time for another weight class?

[TitoFan]

Just because there's never been a good supersized heavyweight in the history of boxing, doesn't mean there couldn't be one in the future. I don't buy into that. If fans don't want another division (I sure don't either), then limit the weight of heavyweights to a maximum. Over 275 pounds... you're too big. Again... just 'cause Valuev and a couple of other circus freaks haven't taken advantage of their huge size, that doesn't mean someone couldn't come along, with the abilities and dedication to compete at a high level. THEN what? Do we just hand him the belts and let him go home? No... if there's weight maximums in ALL the other weight divisions, there should also be one in the heavyweights. IMHO, of course.

[zbolt]

isn't it there's too many weight classes already?

[Drago]

Just because there's never been a good supersized heavyweight in the history of boxing, doesn't mean there couldn't be one in the future. I don't buy into that. If fans don't want another division (I sure don't either), then limit the weight of heavyweights to a maximum. Over 275 pounds... you're too big. Again... just 'cause Valuev and a couple of other circus freaks haven't taken advantage of their huge size, that doesn't mean someone couldn't come along, with the abilities and dedication to compete at a high level. THEN what? Do we just hand him the belts and let him go home? No... if there's weight maximums in ALL the other weight divisions, there should also be one in the heavyweights. IMHO, of course.

i dont think its fair that a boxer cant compete cos he is over a certain weight, i mean when your over 7ft u gonna be bloody heavy arnt u

[Drago]

ok people on here arnt overly keen on another weight division, but i still think its all the alphabet titles thats the problem personally thats what ruins the sport more than anything, remember when everyone knew who the heavyweight champion of the world was i think those days are over

[TitoFan]

Just because there's never been a good supersized heavyweight in the history of boxing, doesn't mean there couldn't be one in the future. I don't buy into that. If fans don't want another division (I sure don't either), then limit the weight of heavyweights to a maximum. Over 275 pounds... you're too big. Again... just 'cause Valuev and a couple of other circus freaks haven't taken advantage of their huge size, that doesn't mean someone couldn't come along, with the abilities and dedication to compete at a high level. THEN what? Do we just hand him the belts and let him go home? No... if there's weight maximums in ALL the other weight divisions, there should also be one in the heavyweights. IMHO, of course.

i dont think its fair that a boxer cant compete cos he is over a certain weight, i mean when your over 7ft u gonna be bloody heavy arnt u

No, you're right... it's not fair. But my main point is that people are saying that 7-footers are no good anyway, and basing their comments on the Valuevs of the world. Well... what if you get a 7-foot, 350-pounder with the movement and skill of, let's say... a Lennox Lewis. Who in hell would get in the ring with THAT? So... either form another division, which nobody wants, or don't let him complete, at least in professional boxing. Find the guy another sport, like MMA.

[Drago]

Just because there's never been a good supersized heavyweight in the history of boxing, doesn't mean there couldn't be one in the future. I don't buy into that. If fans don't want another division (I sure don't either), then limit the weight of heavyweights to a maximum. Over 275 pounds... you're too big. Again... just 'cause Valuev and a couple of other circus freaks haven't taken advantage of their huge size, that doesn't mean someone couldn't come along, with the abilities and dedication to compete at a high level. THEN what? Do we just hand him the belts and let him go home? No... if there's weight maximums in ALL the other weight divisions, there should also be one in the heavyweights. IMHO, of course.

i dont think its fair that a boxer cant compete cos he is over a certain weight, i mean when your over 7ft u gonna be bloody heavy arnt u

No, you're right... it's not fair. But my main point is that people are saying that 7-footers are no good anyway, and basing their comments on the Valuevs of the world. Well... what if you get a 7-foot, 350-pounder with the movement and skill of, let's say... a Lennox Lewis. Who in hell would get in the ring with THAT? So... either form another division, which nobody wants, or don't let him complete, at least in professional boxing. Find the guy another sport, like MMA.

ok tell him to fight someone his own size, meaning he cant fight anyone i think i am just pissed off with the state of the heavyweight division, i cant remember it ever been so rubbish

[TitoFan]

i dont think its fair that a boxer cant compete cos he is over a certain weight, i mean when your over 7ft u gonna be bloody heavy arnt u

No, you're right... it's not fair. But my main point is that people are saying that 7-footers are no good anyway, and basing their comments on the Valuevs of the world. Well... what if you get a 7-foot, 350-pounder with the movement and skill of, let's say... a Lennox Lewis. Who in hell would get in the ring with THAT? So... either form another division, which nobody wants, or don't let him complete, at least in professional boxing. Find the guy another sport, like MMA.

ok tell him to fight someone his own size, meaning he cant fight anyone i think i am just pissed off with the state of the heavyweight division, i cant remember it ever been so rubbish

Same here. And unfortunately, as goes the heavyweight division, so goes the state of boxing, at least in the eyes of the casual fan. Us hardcore boxing fans know the action is further down in weight, but that doesn't bring in the new fans who only want to see big guys go at it.

[Nameless]

I go with Bilbo on that one, passed a certain point, weight doesn't mean nothing from a human perspective, even that it is getting better not to carry too much to be more mobile and faster. To fight fully, Valuev would have to drop at least 40 pounds, would have more stamina, speed and mobility. At this stage, being the monster of the monster is impressive, look good on promotion but doesn't help anymore on the ring.

I don't think Valuev can drop 40lbs. I highly doubt the guy is capable of doing a significant amount of road work. Even though they weight around the same, Valuev's weight is detrimental to his body type as opposed to Shaquille O'Neil who has been running up and down a basketball court for years. Even now Shaq's body is starting to break down and I wouldn't be surprised if he has arthritic hips when he gets into his forties.
Plus look at Nikolay. He looks like a different breed of human, his porportions are all off. He may well be eating and exercising to his optimal ability and that's just the end result. The guy's got a carpet across his back for crap's sake.

There is a couple of way to make somebody lose weight beside running, swimming is very very good and doesn't hurt your articulations, doing well planned seance of sauna helps a lot more than what we can imagine too. There is a couple of other ways like that. 40 pounds considering Valuev's size isn,t too much, the guy weights something like 320-340 pounds, something like that. On a 7 feet frame monster, it's not that much, look at his physical, he definitely has some huge overcarried stuff. With 30-40 pounds less, he would be a lot more effective and personally, I think that for his frame, it is something achievable, just perhaps not with running as you underlined correctly.

[p4pking]

No, of course not.. Bilbo's post was bang on, there' just nothing to warrant even thinking about it as long as none of these huge guys are actually any good. Upon hearing the idea you'd imagine there are all these real athletes around 215 who can fight but just can't hang in there with monters like Briggs or Valuev. Given the state of the division today the notion is completely ridiculous.. The Super HW champion of the world wouldn't have a hope in hell vs either Klitschko reigning a division lower, and you could go back in the sport picking any number of guys under 220 who would mop the ring with them if they were fighting today, whats the intruige?