How dangerous is cutting weight?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by quackman33, Jun 25, 2008.

  1. quackman33

    quackman33 Member Full Member

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    Had a discussion with a friend of mine last night about making weight in wrestling. He said at his school the wrestlers would throw up before matches or just not even eat to make weight. We both were'nt sure how long before the match wrestlers had to weigh in(maybe 2 hrs). He said wrestlers are just like jockeys going through hell to make weight. The weight classes are similar to boxing with every class being between 3-5 pounds for the lower and 8-10 pounds for the higher classes.

    My question is, is rehydrating something they should do in wrestling so they're not killing themselves to make weight? Is it dangerous in boxing? Were there less fatalities in boxing when they use to weigh in that same day?

    Thoughts please
     
  2. Bazooka

    Bazooka Pimp C Wants 2 Be Me Full Member

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    They should behave themselves year round so they dont have to starve themselves or dehydrate themselves to make weight, in other words if they want to participate in any sport they should carry themselves like a responsible young adult meaning you know what is right and wrong and you shouldnt need anybody there to babysit your ass.
    the point I am making is there are alot of young guys that want to box wrestle or what ever but they lack the self disapline outside of the gym, tons of talent, but they also have a passion for them doritos or some ****ing Beer, or they blaze some weed and munch the **** out.
    The way i look it it is if I feel that your not responsible enough to take care of yourself outside of the gym, i dont waste my ****ing time.

    To answer your question
    Yes its dangerous to put you body through that kind of shock at the last min, yes its dangerous in boxing, dehydration is dangerous in life in genral.
     
  3. TFFP

    TFFP Guest

    Of course its dangerous, its not natural for the body to deal with such drastic fluctuations, and we've seen that with Roy Jones and Chris Byrd more recently to use exaggerated examples. However, with science and knowledge improving the risks are minimized, and like anything it depends on the extent to which you take it.

    Everyone cuts weight, otherwise you are seriously at a physical disadvantage. The lack of major casualties would suggest its not too much of a risk if done sensibly and over a period of time.
     
  4. Beeston Brawler

    Beeston Brawler Comical Ali-egedly Full Member

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    I don't think cutting weight is necessarily unhealthy at all. The thing that can make it unhealthy is the method in which it is done.

    For instance, Joe Calzaghe loses between 20 & 25lbs prior to each fight, during a 12 week training camp - therefore a loss of under 2lbs a week, which is no issue.

    But losing in excess of 7lbs in a week becomes dangerous, as does vomiting before the weigh in and not hydrating yourself properly.
     
  5. freddy-wak

    freddy-wak M O D E R A T O R Full Member

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    yes it iS...
    when the body is dehydrated, it uses fluids from your brain to make up for it.....that alone is a big NO NO
     
  6. Beeston Brawler

    Beeston Brawler Comical Ali-egedly Full Member

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    There is a common myth that drinking water causes you to gain weight, which is total bollocks.

    If you drink ten glasses of water per day, you are likely to have more energy and be more alert, both of which are very important come fight time.

    Another thing is that it rids the body of toxins that do you no good whatsoever.

    Basically, the diet programme should begin with an enema (gross I know) followed by good proteins such as chicken, together with salads and veg - with no fizzy drinks and no booze, whilst training should be a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic exercises, such as sprinting and swimming, mixed with a carefully monitored weights programme, and time in the ring.