Strength & Power Training for Boxing

Boxing for Strength & Power

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, his hand can't hit what his eyes can't see."

This well-known quote, by possibly the most famous boxer of all time, summarises what boxing is all about; being quick, agile, fast but yet with strength & power. Inflicting this power on an opponent without getting hit yourself. Muhammad Ali made this reference ahead of his world heavyweight championship title fight against George Foreman – dubbed as the ‘Rumble in the jungle’.

For Ali this was a chance to regain the title that he lost against Joe Frazier in 1971, however Foreman although considered slow and clumsy had ferocious punching power. Ali by this time was almost 33 years old and was believed to be aging and slowing as a fighter. The pundits therefore had Foreman as the firm favourite and this was further feared as Ali employed what was felt by his corner as a risky tactic, the ‘rope-a-dope’, allowing Foreman to hit him whilst covering up against the ropes and hope that Foreman would tire him-self out. After several rounds this unusual strategy seemed to pay off and in the eighth round Ali produced a powerful combination which floored Foreman and Mohammed Ali’s bid to regain the World championship was complete.

Power-to-weight

The ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ was a perfect example of the key attributes that all boxers will want to improve and master over a competitor. The theory of the power-to-weight ratio, basically being as powerful as you can for a given weight. This partly explains why boxers cut or make weight to maximise the power achieved at a heavier body weight and hopefully retain that power despite a drop in weight before the fight.

How nutrition can help

A number of models for strength training for boxing exist to help try and increase your muscular strength and punching power but nutrition can help facilitate and enhance this type of training. Of course the nutritional basics and protein to help muscle development are important but other ingredients may help provide the competitive edge over your opponent. Creatine is a scientifically proven ingredient that can support strength gains in successive bursts of short term, high intensity exercise.

Cyclone is packed with 30g of protein along with glutamine, HMB, zinc and creatine. Creatine is a widely recognised researched proven ingredient that will support repeated bouts of high intensity exercise, exactly what a boxer faces and needs. For George Foreman, Creatine may have provided him with the additional support to sustain his repeated attacks on Ali and just maybe enough to avoid that big right hand in the eighth round which sent him tumbling to the canvas.

Strength & Power

Maximuscle’s Cyclone is UK’s number 1 protein powder*, found within the Strength & Power product category. This category also contains a number of products that you might find useful to support your training and success in the ring. Check out our product range of Strength & Power products here.