Do most fans realise the hell fighters go through to make weight?

Yes, most do.

 

I think most fans, including me, don't know what fighters go through. Intellectually, we may know the things fighters do and the mental and physical difficulties they may have to endure. However, I do think that unless you actually experience the hell a boxer has to go through to achieve a weight goal you can't really know what they go through.

As a side note, I do think I relate to what Big Baby Miller, Andy Ruiz and Butterbean do to make weight.

 

Most educated fight fans know and most don't like it.

 

I had an amateur fight a few years ago and the cutting process felt miserable. I’m in pretty good shape at 170, but I had to be just under 160 for the weigh in. Days prior I was running in sweats to cut everything out and by fight day I was starving and felt very weak. During the fight I could feel all my muscles cramping up and got very light headed when it was over. The fight itself was pretty slow paced and neither of us got hit that hard and I still felt like trash. I can’t even imagine losing 20+ pounds and still having to go 12 rounds the next day. It’s a shame that these fighters have to kill themselves just to not be outweighed by 15+ lbs on fight night. Add in the fact that it’s absolutely terrible for their brain health.

 

I know how hard it is and so do the fighters. Fight at the weight you can safely make. I have no sympathy for fighters that try desperately to cut weight they can't make. If you can do it and do it safely more power to you, but if you can't and harm yourself and in the process screw over your opponent, then you are the ass.

 

XD XD XD

 

I had 6 amateur fights and I would cut weight for those because I naturally fell right between Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight. So I did fight at Light Heavyweight. At the time I felt like I had to cut weight because that’s what the professional fighters do. Like if I would not cut weight I would not be taking it serious enough. The strongest, fastest, and most explosive I have ever been was at 190 lbs. At 178 lbs/81 KG I lost a bit of strength, speed, explosiveness, and endurance. In hindsight I think it was misguided to cut weight at the novice amateur level. I don’t think it was necessary and it sucked and might have been somewhat counterproductive.

 

Hell? Not only are they warriors they're in sauna hell too.
Hell is the frontline of Ukraine v Russia.
Draining huge weight to cheat isn't hell at all.
In fact fighters who cut moderate weight, like Froch, aren't too bothered.
Only the ones trying to cut ridiculous amounts have real difficulties and it's their own fault.
I'm glad it's difficult for them, because they're trying to cheat the system. Hopefully there is a lot more suffering to come for them.

 

You are correct, but it’s getting to the point where you have to cut large amounts just to even the playing field. If all the top level guys are coming in +20lbs on fight nigh, everyone else will have to go through this process just to have a chance. Same day weigh ins should be brought back.

 

I'm sure most if not all fans are aware boxers cut weight, but I doubt they all know what that entails and won't understand just how gruelling it can be physically and mentally. Unless you have gone through the process you will never truly understand. Most people these days can't even maintain a healthy weight, getting them to drop down to 10-12% body fat or lower and then drop several lbs or more of bodyweight in fluids on top of that is going to be impossible for most people.

 

Yeah it gets rough when you are burning muscle and you smell like cat ****.

 

Real boxing fans do and they acknowledge this by paying attention to weigh-ins.

 

Fighters who go through hell to do that lose my respect. It's tough and it isn't sustainable, it's done to weight bully opponents. Fighters with longevity and discipline who fight in a sensible weight class do it relatively easy. If you're skilled enough you don't go through hell to make weight.