View Full Version : Weight and punching power
Charles Wolff
02-09-2009, 01:32 AM
Hello, fellow sweet scientists!
through the last months, i've been losing weight and i can't stop thinking what's happening with my punching power. I weighed 85kg when i started sparring and my main feature was punching power. Now i'm 75kg and still going lighter, i feel way faster, but i think my punching power could have decreased. Note: the lost weight is just from getting ripped, no significant mass losses.
Is my punching power the same after those 10 kgs?
gatto
02-09-2009, 02:59 AM
maybe you reached a platue [sp]
Boxaholic
02-09-2009, 03:45 PM
Dont worry, speed is a vital comonent of power. Imagine this...you get walloped by a 20lb sledge going 5mph or you get walloped by a 5lb slege going 20mph...which hurts more?
The most powerful punch in the world doesnt help you if you cant hit the guy, so look at it as an opportunity to use your power more effectively.
Jazzo
02-09-2009, 05:50 PM
No.
Your punching power goes down when you lose mass.
No.
Your punching power goes down when you lose mass.
Your speed may go up, especially if all you lost is fat. My power went up when I lost about 15 pounds of lard because lard doesn't make you faster. And like Boxaholic said, more speed means you'll be able to actually land.
Jazzo
02-09-2009, 06:30 PM
Your speed may go up, especially if all you lost is fat. My power went up when I lost about 15 pounds of lard because lard doesn't make you faster. And like Boxaholic said, more speed means you'll be able to actually land.
The speed difference is probably negligible. Perhaps you improved your technique.
The speed difference is probably negligible.
Why is that probable? I beg to differ, it's not like a punch is all weight shift.
Perhaps you improved your technique.
Most definitely. It was hard to have proper technique with 15 pounds of blubber on me especially hooks and uppercuts.
Jazzo
02-09-2009, 06:39 PM
Most definitely.
Then that is the answer. No need for anything else.
Then that is the answer. No need for anything else.
I disagree because they influence each other. Power from weight shift dropped a little, power from torso twist increased and speed increased as well.
Jazzo
02-09-2009, 07:25 PM
I disagree because they influence each other. Power from weight shift dropped a little, power from torso twist increased and speed increased as well.
Well I can hardly measure these things accurately, so it should be standard practice in these threads to assume that weight loss is akin to power loss. It is the best starting point.
Otherwise the question is a waste of time.
Well I can hardly measure these things accurately, so it should be standard practice in these threads to assume that weight loss is akin to power loss. It is the best starting point.
Otherwise the question is a waste of time.
I'm not following that logic at all. If it's not easily measured, it doesn't exist? :huh
Jazzo
02-09-2009, 07:49 PM
I'm not following that logic at all. If it's not easily measured, it doesn't exist? :huh
No.
Just that you can't give any advice on it. Or, if you think you can, get the rules straight since you will be using the same rules for everyone. I suggested that a sensible place, if any, to start would be, 'less mass means less power'. After all, it is reasonable to assume that power will be lost as a result of losing weight. If you do no think that is reasonable then ask yourself if a person is likely to increase punching power as a by-product of losing weight.
No.
Just that you can't give any advice on it. Or, if you think you can, get the rules straight since you will be using the same rules for everyone. I suggested that a sensible place, if any, to start would be, 'less mass means less power'. After all, it is reasonable to assume that power will be lost as a result of losing weight. If you do no think that is reasonable then ask yourself if a person is likely to increase punching power as a by-product of losing weight.
It's not reasonable at all IMO to assume that dropping weight means losing power, because with a drop in weight other attributes may improve. Both me and the OP feel much faster after weight loss, and speed contributes to the power of a punch. I am also more agile at this weight, which means I can move my body around easier, and I'll be more effective in getting my weight behind a punch in the first place. Weight is simply not the same thing as punching power especially if that weight is fat. I don't see the sense nor reason in your statement.
Jazzo
02-09-2009, 08:03 PM
It's not reasonable at all IMO to assume that dropping weight means losing power, because with a drop in weight other attributes may improve. Both me and the OP feel much faster after weight loss, and speed contributes to the power of a punch. I am also more agile at this weight, which means I can move my body around easier, and I'll be more effective in getting my weight behind a punch in the first place. Weight is simply not the same thing as punching power especially if that weight is fat. I don't see the sense nor reason in your statement.
