Catch Weights

Catch Weight fights are great for 2 reasons, sadly more past than present.

You are right though, not much need for them today when fighters have months to make weight - so it should always be at a Title fight weight or for the purpose of Contenders rights - so today we don't need them with only a couple of fights a year. Your right.

however in the Past it was a way to get "the People's Champion" so to speak, and for feared & avoided fighters to get Big Money fights, while the champions safely kept their titles from harm!

Fighters would gladly fight a champion to enhance their reputation, keep or 'advance' their Contender Ranking, chase the Bigger Pay Days by fighting UP a weight and become the People's Champ. the Fans knew who the real boys were anyway, but at least they got to see fights that might have otherwise NEVER happened...

a lot of TOP fighters did this, BUT sadly for many men it had the opposite effect, most noted Burley, Marshall and the UK's Bert Gilroy.

Champions satisfied the public, the challengers proved their status win or lose and made the money, and all but for the few who got cheated out of further title consideration, otherwise great fights got made!

so catch weights WERE good, but yes today NO Need for them, fighters only fight a few times in a year IF your lucky, so as you say they either make the weight or they don't

 

I generally agree with thistle1. Catchweight matches were a vital tool to the promoter. They saved bills with late replacements, and they also helped develop a prospect who was too good for the British journeyman fighters around their weight division.

The only problem I have with catchweight matches is when a top level promotion sells a main event fight at a particular weight, only for someone to come in over the contracted weight and yet the fight still goes ahead.

 

I onoy agree with catchweight fights if they are made on short notice.

If not whats the point in even having weight classes then?

 

very true

 

Weight divisions are to decide who is the best at a level. Catchweight matches are often important tools to help promoters. If you have a limited budget and cannot afford to bring someone in from abroad, it helps that you can match your prospect with someone heavier to maybe get some rounds in.

And as you rightly point out, they can save bills.

I standby my initial statement that as long as you make the catchweight match known to the paying public, I have no issue with them.

 

There are so many weight divisions these days it is hard to justify a need for catchweight fights IMO.

Having said that it has probably meant the difference between some of the big fights we've seen getting made and not getting made.

Perhaps just a necessary evil?

 

These fights happen at almost every fight. A weight gets agreed you go to the weigh inn and the other guy is 3-5 lb over the agreed limit. What's funny is the attitudes. I've seen managers say tough to there own fighters. Even say I'll dock the fighter £100. I don't understand why fighters can't come in on weight when the have plenty of notice. Plus I've been at weigh inns seen what fighters have weighed and the weights are changed by the time it gets on Boxrec..

 

Can anyone explain to me why the hell the Canelo fight was at a catchweight? I mean he had to lose ONE POUND for it to be at the correct JMW weight. Bizarre.

 

If the contract is for 155lbs why not take advantage? I suspect with his build Canelo is grateful for every pound he does not need to lose.

Also that match was not catchweight.

 

Point is, why was it at 155? Why can't Canelo lose the extra pound and fight at the proper JMW weight?

Don't see how it wasn't a catchweight fight? 155 isn't a championship weight.

 

A Catchweight match happens when the fighters fight each other having weighed in at two different weight divisions.

For example if Canelo had weighted 161lbs then it would of been a 'catchweight' match.

That both weighed 155lbs in a non title fight is a common practice in boxing that has happened since time immemorial.