Because of this, the only greatly developed muscles you want would be the ones that have a functional value to you --even then big does not equal strong. Having huge biceps, pecs, etc. can cost you critical amounts of oxygen in the later rounds, especially with keeping your hands up and maintaining proper form.
The best way to build "functional" muscle is through exercises based on the movements and mechanics used in boxing. That's why the heavy bag, speed bag, jump rope, etc methods have not changed for decades if not over a century.
The answer to your second question: Best P4P guys have typically been in the smaller weight classes for a couple reasons: (1) the average male demographic fits in that category, so it's more competitive (2) it's harder to be a one trick pony in those weight classes. You have to have the balance between speed, strength, technique, and endurance.
Muscular functionality.
Weight training shortens and tightens muscle fibers. It also denses the muscle and makes it much more difficult to carry.
Calisthenics (push ups\pull ups etc) give you the benefit of strengthening but not with the added stressor or shortening muscle range. Such as the gym rats who cant straighten their arms because their biceps are too tight.
You have to be careful how much you incorporate weight lifting into dynamic sports. Thats why alot of guys in the NFL are going out on groin tears or knee tendon issues without getting hit. A tight muscle will tear.
In the case of boxing all of your moves are dynamic and involve inertia...which also means the iniertia has to be STOPPED. Without some flexibility you will cause muscle tears. It happened to Klit when he fought Chris Byrd.
This is also why P90X was used by the Ravens defense in the post season two years ago...its a balance of both resistance training and calisthenics.
I beg to disagree, sir. Most boxers today incorporate weight training in their routine. They just don't lift as much as, say football or basketball players, but they do lift for added strength and power. The myth that lifting weights would make them too big and slow them down has long been debunked not just in boxing but in all other sports as well. The best and most recent example here is Juan Manuel Marquez. JMM, prior to the 4th Pacquiao fight, had a solid, heavy lifting program that turned him into a stronger and more vicious puncher.
some do but it really depends on the size of the boxer. usually the big boxers lift weights to gain strength and power but smaller boxer don't as much because it adds weight and reduces speed. small boxers are faster because their arms have to travel less distance. bigger boxers are not as fast so they rely on power but they get tired out easily, this is why small boxers win, they tire out their large opponents and usually win.
See the fight between Tavoris Cloud vs Gabriel Campillo.
Or even Gabriel Campillo vs Beibut Shumenov.
Muscle is heavy and can tire you out fast and can slow you down in a fight.But it depends on what bodytype or style you fight. If being a powerhouse brawler is your style, then go ahead and live on muscles and KO power.
The same reason most weight lifters don't box
Is it because they don't want to gain weight and move up in weight class? Also, is it just a coincidence that the two best pound per pound boxers in the world are "small"?
