Why are the lower weight classes getting so tall?

Steroids in the meat. (Food)

 

Back then they also weighed in at fight night, not a day before

 

This. I wish they would go back to that. it would make climbing weight classes impressive again.

 

you meant victor 161 lbs ortiz fighting for the welterweight title

 

A guy should be fighting at the lowest possible weight that he can make comfortably. Young fighters like Donaire that happens to be tall outgrow a couple of weight classes before they retire.

 

Nothing new really. Here's 3 guys you may have heard of. Roberto Duran at 5'7" began at 119 lbs. Thomas Hearns at 6'1" fought at 147 and Pipino Cuevas at 5'8" started boxing at 135.

I have an old time acquaintance here in New Orleans that fought pro for 10 years that is 5' 10" and fought at Welterweight. This was between 61-71 when he finally retired.

 

Ricardo Lopez fighting at 105lbs and 108lbs while being 5'5''!!!

 

5.8 for lightweight or 5.10 for welter are pretty normal though right?

 

wow! he should be 4'8

 

plus it may well be healthier as i doubt most rationale fighters would think dehyrdrating up until fight time would be safe. now u get guys dehydrating 10-15 lbs day before and think they'll b fine the next day when some aren't. probably best plan would be scheduled weigh ins couple weeks out leading up to (bigger) fights to make sure guys will safely make final weight by fight time

 

I have the answer:

Heights are being exaggerated more often.

 

That is what I've seen as average over the years of watching boxing. Every once in a while you'll get a Hearns type that is over 6 ft. and fighting welter, but they generally are young and haven't stopped maturing and growing.

Then just as odd is the guy built like a fire hydrant, short and compact but they generally don't last too long against taller, rangier opposition.