Quote Originally Posted by Beanflicker View Post
Here's the thing: it's common boxing lore that punchers are born, not made... right? So what makes people think that PED's suddenly turn a fighter into a power punching machine? I think it's the Rocky 4 syndrome, where we saw Drago take the steroids and then his punching power measured through the roof.

People will say "well of course if steroids make you stronger, of course your punch is going to be stronger." Not necessarily, considering the fact that "punching power" comes from a chain of processes that we really can't define, and historically have not been able to improve upon. Weight lifting makes you stronger, but does weight training make you punch harder? Boxing consensus has always said no. How many guys can you name who started their careers feather fisted, and then developed punching power and became KO artists? Again, boxing consensus has always said you either have power or you don't.

Am I saying steroids do NOTHING for you punching. No. Am I saying Porter is definitely not on steroids? No. But I don't believe steroids will take you from an average puncher to the point where a guy like Paulie would say "wow, I can't believe how much power you have, you must be using something." I've never seen any evidence of that. In the UFC, Stephan Bonnar was juiced out of his mind when he fought Anderson Silva. Anderson stood with his back against the cage, hands down, and let Stephan punch him on the chin and laughed at him. Stephan was never a huge puncher and steroids seemingly did nothing for him (remember, these are tiny UFC gloves, not boxing gloves he was using).

And also, is Paulie that niave to think that he's never fought anyone on steroids until Porter (if indeed Porter was using?)
You cant call it lore and then go on to accept it as truth to try to make a point. I don't think there is anything to dispute the fact one is born a puncher and it can be traced. Its not just word of mouth or urban legend. It can be shown.

Now maybe Porter was weakened lower or higher and has found his niche at 147
It could also be based on the evidence and testimony of others, that he has had a chemical assist.

There is no question that chemistry can enhance both speed and power.