Being faster will not help if you lose weight in the process. Hell, weight divisions are in place for a reason.
A guy with rubbish technique at middleweight will still hit harder than a fly weight who has wonderful technique.
As for fat, it will actually help punching power. It can even help strength. Being able to land effectively is irrelevant.
viru§™
02-09-2009, 08:15 PM
Speed plays a larger role in power than mass.
Being faster will not help if you lose weight in the process. Hell, weight divisions are in place for a reason.
We're talking fat weight here :huh
If anything, being more "powerful" (because of fat, it's ridiculous really) will not help you if you go up in weight class, and it will help even less if you can't land it. Weight classes indeed exist for a reason, and there aren't many fatties in the lower weight classes. Perhaps they haven't read your theory yet.
A guy with rubbish technique at middleweight will still hit harder than a fly weight who has wonderful technique.
Those 48 pounds of lard will likely prevent him from being fast and agile. Not being agile, he will not get his weight behind punches like he would at a more reasonable weight.
As for fat, it will actually help punching power. It can even help strength.
Perhaps boxers should go up in weight by gaining fat then :nut
Being able to land effectively is irrelevant.
Not in boxing mate.
Jazzo
02-09-2009, 08:18 PM
Speed plays a larger role in power than mass.
:lol:
Yeah, just look at those super-fast heavyweights.
Perhaps we should divide divisions up based on speed :nut
Jazzo
02-09-2009, 08:22 PM
RDJ, you are confusing being effective with the force of a punch.
Weight has nothing to do with fat. It is a force.
F=ma.
RDJ, you are confusing being effective with the force of a punch.
No I am not. I know there are two separate issues being discussed, I just think the ability to land something is not irrelevant.
Weight has nothing to do with fat. It is a force.
F=MA.
You are oversimplifying matters by not letting the "A" into your equation as it's difficult to measure like you said. Besides, more M by fat means less A that was kind of the point.
Jazzo
02-09-2009, 08:26 PM
No I am not. I know there are two separate issues being discussed, I just think the ability to land something is not irrelevant.
You are oversimplifying matters by not letting the "a" into your equation as it's difficult to measure like you said.
Then we agree, as I suspected.
Then we agree, as I suspected.
I don't think we do, but I'm at peace with that.
cockneyhardman
02-10-2009, 11:44 AM
Being faster will not help if you lose weight in the process. Hell, weight divisions are in place for a reason.
A guy with rubbish technique at middleweight will still hit harder than a fly weight who has wonderful technique.
As for fat, it will actually help punching power. It can even help strength. Being able to land effectively is irrelevant.
yes i know because butterbean told me so:yep
gatto
02-10-2009, 01:25 PM
i didn't think a middleweight would be going down to flyweight how about a middleweight who goes down to welter? =|
MattMattMatt
02-10-2009, 01:48 PM
RDJ, you are confusing being effective with the force of a punch.
Weight has nothing to do with fat. It is a force.
F=ma.
Newton's second law isn't the important factor here (in terms of incredibly simplified science). What matters is transfer of kinetic energy ((1/2).m.v^2) to the target (conservation of momentum, intertia blah blah etc..), so velocity plays more of a role - however the change in velocity as a percentage is probably much less than the change in mass between a strawweight and a heavyweight.
Anyway, this has very little to do with the OP.:D We're only interested in the change of mass (due to flab) for one person not the relative change in power between people of naturally different sizes.
ralphc
02-10-2009, 02:58 PM
Hello, fellow sweet scientists!
through the last months, i've been losing weight and i can't stop thinking what's happening with my punching power. I weighed 85kg when i started sparring and my main feature was punching power. Now i'm 75kg and still going lighter, i feel way faster, but i think my punching power could have decreased. Note: the lost weight is just from getting ripped, no significant mass losses.
Is my punching power the same after those 10 kgs?
