Why are modern heavyweights so ridiculously tall compared to 90's and 70's heavyweights

[beginner555]

Tyson, Holyfield, Lewis, those guys had a combined average height of about 6'1, and now the average height of the top dogs, Wilder, Joshua, Fury, almost 6'8
What happened? Is it the referees?

 

[ctrlaltdelete]

 

[beginner555]

 

[treelo]

Lennox Lewis - 6' 5"
Riddick Bowe - 6' 5"
Anthony Joshua - 6' 6"

You've just included 2 guys who are pretty short into the argument to sway the stats.

Add in Povetkin - 6' 2" and Parker - 6' 4" and it starts to even out a little.

People are getting bigger....blame GM foods or whatever...but its happening

 

[Philtard]

Because at heavy weight athletism for a big man will get you ahead to a point.

 

[JayE]

HWs might be generally taller nowadays. Of course, one of the two best HWs in the world right now also just weighed in at 214 pounds, so it's not like all the top fighters have size that we're not used to seeing in the past. Joshua isn't exactly massive relative to past HWs, either. He has a smaller frame than either Klitschko and Lennox Lewis. When Fury actually gets in shape he's sub 250 pounds and he's 6' 7'' at his tallest (in other words he's very similar in size to many top HWs of the past).

 

[ironfist05]

I think it might have to do also with the influx of European talent, since European countries tend to have the highest average height. Though obviously nutrition and general size increase are the predominant factors.

 

[MadSquabbles500]

Tyson, Holyfield, Lewis, those guys had a combined average height of about 6'1, and now the average height of the top dogs, Wilder, Joshua, Fury, almost 6'8
What happened? Is it the referees?

Too many people are playing basketball. Anyone tall but not good enough have to find something else to do. If they arent book smart, they will have to stick to athletics. HW boxing has little entry barriers.

 

[CheapMetaKnight]

HW boxing has little entry barriers.

Except the whole "get punched in the face for a living" thing.

 

[BluntTrauma21]

Except the whole "get punched in the face for a living" thing.

Yup, that tends to throw a wrench into a lot of ppl's plans, lol.

 

[MadSquabbles500]

Except the whole "get punched in the face for a living" thing.

Well, for anyone who does not mind and enjoys combat sports, and sees the potential payoffs as well worth the risk.

In other high money sports, a lot of stars have to align properly for you to make it to the big leagues. YOu have to start young, get on the right teams to get noticed. Move up to the right teams to get noticed further etc, etc.

With boxing, just step into a gym even as an adult, spar, if you good enough, and if you freakishly big, and have personality, you have better chance to make some money.