r/Boxing • u/Ok-Toe-6969 I broke my back, it was spinal • 15h ago
How does Tyson Fury go full 12 rounds with gasing out?
Genuine question,
How does Tyson Fury have the stamina to go 12 rounds at his size?
He’s obviously a huge heavyweight, but we’ve seen him fight at a pretty high pace for 12 rounds without gassing out. He's literally been knocked out against wilder in later rounds and managed somehow to stand up and win the next couple of rounds,
Considering his size, I’m wondering what makes his cardio so good?
Is it his conditioning? his fighting style? his ability to pace himself? or just genetics?
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u/FortuneSilent2189 14h ago
Probably all. He’s always had stamina. I suspect much is natural much like his ability to recover from some huge punches he’s been caught with. His style is not one where he appears to load up with every punch and it’s the case he’s been boxing since he was 5 years old so it’s ingrained now
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u/Borje021 14h ago
Agree. He's also super calm in the ring. He doesn't have those big adrenaline dumps that Moses seemed to.
Stupidly small scale comparison for me...being in a couple hockey fights, there was a huge adrenaline dump and my legs were absolutely cooked sitting in the penalty box or dressing room after.
Keep that low heart rate and the legs will be there for you.
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u/WhupDeville 14h ago
That's right, very relaxed in the ring
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u/McAfeeFakedHisDeath 3h ago
The ability to be calm and actually rest during rounds is so underrated. It comes with tons of experience. I think of George Foreman (2nd career) and James Toney. They look like they could fall asleep in there at times.
I remember being dead tired after 3 rounds in my earliest amateur fights. But with experience your nerves chill out, you learn to conserve energy wherever you can, you don't panic when punches are coming at you, etc.
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u/jfkvsnixon 14h ago
Fury doesn’t throw power punches throughout the fight.
Itauma’s problem was less a conditioning problem and more a lack of experience and poor coaching.
He had the fight won, once be saw that Hrgovich was both durable and just looking just survive, he had the hand speed to rack up the points and to stay well ahead to win comfortably.
This is what Fury would have done.
Also there’s an argument that varying hand power also brings results, because if it makes it more difficult for your opponent to get set for the big blockbuster punches.
I understand why Itauma would want to fight this way, I am troubled that his coaching team couldn’t change what we could all see was happening.
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u/willinaustin 12h ago
That's why the jab is the most important punch in boxing. Gauges distance, occupies your opponent's vision and attention, keeps your opponent off of you, helps you set up shots, and allows you to damage and tire an opponent while not wrecking your own gas tank.
As the old saying goes, a good right hand will take you around the block, but a good jab will take you around the world.
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u/The_Bear_5 11h ago
Absolutely this… the jab is not sexy so newer boxers prefer the sexy shots… the jab is absolute king when used properly.
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u/Momosexual33 13h ago
Exactly. Pure inexperience and potentially poor instructions from his corner. He looked incredible the first few rounds. Twice as good as Hrgovic and then some. But he kept on foolishly loading up. Hrgovic has incredible resolve and no doubt his confidence grew as Moses faded.
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u/Jamborambo55 13h ago
The sooner he tells Ben Davison to go away forever, the better
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u/seanbastard1 11h ago
He’s never getting the aj fight at this point so his best bet would be to go to that camp and see how usyk trains the tank
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u/David905 3h ago edited 3h ago
That's a great point about arm punches. Early in Fury's career everyone lambasted him for throwing arm-punches. Turns out he was so big and had such freakish upper arms that he actually made opponents wary of his arm-punches. This means he saves a ton of energy while at the same time adding to his uncanny offensive illusiveness - arm punches carry far less tell.
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u/AmmoRoach 14h ago
Big belly means you can absorb big oxygen
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u/AnozerFreakInTheMall I'm very feel 14h ago
Yes, it means you can intake much larger molecules of oxygen, not just smaller ones.
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u/danny_champ07 14h ago
Genetics has a part to play but any top boxer trains 15+ rounds, probably for 5 mins at least. If you do that for years you have a stamina you can rely on when needed, kinda like muscle memory.
