Why Are Heavyweight Boxers So Tall?

If you look at the heavyweight class nowadays you will see that it’s dominated by tall boxers. Actually, the average height of the fighters in the division is 6’4 1/2” or 194,3 cm. These are really tall boys. But why is that?

Why is the height so important factor, in the heavyweight class, compared to the lower weight classes? In general, in the heavyweight class, it’s easier for the boxers to make the necessary weight. That’s because there is no limit to that how much a fighter can weight (as long as it’s more than 200 pounds). While in the lower weight classes such as the welterweight, lightweight or featherweight classes it can be much harder. For example, to compete in the welterweight class, a boxer needs to weight no more than 147 pounds.

So if a tall boxer decides to compete in those classes, he needs to cut more weight, compared to a shorter boxer in the same division. Simply because, the shorter people, usually weight less than the taller ones. And more weight cut means more muscle mass loss and less energy, because of the fewer calories the fighter can eat. That can cause decreased explosiveness and punching power and also cardio issues, which are some of the most important factors in a boxing match. So the shorter boxers have an advantage in the lower weight classes. They can retain more muscle mass and energy, during the weight cut and be more powerful in the ring.

But the opposite is also true. The taller boxers can dominate in the heavyweight division, where there is no weight limit, using their height and reach advantages.

What means “short boxer” in the heavyweight division

One of the most famous examples of dominant short heavyweight fighter is Myke Tyson. But, actually, he isn’t as short as many people think. He is 5’10 tall, which we can say is an average height for a man.

Tyson was known as short, because of the height of the boxers he competes with. Compared to fighters like Lennox Lewis (6 ft 5 in) or Larry Holmes (6 ft 3 in) he really looked short.

We can say that in the heavyweight division every boxer under 6 ft is considered to be short. In today’s heavyweight class, there are no such boxers. The height of the shortest ones is around 6 ft 1.

But that’s because the division changed a lot through the years. For example in the 50’s Rocky Marchiano was dominating this weight class. He was 5’10 1/2 tall with a reach of only 68 in. You can see the difference if you look at the today’s champion – Anthony Joshua who is 6’6 tall and his reach is 82 in.

Could a short heavyweight be competitive in today’s division

It’s obvious that the word “short” in today’s heavyweight class and in everyday life are two very different concepts. For example, in everyday life, a man under 5’9 or 5’8 is considered to be short.

But such a man is actually too short to be even a “short boxer” in the heavyweight class. His reach will probably be too short and he won’t be able to hit his opponents from the distance where they can easily jab him. Also, chances are that this guy will need to have too much body fat or muscle mass, so he can make the minimum weight for a heavyweight (200 pounds).

Both of these options (a lot of body fat and a lot of muscle mass) can cause bad cardio, which is the last thing you want in a 12 round boxing match.

But such a fighter has a very good chance, competing in the Middleweight or in Junior Middleweight classes where the average high of the top 10 boxers is around 5’10. Because, during the weight cut before the fight, he can retain more of his muscle mass, compared to the taller boxers in the division and thus, be more explosive in the ring.

The difference in the way of fighting

Nowadays, the boxers in the heavyweight class are fighting very differently to the way that the boxers from the past century did. For example, fighters like Wladimir Klitschko take a different approach to the game, compared to the “old school boxers”.

Klitschko, one of the most dominant heavyweights of our time, used the clinch a lot so he can stop his opponent’s attacks and also make them gas out more quickly. And such a strategy can be a huge problem for a short heavyweight boxer. Every time such a boxer tries to come closer, so he can start fighting in the inside, the taller guy may use a clinch to stop him.

That happens even in the lower weight classes, for example, in the Super Middleweight class, where George Groves used a similar strategy to beat Chris Eubank Jr.

So imagine how hard it will be for a short boxer to fight against these tall, strong guys who can jab him from a long distance and then use clinching to stop him every time he comes closer.

Short or Tall boxers? Who has the advantage?

Actually, it isn’t so bad to be a short boxer. Let’s see what are the advantages of this types of fighters:

Better balance – The shorter you are, the closer is your center of gravity to the ground. That means that you have better balance than a taller person. This may not sound so cool, but in boxing can be a huge benefit, especially when you are throwing heavy punches like rear hooks or overhands. You can throw more powerful shots, than a taller boxer can, without losing your balance.

More leverage – Like Myke Tyson said when he was asked if he is worried about the height advantage of his rivals, he said that actually, it’s better to be short because your blows have more leverage. That’s because you are punching upwards, using your leg muscles more. It’s like hopping with the punches. And this is the reason why Tyson was hitting so hard, especially with his hooks and uppercuts – his power comes from the legs.

But on the flip side, the taller fighters have some advantages too:

Powerful straight punches – While the short boxers usually throw more powerful hooks and uppercuts, the longer fighters have an advantage, when it comes to straight shots. Not only they can hit their opponents from a longer distance, but the punches are also more powerful, because of the momentum they are building, traveling that distance. A great example of this is Deontay Wilder with his right hand. With his reach of 83 inches, he can put the other boxer to sleep only with one clean shot.

The footwork – In most cases, the taller boxers, have not only longer reaches but longer legs also. That means that they can cover a lot more distance with one step, compared to the shorter fighters. Thus they can escape easier if they are in a bad situation, for example, if they are pressed against the ropes. So it can be very hard for a short guy to close the distance and start fighting from the inside. Especially if the taller guy has better footwork.

Conclusion

Nowadays, it can be very hard for a short boxer to compete against all these tall guys in the heavyweight division. Such a boxer has much better chances in the lower weight divisions, where he can benefit from the advantages of his body type.

But that doesn’t mean that there may not be a great short boxer in the future. We must not forget that fighters like Myke Tyson or Rocky Marciano were underrated too, because of their height and reach disadvantages.

So, are we ever going to see a short successful heavyweight again?

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!