Award winning news story about de/rehydration: The Fight Before The Fight

Back on same-day weigh ins... all the fighters ever since are competing a full division or two lower than they would have back then.

 

I ain't no scientist, but I imagine it's possible for intelligent people to accurately test hydration levels without much difficulty. Perhaps someone could enlighten me?

Same day weigh ins, minimum hydration threshold. Problem solved, maybe?

 

It has to go back to same day weigh ins.

To counter the fighters who will still risk their health I think a strict medical after the weigh in would have to be standard.

 

No I mean the opposite. A minimum level of hydration. Say a body water percentage of at least 60%.

 

Canelo is killing himself to make weight every fight. He'll be shot before he turns 30.

 

Rehydration limits? No. Same day weigh-ins? Definitely.

If everyone fought in their proper weight class, there wouldn't be fighters rehydrating by ridiculous amounts.

 

Yeah exactly. You have to be at, say, 90% of certain criteria at the weigh in.
I've had a quick look, and there do seem to be a few methods. Sweat samples can be tested for certain electrolytes and excessive renal function. Urine can be ****ysed for various things (Osmolality :huh).

Thing is I don't know how long it takes to reach some conclusions from these tests, or if they need much lab equipment etc

 

Would same day weigh ins really stop weight cutting?

 

But it was changed from same day because fighters were still boiling down almost, if not just as much, but with even less time to rehydrate to safe levels.

 

You'd never be able to stop weight cutting. But I honestly think that it would better overall if it was to be brought back.

 

I'd still advocate it's return.

Fighters know the risks involved. It's never going to be a safe sport. It's just one of those things. But it would stop guys like Rios, Canelo and Chavez rehydrating by crazy amounts.

I'd also like less divisions.

I think discipline plays a huge part. People like to talk about advancements in sports science etc, but back in the day, fighters used to stay in shape all year round, fighting on a regular basis and staying close to their fight weights. I watched a short profile on Bob Foster a few years ago, and he said that he could have 6 weeks away from the gym and never go above 178/179 pounds.

 

McClellan fought in the same day weigh-in era, and still he was reported to enter the ring in the low to mid 180's in his later middleweight bouts.
So, probably not.