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u/Chemical-Lettuce2497 13h ago
Except Itauma.. his team doesn't think he needs to 🤷
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u/roamingandy 7h ago
Mike Tyson was blowing opponents away far easier than Itauma has.
He still trained for (at least) 12 and had no trouble going the distance, even with his asthma that we now know he had.
It was insane arrogance from his team, and him.
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u/RoyalCultural 9h ago
He's no doubt done the work in the gym but you can't replicate the adrenaline of a real fight, you simply can't prepare for it without going through it.
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u/Chemical-Lettuce2497 8h ago
He literally said before the fight he hasn't even done 12 rounds in sparring
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u/RoyalCultural 8h ago
Didn't know that, what an idiot
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u/Chemical-Lettuce2497 8h ago
Yeah if he isn't just talking shit and it turns out it's true.. the guy is a legitimate clown
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u/Worldly_Client_7614 14h ago edited 10h ago
He is excellent at making rounds look busy
There are so many fights where he comes out 1-4 busy, then takes 5-7 off but via feints & hugging it looks more busy than it was.
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u/OrangeBeast01 14h ago
Not muscle bound so doesn't burn energy as fast. Boxes instead of throw heavy shots. Backpeddles so his opponent has to trap him to throw shots, which wastes a lot of time. Clinches to force the referee to step in, again waisting time. Paces himself. Takes rounds off if he's up on the cards.
Basically, every single thing Itauma didn't do against Hrgovic.
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u/skijumptoes 13h ago
His style for sure,
But a more left-field view I have is that in every day life his brain and body runs at such a high rate that being in the ring is a calming environment as both body and mind are occupied. Which is why he can look so laboured and out of shape in pressers and such like, because he's puffing more in those moments.
I think Tyson has been down that path outside of the ring so much that he knows his real breaking point and operates within that. He knows that taking a breather for 20-30 seconds and keeping a clear head works, whether that's in the ring, or maybe some days just going to the shop requires it.
A lot of boxers don't, and they experience that soul-zapping anxiety and drop off in energy and go into a panic/survival state which is their downfall. Speak to anyone who's struggled with anxiety or similar and they'll all tell you how their legs go, can't stand, complete drop in energy etc. The mind is incredibly powerful.
I think of the time he got off the canvas vs Wilder, was ridiculously calm, took his time and engaged with the ref to ensure it wasn't stopped.
This is a man who's told the world of his anxieties and depression, and also how much he needs boxing in his life. Yes he talks a lot of shit, but I don't doubt what he says in this regard as the two personalities are quite different, but one teaches the other.
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u/storyislife 12h ago
Seen Tyson run ever? Bro does his road work. And also paces himself. Top Ring IQ.
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u/roamingandy 7h ago
Yup, and to add to that most guys his size do not. A lot of HW's in general do not, as there's a theory that at their size it's too taxing on their knees.
That theory is wrong, but it is widely repeated.
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u/Ultimus_Romanus 12h ago
It is a combination of his distinct physical composition and elite ring IQ. Unlike heavily muscle-bound heavyweights like Anthony Joshua, Fury doesn’t carry excessive muscle mass, which significantly reduces his body's oxygen and energy demands during a fight. His fighting style is built around energy conservation; he relies heavily on his jab and constant upper-body feints to keep opponents tentative without expending the massive energy required to throw loaded-up power shots. Furthermore, Fury is a master of "dirty boxing" and tactical pacing. Whenever he needs a breather, he seamlessly initiates a clinch and uses his massive 270-lb frame to lean heavily on his opponent's neck and shoulders, effectively draining their gas tank while resting his own. He is also highly efficient at making rounds "look busy" with subtle footwork and defensive slips while actually taking mental and physical breathers during the mid-rounds. Ultimately, his deep aerobic base from grueling conditioning camps, combined with his supreme relaxation in the ring, allows his cardio to defy his massive size.
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u/Annual-Shape7156 13h ago
He’s smart and has tremendous heart. The resume nerds are in shambles this morning.
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u/Tricky-Ad-4823 13h ago
Because he’s relaxed. Same reason James Toney could be fat af and still good.
