Sparring heavier fighters

[Lord Harris]

As a novice keen to learn, would it be of benefit to spar with heavier guys? Im welter and im not talking super heavies here, middles or even light heavies?
Im 5'9 strong at the weight so Ive been told.

[Greig]

I'm at a pretty basic stage (been boxing for almost 1 year, seriously for about the last 4 months) and I find sparring heavier guys at this stage to be pretty easy.

I find that at this level my speed advantage clearly outweighs the power advantage they have. I frequently spar with a bloke who is around 85+ kg and I am bout 73-75kg and I find it to be good at practicing getting in and out with good footwork. I also find it good to see if I can take a shot.

For instance, all last week I was sparring with the bigger guy and took some good shots on occasion. Last night I sparred a tidy 70kg fighter and he landed with more frequency than the bigger guy but I took the shots like they were nothing, especially the body shots.

I honestly think that fighting guys of different sizes will be beneficial for you. When Kostya Tszyu was preparing for the speed of Zab Judah he sparred with a featherweight (Gairy St Clair) but when he was preparing for the power of Ricky Hatton, he sparred with a middleweight (Sam Soliman).

[Lord Harris]

Thanks for the reply. Obviously it would be done with intense supervision. Interesing point about Kostya. I know Eddie Thomas would get Howard Winstone sparring up to heavies!

[donnydarkoIRL]

I spar heavy guys all the time. They benefit from my speed i benefit from their power. and indeed their resistance.

However it is only ok occasionally as heavier guys are sloweer and will make you drop your output to their divisions level and may be detrimental. But my advice is spar everybody and anybody, it's all expierience.

[Lord Harris]

Thanks Donny, will do.

[donnydarkoIRL]

Hows it going LH?
Sparring going ok?