Conditioning Level between fights

[fightingfan]

I was just wondering how the fighters out there keep themselves conditioned when they don't actually have a fight scheduled??

Eg - I am not 100% certain if it is an absolute truth but have heard that Ricky Hatton only really trains when he signs to fight.

Thoughts?

[highlander1980]

It varies depending on the fighter. Hatton blows up by a stone and a half on average between his fights. Floyd mayweather on the other hand keeps himself within a couple of pounds of his fighting weight at all times.
It is impossible to keep at full fighting shape all the time so a degree of cycling is needed. Mostly it comes down to personal preference. I will say however if you have busted a gut to get into great shape it would be a shame to allow the body to detrain too much as it will take longer to get back in shape to take a fight.
Personally i find weight an issue so i have to keep myself close to weight otherwise i feel too drained if i have to drop too quickly.

[Leigh]

fighters should be working on their weaknesses between fights and aside from that, practising technique. you can only get so strong before it becomes irrlevent. same with cardio. but technique can always be improved

[Duchman]

fighters should be working on their weaknesses between fights and aside from that, practising technique. you can only get so strong before it becomes irrlevent. same with cardio. but technique can always be improved

Yes, but how do you get to a level that off clay guida?

[Nak-Muay]

Leigh, would you recommend running 6 days a week all year round for about 20 - 40 minutes in the morning followed by 5 x 3 minute rounds of skipping.

In addition to that, would you go with sprints for building up conditioning to a fight and if so how long before a fight?

Right now I have joined an ABA boxing club twice a week as I am having to work a bit in Weston (shite I know) and they have been taking me to do hill sprints:

2 x 100 metres 6 weeks before
3 x 100 metres 5 weeks before
4 x 100 metres 4 weeks before
5 x 100 metres 3 weeks before
6 x 100 metres 2 weeks before
7 x 100 metres 1 week before

I am thinking about how many times I should be doing this per week, obviously they take me twice a week, but I am thinking three or four is probably better?

Thanks in advance Leigh!!!

[Leigh]

no, i wouldn't run all year round. i would do some for of aerobic work (running is very good) most of the time, probably 2-3 times a week. i would switch to sprints leading up to a fight, somewhere between 6-10 weeks out, depending on the athlete

twice a week would be fine, as you'll also be doing other training. remember you are only doing non-specific work, like running and sprints, to build your energy systems. the real stamina work comes from sport-specific training, like sparring and bag work

[Nak-Muay]

Thanks Leigh!

[Dave Hirst]

I only really train when I have a fight... as in doing running, weights and that sort of crap. I can't be bothered otherwise.

I find sometimes when I have a fight I come to resent training as it seems like i'm doing it because I have to rather than because I want to, if you follow me. So when I haven't got a fight I like to just enjoy training.

[stapes360]

I find sometimes when I have a fight I come to resent training as it seems like i'm doing it because I have to rather than because I want to, if you follow me

Im the opposite, i absolutely love training when i got a fight to aim for. I like to always have a goal to aim for so i give myself training goals in between fights to address weak areas.

[ocuana]

I have always found as a heavyweight that training for a fight after slobbing out in the Ricky Hatton fashion is twice as hard because the cardio goes first.
I'm now a firm believer in keeping around 70 percent of my fighting fit ability but I'm sure it's different for each weight class.
Depends whether you are healthy minded or only train for fights.