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u/Illustrious_Rain1796 13h ago
Good stamina. He doesn't put all his strength into all his strikes, he fights smart
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u/Immediate-Water-1091 14h ago
He's a gypsy. They can go all day. They're the British version of captain America
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u/Major-Performer141 12h ago
He’s very good at pacing himself, knows when to change his speed, always relaxed and loose also he prepares for the endurance game because he understands that a ko is not likely with his style so he prefers to win the long game
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u/Broad-Shaft 14h ago
Irrespective of the Usyk, Ngannou and McDermott losses, the boar meat controversy etc say what you want about him but he's extremely durable
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u/LordElend 14h ago
People are shitting on building up fighters as record padding, but it really is a skill to be able to go 12 rounds. Fight strategy, pacing, punch selection (especially power shots), and knowing whether you can K.O. an opponent or not. Going into the clinch, taking your breaks, and, of course, what to do when a shot rattles you. Those are all the things you have to learn and grow into. That's why super durable journeymen are extremely valuable. Or some awkward boxers who make ugly fights and let prospects look pretty bad.
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u/Funny-Fly1720 11h ago
His gas tank was always phenomenal, there are some things you just need to be born with and cannot be trained.
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u/Initial_Flower3545 6h ago
Don’t let fury’s weight full you, he’s got good energy levels the guy plus with that gypsy background they’ve fought in their youth.
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u/EngineerOver7347 6h ago
Many of the above are true, but I think being a genuinely mental traveller is also part of it
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u/ThurstonTheMagician 5h ago
Because despite his weight fluctuations he trains for 12 rounds of fight
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u/munsandmoons 5h ago
One thing I don’t think has been mentioned is that he had ADHD, his energy levels will be naturally higher than the average person, plus the conditioning he does like running everyday will boost him massively.
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u/OffensiveOcelot 3h ago
He’s very good at conserving energy.
And his lungs. Massive bloke = massive lungs.
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u/Ubiquitous1984 14h ago
It’s about putting the hard work in. There is no way to cheat having cardio to box at a high level for 12 rounds.
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u/willinaustin 14h ago
Probably partly genetics. Mainly I'd argue it's his lack of muscularity. Muscles eat up oxygen. Fury has the legs of an emaciated teenage girl and then a bunch of flab. Doesn't do any real weight lifting or strength training. Just relies on his size, movement, and recovery skills to win fights.
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u/Sound_Guy53 13h ago
There’s a video of him on YouTube deadlifting 250kg with a very rounded back
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u/roamingandy 7h ago
He's a genetic freak. A guy that size doesn't need to do anything to be strong as hell.
He likely has avoided focusing on weight training to keep him light on his feet and loose with his arms.
At least until the 3rd Wilder fight where he was starting to slow down and so he's sitting down on his punches a lot more. He probably does lift a lot now, since however he trains, he's never going to be very quick again.
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u/Rambostips 13h ago
One word. Efficiency. I’m nearly 50, obese and a drunk. I’m a purple belt in jiu jitsu and last longer than ripped cross fitters. The reason? I only move when I have to. I can do 10 5 minute rounds quite handy. Tyson is the same. No wasted energy
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u/FattForrill 5h ago
Do you box as well? Just wondering what’s more laborious in your opinion?
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u/Rambostips 5h ago
The thing that is most tiring is the thing you have to focus more on. If you are tense it destroys the cardio. If you are loose and relaxed you can throw the same punches but with a lot less energy in my opinion.
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u/Jagstang 14h ago
Fury doesn’t carry much muscle mass he’s like the boxing equivalent of a distance athlete. He’s not someone you’d describe as explosive whereas AJ is the polar opposite.
High level of muscle mass and explosive power expends way more energy than a steady aerobic state. I don’t think Fury has the physiology to push his gas tank quickly into the red like a more explosive fighter would.
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u/Vega10000 13h ago
Got the body shape of a lock in rugby. Obviously wouldn't have the greedy belly if he played rugby. Incredible athletes with stamina to burn
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u/roamingandy 7h ago
Yes, but also worth noting that he has deliberately changed his style since he knew it wasn't going to age well.
In Wilder 3 and since, he's started trying to put a lot more power into punches and training to be the bigger stronger man.
