Yes I agree in principal but it makes me lose respect for them. Boxing is supposed to be the ultimate fair fight that is why weight classes have existed since The Marquess of Queensberry Rules. There is no honor in beating a man much smaller than you in any kind of fight. There is not much honor left in boxing anymore so I see your point but I also see why it triggers anger and frustration in the hardcore fans myself included.
All it would take imo is to just reduce the number of weight classes. It's too much! E.g., 147-154-160 ; just remove 154. You remove these closed up, narrow bands, then boxers can make weight safer and the concept of weight draining/bullying would hopefully reduce.
That would work, but I would hate for a fight I've been looking forward to to be cancelled. Plus, fans tend to think that the other guy will come in over, not the guy we like.
Think about it. Could get some good fights. A guy knows he's 4-5 down from the jump. Dude is gonna fight his ass off.
Good responses. I wish to highlight a few things. As others have said, weight bullying is not technically cheating. No rules are being broken. So the saying “if they make the weight, they make the weight” is accurate. The problem is whether this is really a loophole that allows “unfair” (vague term I know) size advantages to one fighter. When a fighter from a higher weight class beats a lower weight class fighter, his win can be somewhat tainted because some view it as a potential mismatch. For example, Canelo beat the undefeated undisputed champion Jermell Charlo…but because Canelo was officially the bigger fighter this not seen as a great victory for Canelo. So can weight bullying be seen as a similar scenario, like a sort of “unofficial mismatch”?
It's definitely real. Fighters like David Lemieux, Gerald McClellan, Jeison Rosario, etc. Weight bullies force (hurt) themselves to make weight, despite outgrowing a division, for the advantages.
They do it for the advantages it is real but legal. I don't care too much tho, it's when you have guys like Haney or Ramirez who maximizes his size advantage that I get annoyed, but at least Ramirez moved up Haney should be at welterweight minimum. He should be fighting Chukhadzhian or Stanionis. He knows he's too chinny and featherfisted to be fighting in his proper weight class, and he's not good enough to make up for it
One fc has a good system in place This content is protected Also it's legal so it shouldn't change the rules
I just dont get why weight cutting is still a thing, You should weigh in 1-2 hrs before the fight, if you miss weight you get banned from the sport for 3 years, let's say there should be 1-2 lbs leniency Simple and effective. Fight at your natural weight so weight cutting isn't an option
Agree with this. There's no weight bully's just guys who should probably be fighting a division below but do t know how to make the weight or feel they are good enough at the agreed weight
True, but don't you feel this is somewhat of mismatch in that despite being equal on paper...its a fight between two different weight classes?
It's definitely a real thing; ultimately the solution in my eyes are same day weigh-ins with rehydration limits, and bioelectrical impedance analysis prior to the fight to ensure fighters are not entering the ring dehydrated.
