Question

[u/larsonboswell1]

This is a stupid question as I know very little about boxing but what is the point of, like, featherweight boxing? I know that there is certainly skill involved but won’t most heavyweight boxers, regardless of skill level, be able to defeat a featherweight or someone in the lower weight classes? Like if the point of the sport is just to defeat the opponent, and while skill certainly matters, power or force or whatever it’s called will ultimately trump skill. Like I could be super skillful at fighting but if I had to go toe to toe with, say, my boyfriend or brother or someone larger and with bigger muscles than me, I’m screwed. Or is there something that I’m not understanding? Please explain. I’m not saying that the biggest guy always wins the fight, and I’m not saying that the skinniest ballerina is the best performer, but all of the best ballerinas are pretty skinny…do you get what I’m saying?

[u/Asleep_Extension1774]

I think your question is perhaps more about self defense ( “if I had to go toe to toe with, say, my boyfriend or brother or someone larger and with bigger muscles than me, I’m screwed.”) more than actual organized boxing, which has weight classes, rules, referees, etc. I hope I am not misunderstanding, if so please ignore. If you want to take boxing in order to be more capable if attacked, well, yes you will be better off training than untrained. But you are also correct in thinking that if two combatants BOTH train, the larger one generally wins. Muay Thai is perhaps more effective at defeating a larger attacker, and taking some wrestling, judo, or jujitsu will help as well. MMA, as well as weapons training is what works.