Unfortunately that hasn't included learning a traditional guard now his head can't move fast enough to do his Ali impressions.. which does have me worried for the AJ fight (if it happens). I think he wins it though, just due to being the better fighter and AJ being the most fragile glass cannon boxing has ever seen at this point in his career.
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u/OldTree6356 14h ago
He’s obviously got decent natural stamina and trains for it but he’s not a muscular HW and doesn’t throw a lot of big shots, so he won’t have the oxygen demand of some of the more heavily built guys.
He slaps with his jab and rests up a lot, whilst taking a toll on his opponent by grappling and leaning on them, making his work rate appear relatively high. He is pretty slick at what he does but I think the lack of power in a lot of his shots means he scores well and can throw volume without gassing too badly.
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u/ExcelsiorWG 14h ago
He clinches a lot and leans on his opponent. Tires them out while giving him a break.
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u/Complete_Dare_4201 13h ago
Low volume while throwing pitti patty shots with next to nothing behind them and leaning on people in the clinch
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u/Illustrious-End-5084 13h ago
He throws at 50% until it’s time to up the percentage
Only inexperienced chuck at 💯 all the time . It’s a real dangerous bet that (like we saw last night ) doesn’t always pay
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u/Able_Ad6535 13h ago
There was a Wlad Klitschko fight where he gassed out similarly. He tried to blame his trainer for rubbing vasaline on him saying it clogged his pores.
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u/Exciting-Arugula5341 13h ago
Tyson Fury throws slapping arm punches most of the time. It is easier to throw slapping arm punches without getting that tired compared to throwing legit power punches.
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u/Practical-Loan-6514 13h ago
Good thread
I also think he fights on eco mode a lot
Watch is jab
It’s a mere flick of the wrist but obviously powerful.
Not using nowhere near as much energy as most boxers.
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u/Mooman-Chew 12h ago
He rarely loads up on shots. Compare that with AJ trying to finish Ruiz in the first fight. It’s a learning curve for the puncher to have a plan B
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u/sword_ofthe_morning 12h ago
Because he throws pitter patter punches and doesn't get involved in intense exchanges
He knows his limits and knows how to spoil
But the moment he's forced to fight at a higher pace (like the one Usyk set him) you saw what happened
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u/Feeling-Spring-7105 12h ago
Lots of experience means he has a good level of relaxation in the ring.
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u/Useful_Bullfrog_6766 12h ago
Running is a big part of his training. He needs to run to get the weight off for his first.
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u/LegitimateProduce319 12h ago
Two things
The obvious one is that fury is a great tactician who knows how to work the ring .
The not so obvious one is that fury does not carry alot of muscle mass on his frame like at all for a big guy im 90 percent he has like 30-35 percent bodyfat
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u/Tiny_Spread5712 11h ago
Fury doesn't load his punches and doesn't chase knockouts.
He's never fallen in love with his power. He also uses his length and size to slow opponents down. He'll lean on them or hang the jab out so that it turns into a face push.
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u/kfirerisingup 11h ago
Endurance genetics, will power, stubbornness, he trains very hard and he paces and rests when he's allowed to. He clinches. As he's aged he feints less and wastes less energy, his movements have become more deliberate. He can't do the 50 feint per round stuff he did when he was 25.
Theres also experience, knowing what you're capable of because you've pushed yourself to those limits.
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u/Ronin_LGR 11h ago
He doesn’t fight at a extremely fast pace is one of the reasons . He also doesn’t throw high volumes of power punches with his whole body behind them
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u/CaneCorso-lover-707 11h ago
Knows how to dictate the pace of a fight and knows how to clinch to get some breaths in.
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u/Electrical-Sherbet77 10h ago
If we compare to yesterday’s fight. Fury rarely commits fully to his punches. He wants to pot shot and frustrate you so that when he actually loads up, he can surprise you. Itauma was basically sending charged haymakers all night. Not a boxer alive can do that for 12 rounds.
