Thread: How much does belly fat affect a boxer's speed/technique

I know it sounds like a REALLY stupid question to ask, but I'd like to know the answer to it, and for those of you who read this and respond, I appreciate it.

My main question is concerning belly fat and how much it affects a boxer's performance, in sparring or competition.

I would like to know if it slows down the speed of punching at all, and I mean in the sense of technique. I think that having belly fat slows down the speed of a punch, because you're having to put your body weight into your punches by twisting your hips, and having weight on your stomach slows this down. However, I'm guessing on this, so I'd like to hear what you all have to say.

I do know for a fact that it slows down your movement when boxing, you'll be slower moving in with a punch.

What are your thoughts?

When I had to cut weight, and essentially lost a lot of my body fat doing so for a fight, I also lost speed, power and energy. Felt like shit too.

Shortly after, had to gain weight for a fight, and lost the 'pretty ab' look...but gained speed IMO, and power and felt a hell of a lot better.

I think core strength is one thing. I mean, core strength I believe will help with speed and power and overall effectiveness for boxing. In both delivering and receiving blows.

I think having a bit of fat, not an overabundance of it, is likely the healthier way to go and if anything, will help more with speed then a fat depleted body per se.

Originally Posted by BoxingDude66

I know it sounds like a REALLY stupid question to ask, but I'd like to know the answer to it, and for those of you who read this and respond, I appreciate it.

My main question is concerning belly fat and how much it affects a boxer's performance, in sparring or competition.

I would like to know if it slows down the speed of punching at all, and I mean in the sense of technique. I think that having belly fat slows down the speed of a punch, because you're having to put your body weight into your punches by twisting your hips, and having weight on your stomach slows this down. However, I'm guessing on this, so I'd like to hear what you all have to say.

I do know for a fact that it slows down your movement when boxing, you'll be slower moving in with a punch.

What are your thoughts?

Speaking as someone who has trained whilst both fat/thin I'll throw in my $0.02.

If you mean overweight, then I would say it affects overall movement speed - foot speed that you mention.

I don't think it affects rotation so much - again depends on how much bodyfat you are talking about.

I would not agree that it affects hand speed.

But what the hell do I know. Butterbean did ok

Its trying to maintain your base weight,and maintaining that. Easier said then done,because half the time if you get called,the phone call involves the phrase,"Can he come down in weight"
If your weight drained your going to feel like hell,but at the same time you dont want to be carrying too much body fat just to come up in weight.

Originally Posted by BoxingDude66

I know it sounds like a REALLY stupid question to ask, but I'd like to know the answer to it, and for those of you who read this and respond, I appreciate it.

My main question is concerning belly fat and how much it affects a boxer's performance, in sparring or competition.

I would like to know if it slows down the speed of punching at all, and I mean in the sense of technique. I think that having belly fat slows down the speed of a punch, because you're having to put your body weight into your punches by twisting your hips, and having weight on your stomach slows this down. However, I'm guessing on this, so I'd like to hear what you all have to say.

I do know for a fact that it slows down your movement when boxing, you'll be slower moving in with a punch.

What are your thoughts?

Well all people are different take Riddick Bowe for example he was always a bit chubby, and would keep all his attributes that way. As soon as he dropped his weight against Andrew Golota in there rematch.

He looked in the best shape of his life he was nice a slim, but he was actually weak and and he had no legs. I've never been chubby or fat so i can't really answer that question.

I used to be really slim and although i had speed i was weak as shit, i put on alot of weight and also hit the weights so the added weight would turn into muscle.

And i felt much better not only did i keep my speed i also felt much stronger/fitter ETC. I know if i was carrying a bit of tummy fat around the midsection it wouldn't work for me it all.

I like being lean/toned i feel i can take body punches well, im at my fittest and all my attributes are at 100 percent.

Originally Posted by ICB

Originally Posted by BoxingDude66

I know it sounds like a REALLY stupid question to ask, but I'd like to know the answer to it, and for those of you who read this and respond, I appreciate it.

My main question is concerning belly fat and how much it affects a boxer's performance, in sparring or competition.

I would like to know if it slows down the speed of punching at all, and I mean in the sense of technique. I think that having belly fat slows down the speed of a punch, because you're having to put your body weight into your punches by twisting your hips, and having weight on your stomach slows this down. However, I'm guessing on this, so I'd like to hear what you all have to say.

I do know for a fact that it slows down your movement when boxing, you'll be slower moving in with a punch.

What are your thoughts?

Well all people are different take Riddick Bowe for example he was always a bit chubby, and would keep all his attributes that way. As soon as he dropped his weight against Andrew Golota in there rematch.

He looked in the best shape of his life he was nice a slim, but he was actually weak and and he had no legs. I've never been chubby or fat so i can't really answer that question.

I used to be really slim and although i had speed i was weak as shit, i put on alot of weight and also hit the weights so the added weight would turn into muscle.

And i felt much better not only did i keep my speed i also felt much stronger/fitter ETC. I know if i was carrying a bit of tummy fat around the midsection it wouldn't work for me it all.

I like being lean/toned i feel i can take body punches well, im at my fittest and all my attributes are at 100 percent.

How much belly fat are you talking about?

I actually just had my first sparring session "fat" tonight. I've been back in the gym (at a new gym) for a few weeks and I was able to do some sparring tonight. The last time I sparred was back in May and I was much more fit then and about 20lbs less. I can't really tell the effect because I don't fully have my wind back and I'm still getting back my technique. Since this gym does more sparring than my last, I'll probably be able to answer the question better in a few weeks when I'm in better cardio shape and I've started to get my balance and reactions back.

Personally, I've never competed by I've been in some pretty hard sparring sessions. I've never gotten down to a six-pack. Even when I'm in good shape, I still carry a little fat around the mid, but it's not a gut. I suspect that if I were to try to bring myself down to that thin, I'd be pretty weak because can't eat much at all. I would have to train full-time and have a professional nutritionist if I were going to get down to that point. Once I hit about 178-180 (probably 12-14% body fat), it's just a huge brick wall for me.