Are you for or Against Catch Weight fights?

It's on topic to the point you made, which is that fighters must come in at the limit at a weight class. Why isn't it legitimate if a fighter beats an opponent champion at the champion's most comfortable weight as long as the fighter doesn't cheat on weight by coming in over the limit?

Anyways, why isn't it about giving props? It's not as if belts mean much these days anyways.

EDIT: That said, I agree that if the fight's for a title, then it shouldn't be at a catchweight. Coming in underweight in a title fight not at catch weight though, I don't see that as an issue.

 

I believe boxers should be allowed the full range of a weight class when fighting/defending a World title.

But implementing a catchweight, is that really the champion's most comfortable weight? I'm not talking about something unrealistic like Mayweather-Klitschko...I'm talking about those 3-4 pounds below the maximum limit of a weight class. The champion won the belt using the full weight class range, the champion should be allowed/forced to defend said title using the full weight class range.

99% of the time, I always give boxers credit for a victory.

Two examples of recent Pacquiao bouts at catchweights.

Cotto-Pacquiao...I didn't agree with the catchweight, and how Cotto was forced to defend the title at the catchweight at the last minute. Did I give Pacquiao credit for the victory? Definitely. I believe it's his best victory since his accelerated rise through the divisions. And after seeing the force he has become at WW, I class him as a WW champion.

On the other hand...

Margarito-Pacquiao...I didn't agree with the catchweight for the vacant title. Did I give Pacquiao credit for the victory? Definitely. He held off the much bigger man, even had him rocked on multiple occasions, showing great heart in fighting back almost immediately when hurt. Do I consider him a champion, or former champion at the weight class...not really.

 

:good

I have no problem with someone weighing in at 144lbs in a WW championship bout, so long as the opponent is not forced to do the same.

 

catcweight wouldnt even be discussed if fight night weights are with in the weight class. problem with the current set up is that at fight night,one or both fighters is way above on their contracted weight. which using one posters logic, makes it convenient for big guys to come down and beat small guys.

 

Not sure I follow your distinction that makes the difference in how you view the fights.

 

Just responding to you talking about giving props. Just because the World title bout is at a catchweight, I am still willing to give props. Labelling said boxer a champion in that weightclass is a different story.

After Cotto - Pacquiao has proven himself to be a champion at WW.
After Margarito - Pacquiao vacated the title at 154lbs (150)...I don't consider him a champion at the class, or previous champion at the weight.

 

Got it, makes sense. A real weight class champion wouldn't vacate immediately and should defend at least once. He's done that at WW, but hasn't done it at JMW.

 

:good

Yeah.

If the bout wasn't a catchweight for the vacant title. Lets say Margarito had won the title two years previous, had been defending it since. Pacquiao steps up to 154lbs, no catchweight...I would more than likely be inclined to call Pacquiao a champion/previous champion at weight, whether he decided to vacate immediately or not.

 

I am for catchweight fights if two fighters from two different divisions want to fight each other

 

If both fighters agree and its a fair deal for both of them i have no problem with it.

Its better than not having big fights materialize.

 

Of course your for it, you have no choice.

 

I'm against catchweight fight.

Pac can fight Cotto at 147 and has great chance of winning.

Pac can fight Margarito at 154, Pac can fight Sergio at 160.






All I wanted is the old-school same-day weighin. To me, ballooning up to 20-30 lbs after weigh in is considered cheating.

 

at first I was dead set against them, however the more research you do into the history the more you realise catchweights were very commonplace and are nothing new to floyd or pac.

so on that note, why criticise someone for something that is well within the rules and has repeatedly been done through history?

 

i agree with this..