Your punching power does not vary too much with changes in mass. On HBO Larry Merchant asked Roy Jones if his punching power went up as he rose through the divisions. Jones replied that it remained the same. That is the honest answer in keeping with the traditions of boxing. In this forum there are a bunch of techno-nerds who claim that featherfists can be magically transformed into punchers, but as yet they have not shown us the evidence.
Just get in shape and improve your boxing skills. Punching power is determined by your genes so it isn't worth worrying about.
Primenal
02-10-2009, 11:04 PM
Weight does matter...Even fat. I'm only 5'6, 165 and have really no fat. I take a hell of a punch..A lot of my focus the last 2 years was building my traps/ neck (to absorb a punch), and my legs. Fighting a guy my weight I can usually eat there punches. I haven't met anybody at around 160 that is physichally as strong as me (wether it be boxing, or wrestling around). If I fight somebody much bigger though (as I usually prefer to do) I can definitely feel that shit. Wether there muscled, fat, etc.
I would said the importance of a punch would be:
1) Tecnique/ experience
2) Speed
3) Power
If a big guy has proper tecnique, decent speed, HES DAMN SURE GOT THE POWER!! Those guys that don't have proper tecnique, no speed...Make no mistake about it though...If they do hit you they will hurt you, but those aren't the people I worry about. I weigh 165. I got a fatass 250 pds that lands about 250 pds of force on to my face...I guarantee I'm going to be hurting more than some quick dude at 160 landing on me.
It does matter on the individual though, but as they say "a good big man always beats a good small man."
VanillaKilla
02-11-2009, 12:25 AM
sorry guys but im gonna have to mention tyson LOL. I try not to use him because hes so overused but i think hes a relevent example. Remember mike before prison. When he was young. He weighed alot less. Maybe up to 20 pounds. He was killing guys with his speed and power. Then he came out of jail really buff. He wasnt the same fighter anymore. And i DOUBT his power increased significantly. I think people confuse being the naturally bigger man(with bone mass as is in weight class) with fat and muscle.
gatto
02-11-2009, 03:04 AM
sorry guys but im gonna have to mention tyson LOL. I try not to use him because hes so overused but i think hes a relevent example. Remember mike before prison. When he was young. He weighed alot less. Maybe up to 20 pounds. He was killing guys with his speed and power. Then he came out of jail really buff. He wasnt the same fighter anymore. And i DOUBT his power increased significantly. I think people confuse being the naturally bigger man(with bone mass as is in weight class) with fat and muscle.
bad example...in my humble opinion:good
Pugsley
02-11-2009, 12:36 PM
...........My goodness. I cant believe what I'm reading here.
gatto
02-12-2009, 02:53 PM
oh my word...i have 100 posts
Boxaholic
02-12-2009, 04:25 PM
Yikes lots of equations here lol. I'll throw another one at you that I learned in grade 9. It takes double the energy to move something twice as big just as fast. It takes triple the energy to move something the same size twice as fast. Hence, greater speed=greater power because of greater kinetic energy. Anyhow, I dont really care, you either hit hard or you dont. You can improve it a bit but skills are where its at.
...........My goodness. I cant believe what I'm reading here.
Please elaborate then.
Charles Wolff
02-13-2009, 07:59 PM
Hello, once again!
just coming with a report of how my latest bout turned to be with those 10kgs off.
Definitely outclassed the man, as far as i felt, i hit as hard as i did before, had better responses and could move more. I could land punches much more effectively than ever did before.
JMonster
02-21-2009, 02:37 AM
it could be possible that u rn't following through as much nemore
ChrisPontius
02-21-2009, 12:34 PM
Hello, fellow sweet scientists!
through the last months, i've been losing weight and i can't stop thinking what's happening with my punching power. I weighed 85kg when i started sparring and my main feature was punching power. Now i'm 75kg and still going lighter, i feel way faster, but i think my punching power could have decreased. Note: the lost weight is just from getting ripped, no significant mass losses.
Is my punching power the same after those 10 kgs?
Boxing is not about who punches hardest, but about how can land the hardest punch.
Your heavy punches are of no use when you're too slow to land them consistently. Speed is MUCH more important in boxing, especially in amateur boxing.
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