorter guys get more leverage and power on hooks and uppercuts on the inside.

NJfighter, speed/power depends more on the ratio of slow twitch to fast twitch fibres, not the length of your arms. Like I stated above, the lanky guys need to stay outside to utilize their biomechanical advantages, where short guys need to do the opposite.
Actually, a short power guy like Mike Tyson was FASTER than pretty much any other heavyweight (remember, speed x weight = power, and Tyson wasn't the heaviest of heavies, which means speed in his punches gave him power) in history, even Ali. He had to get inside, to get in range though, and Ali would have obviously have tried to hit him BEFORE he got in range. If Ali succeeded with this, Tyson could have ended up looking slow, but that was more because of a reach disadvantage than because of speed. You get what I'm saying?

[eazy_mas]

I think it does.

some people have winder shoulder they have longer jabs and control there opponent better. on example is Jermian Taylor 27" reach damn its a laser beam.

Tyson have very musclulary body.

You could have genetic but there is also training which makes you stronger and faster.

[Verstyle]

People are different. But usually, the buff big boned guys like Tyson, Foreman, Frazier were hard hitters. Not that they weren't fast, but they were known for strength more than speed. Skinnier lankier guys are more of speed than their power.

he was more known for his speed

[Verstyle]

as u can see my body is muscluar.but my muscles r very compact and they even feel really compact when im punching or going up the stairs.its like a super workout. i dont think it matters on body shape. i've sparred ppl smaller then me that hit pretty ****in hard and u couldnt tell by there age or size

[JoeTheRock7]

I don't know where i stand then. I am short at 5 foot 6 inches but i have 25 inch arms and i think a 70 inch reach. I dont wanna sound ****y but i am training for the lightweight division and in that division i am pretty fast and very strong.

[speedoverpower0]

I think it does.

some people have winder shoulder they have longer jabs and control there opponent better. on example is Jermian Taylor 27" reach damn its a laser beam.

Tyson have very musclulary body.

You could have genetic but there is also training which makes you stronger and faster.

(This is based on Build rather than height and reach)
Thats What Im thinking man, Its a lot on technique and even if you spent your whole life trying to make your body look like tyson it still wont work because of your genetics. You may not be visually strong, but your strong still. say this example: Some small guy is getting pushed around by some fathead that thinks he's a big shot and does all the rowing and weights. They get into a fight, If the small guy isn't powerful but KNOWS HOW to throw a punch the other guy will get smashed, (Unless this guy is on steriods or also knows how to fight) If you knock them down because you hit them well because of your technique well then its gonna make you look like your strong. (Kostya said this many times in his biography that lots of his punches weren't all that powerful, just well thrown and timed)

That being said you will need some strength but your body build. look will be based on genetics and will not play a big factor