Andre Ward at heavyweight?

[Primo Carnera]

I just can't see Ward lasting against AJ, Ortiz or Wilder for over 5 rounds. Strength, weight advantage, bone structure and density as well as speed.

Ward may just be talking. What I have come to understand in the heavier division it is about bone structure and bone density, which helps to absorb punishment and be stronger to dish out punishment. Ward is a good Super-Middle, and would have been a dominant Middle if he decided to fight there.

Heavier people don't have higher bone density. In fact the higher your fat content the lower the bone density. And heavier people have higher body fat percentages.

You can adjust your bone density by training. Adaptive stress, same as with muscles. But a bigger person is generally going to have worse stamina allowing them to put less stress. Yes, a higher weight seems like more stress but it is met with bigger bones balancing that out.(larger, not more dense) The smaller guy will train harder, faster, longer, and with this have more adaptation.

So in short, big guys have less bone density.

So does Dre stand a chance against AJ ?

[Ron Swanson]

I just can't see Ward lasting against AJ, Ortiz or Wilder for over 5 rounds. Strength, weight advantage, bone structure and density as well as speed.

Ward may just be talking. What I have come to understand in the heavier division it is about bone structure and bone density, which helps to absorb punishment and be stronger to dish out punishment. Ward is a good Super-Middle, and would have been a dominant Middle if he decided to fight there.

Heavier people don't have higher bone density. In fact the higher your fat content the lower the bone density. And heavier people have higher body fat percentages.

You can adjust your bone density by training. Adaptive stress, same as with muscles. But a bigger person is generally going to have worse stamina allowing them to put less stress. Yes, a higher weight seems like more stress but it is met with bigger bones balancing that out.(larger, not more dense) The smaller guy will train harder, faster, longer, and with this have more adaptation.

So in short, big guys have less bone density.

So does Dre stand a chance against AJ ?

No