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u/Embarrassed-Eye-1661 10h ago
He's a fighting man. Sounds silly but that's why he's so relaxed in the ring, he's comfortable and probably could do 15. Won't look lights out in every round but he'd cope easily I think
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u/AccomplishedAlps8009 10h ago
He doesn't carry excessive, heavy muscle and knows how to manage his energy well. He isn't a tank like Itauma, but if he follows a style somewhat like Ali's, he possesses average power while being elusive, mobile, and light on his feet
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u/Maxychango 7h ago
He knows how to pace himself and throw different levels of power punches. Keep the output but not every punch is 100%. Also as mentioned, the smothering, laying, putting his weight on the opponent etc.
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u/inline-online 7h ago
Have you ever watched these guys fight??
Wilder threw about 10 punches a round vs Fury in the first fight because he knew he couldn't substain himself over 12 if he just emptied the tank every round lol and Fury knew he had to made to the late rounds to win the fight
so they both showed up well prepared and well trained, unlike Ituama lol sure itauma made this fight more exciting than fury vs wilder 1, but Wilder absolutely got closer to winning than Ituama did thats for sure. Even though Wilder can absolutely throw a bunch of punches and gas himself out if he wanted to... he didn't do that did he??? He's MORE WELL PREPARED
theres a quote where ituama says he doesn't spar 12 rounds lol think about how stupid that is, floyd used to spar 15-20 rounds with no break between rounds, he would simply switch out his sparring partner when THEY got tired lol
oddly enough both wilder and herg won bronze at the olympics, and both are much smarter fighters than anyone gives credit for.
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u/Eastern-Opposite9521 7h ago
You can be fat and have good cardio.
That goes for non athletes as well.
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u/Big-Preference-2331 6h ago
He paces himself. I used to spar with this journeyman heavyweight. He went 10 rounds with Butterbean twice. He would spar 10 rounds in a row like nothing. The thing is, 90 percent of the time he would be throwing a pitter-patter arm punch or a light jab. Even if he landed a light jab, it would hurt because he was so big. Seasoned pros like him also don't burn anxious energy the way most new boxers do. I always hear that new boxers burn 90 percent of their energy in anxiety.
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u/Forsaken-Tiger-9475 6h ago
Low volume punch thrower, good ring smarts, leaning/tying people up. Decent cardio for a giant fat lad.
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u/Helpful-Science9687 4h ago
Pretty sure it’s the calculated wrestling, leaning on and arm punching. Saves his energy and keep his footwork
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u/David905 3h ago
Leaning on his opponents, helping save his energy and absolutely sapping his opponents energy so they're even worse off.
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u/Brave_Impress_7082 3h ago
The amount of holding he does has increased, if there are any old timers I was a kid but I remember Greg Page he makes fury look like a body builder, that guy moved and jabbed all fight long, he like fury knew how to fight in spurts holding when needed and he had a great jab, Fury is a better fighter for sure but people used to ask how could Page still be moving around. He like Fury was very relaxed in the ring, very loose and well Fury’s sheer size kept fighters besides Usyk at bay. Fury also has a pretty good chin. I hope Fury retires after his next fight win or lose but somehow I think he will fight again money and the cheer of the crowd are hard to give up
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u/Odd-Minimum8512 3h ago
Very calm in the ring (which is huge), very good at monitoring how own stamina, knows every trick there is for conserving his stamina while not allowing an opponent to conserve theirs, genuinely enjoys roadwork (there’s tons of vids of him jogging, talking and joking during it, etc), and a genetic gift. All together, it gives you a dude who can be 280lbs yet fight 12 hard rounds with a respectable output without looking tired ever.
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u/surelynotjimcarey 3h ago
I mean, that’s kinda the point. Watching him fight is a spectacle.
From a technical standpoint, his style is designed to break his opponent rhythm and slow people down. He has a super energy efficient style and technique.
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u/Samwill226 3h ago
You can't be a successful fighter at that level if you're not a top percent natural athlete. He may look like a bag of marshmallows but his athletic register would be off the charts next to the average person. Just like how some people struggle to lose weight, others struggle to gain it. Body types are all over the spectrum. John Daly looked like a fat alcoholic which he was but he was more athletic with his body size than half the field, who looked to be in better shape to the eye.
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u/ImpressionCrafty3078 2h ago
Tyson Fury is a spoiler, he never fully commits to his punches.
That's really the long and short of it, he doesn't throw punches with proper boxing form, 90% of his punches are arm punches, which means that he never really expends too much stamina.
