When do boxers have to cut or gain weight, and what exactly do they have to do to make weight for fights?
Do you mean timeline up to a match? Depends on the weight involved and timeline. You're asking some very broad questions.
No. The only reason to cut or gain weight is to weigh a specific amount. If they're dead on their target weight consistently during their training then that's perfect. There is no average really, it depends on when you have your fight arranged. Some fights you may take in a few weeks others a few months. The timeline (as in how long you have till your fight) will dictate what methods of weight loss/gain you will use. This is from very basic knowledge of weight management for boxing. There are guys on here with far more experience with this stuff than me. The main thing to avoid when losing weight is shedding large amounts of water weight, dangerous and stupid.
I doubt many boxers need to gain weight other than after they have dehydrated themselves to lose weight, so they gain weight after they have weighed in. IMO boxing woud be a far safer sport if the boxers fought at or near to their natural weight. Dehyradating and all that nonsense to lose weight is just wrong, not good for the body. The other thing that doesnt make much sense to me is that the fights arent really at the weight of the weigh in. So middleweight weighs in at 160lbs then weighs 170 lbs on fight day, Its not middleweight anymore? should definately be a max weight that can be gained after the weigh in.
Each fighter and bout in particular does vary considering the circumstance they're in. If they have accepted a bout within weeks they will have committed to losing the weight in a fast amount of time. usually means they aren't far from the contracted weight. Otherwise they have a lot of pain on their hands trying to make weight. If their weight in is month or two away they have a lot more time to work it off and focus on other things. generally fighters walk around a couple kg's or more heavier than their weight class. work it off during camp. then also its surprising how much weight is lost when an empty stomach, water depleted, **** depleted body is on the scales. Ideally you should walk around at your weight class but every advantage counts during the bout including more weight behind the shots.
all different....pro's usually weigh in the day before amateurs day of (generally) that makes a difference how much you can cut as far as water weight goes)
On my nationals 2011 i had to weigh in every morning b4 my fight. So i weighed in i fought in the afternoon,then i cut again b4 my next fight the next day. 3 fights, 3 weightcuts.