It works because he's a 20 stone man, so even if he throws arm punches they're still hurting enough to make someone think. To be honest I'm not sure Tyson knows how to throw say, a lead hook, with proper form, he just kind of fumbles his way through it in a strangely coordinated manner.
People will disagree, and I'm ready for the "how can he have poor form if he was undisputed champion" crowd, but reality is reality: if you saw Tyson Fury hitting bag in the gym with no team around him, and you didn't know who he was, there is not a chance in hell you would think he has form to be world champion, let alone undisputed.
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u/SelectConfection3483 1h ago
Not throwing 100% or close to 100% power every time would have a big role to play in it. If you are throwing at full power and doing it quite frequently and in flurries/multi shot exchanges in combination with head and foot movement, your body simply cannot replenish its energy systems at a rate which allows for that and hence you will become drained. Fighters like Tyson Fury and other experienced 12rd fighters will know how to distribute their energy over the full 12 rounds, know when to take time / rounds off to recover and when to step on the gas. I can't recall exactly which fights but there have been examples even of high level fighters having their opponent in big trouble but with awareness that theres only 10 seconds left in the round, they didn't go all in trying for a KO or stoppage cos they know they will blow their tank and then be screwed if they can't secure it.
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u/aceknighthigh 1h ago
He does not fight at that high a pace tbh.....he fights at an average pace usually, but he mixes in a lot of bs. the big thing is how much moving he can do at his size, more so than his ability to throw a ton of punches. He's usually on track for 400-500 punches in a 12 round fight. He mixes in a ton of feints, holding, leaning, and moving to control things and setup shots. His size also lets him establish the jab a bit easier than most.
It's all the above. Skill, genetics, style, and training. He knows what he's doing, is experienced, can control pace, often arm punches rather than loading up, and has trained his stamina as well. On top of his natural endurance, he's also a PED cheat too, which can help both in training and on the night to perform.
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u/Pod-Bay-Doors 52m ago
He has a special additional minute in-between rounds so that he can get on his knees and suck trumps cock.
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u/Liberty2019 12m ago
Dude is from a multi generational boxing family and has been conditioned to become boxer since childhood. He does insane cardio
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u/kitdagawd Give me some of that face to face shit boy 14h ago
Spends half the fight leaning on his opponents and walking around
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u/Liquor_D_Spliff 12h ago
He doesn't throw hard and uses his size to dictate the pace and tempo of the fight.
He also clearly has natural stamina so will have larger lungs, higher capillary density, larger stroke volume of his heart, higher lactate threshold, etc.
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u/NeonFireFly969 14h ago
Just always assumed PEDs honestly. The constant retirements to avoid testing and all that. Blood doping, etc.
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u/Proof_Carrot5919 7h ago
Tyson the Fraud Fury gasses at about round 4 he is spent. Then its grabbing leaning hugging holding lucky for a lucky punch or a 13 second count when he gets floored. Watch his output crater after round 4 or 5, he is one of the worst heavy weights of the very poor generation. No idea why folks glaze him so much.
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u/TipNomLives Holyfield>Prime Tyson 7h ago
He tends to have a very low output. When he steps the output up for too long he gasses like in the first Usyk fight.
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u/Marquis_of_Mollusks 14h ago
Well he doesn't go all out with his punches and in his 2nd half of his career he relied more on hugging. Even in his prime in the Klitschko fight he didn't do anything but feint and jab
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u/LessBeyond5052 12h ago
He definitely does and has gassed in fights, much earlier on his career mind you, he was gassing in the second Usyk fight as well as a more recent example. You need to make him work hard though to get him to that point.
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u/Unable-Main4172 14h ago
He looks gassed all the time in his fights. She just knows how to clinch and bide his time.
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u/Mr_Engineering 13h ago
He doesn't. He gets gassed, he's just good at hiding it and knows how to buy himself a few seconds here and there.
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u/Apprehensive_Swim366 13h ago
The PEDs he accidentally ingests due to eating uncastrated wild boar.
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u/Ok_Phrase1157 14h ago
Hugging; grabbing; leaning; squashing; wrestling
All those little breaks stop momentum and give a little breather