I’m sure the topic of whether the number of different weight classifications in boxing are really necessary has been discussed over and over, I personally would like to see a reduction but would like to know how you think a reduced system would affect each division. If I could pick the limts I would do the following.... Super Heavyweight (No Limit) [Too big] Nikolay Valuev Heavyweight (252lb) 18 Samuel Peter, Wladimir Klitschko, Ruslan Chagaev Cruiserweight (210lb) 15 Steve Cunningham, Jean-Mark Mormeck, O’Neil Bell Light Heavyweight (182lb) 13 Bernard Hopkins, Clinton Wood Antonio Tarver Middleweight (168lb) 12 Joe Calzaghe, Kelley Pavlk, Mikkel Kessler, Welterweight (154lb) 11 Vernon Forrest, Verno Phillips, Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, Paul Williams Zab Judah, Floyd Mayweather Lightweight (140lb) 10 , Ricky Hatton, Junior Whitter, Paul Malgnaggi. Featherweight (133lb) 9.5 Manny Pacquiao, Juan Marquez, Joan Guzman, Nate Campbell, Joel Casamayor. Bantamweight (126lbs) 9 [Too Small] Giants like Nicolay Valuev and other heavyweights above 18 stone would be removed from the heavyweight division, the Samuel Peters of the world better get in shape to compete and no more Danny Williams style 20 stone disgraces encouraging fitness skill and speed over size. A higher limit for cruiserweight would allow the smaller heavies to step down and would strengthen the division, any fighter below 220 lbs has no chance in the current system so they bulk up, could shed a few pounds and make Cruiserweight. I see no problem with the likes of Cunningham and Enzo Macrinelli fighting 15 stone men. Fighters like Herbie Hide wasted their careers at Heavy when they could have been an awesome at a 15 stone limit. The current Light Heavy division is full of bulked up Middleweights but an increase to 182 lbs would make this a real Light Heavy division for bigger guys, it would be a lot Harder for the likes of Calzaghe to step up to Light Heavyweight with a full stone gap. Middleweight is where things start to get interesting, The current middleweights are forced to compete with Super Middleweights are step down to 154. Pavlick & Wright fighting Calzaghe and Kessler. I don’t think it is a huge jump in size. If the Welterweight division was 154 Mayweather would have to take on Forrest and Phillips take on an already strong Welterweight division, some of the smaller guys including Mayweather might have to step back down to 140 It would be interesting which of the current Welterweights could cut it at 154lbs, and which would drop down to 140 and face Hatton. A 133 featherweight would be interesting pitting Campbell and Casamayor against Pacquiao, Marquez and Guzman.
At one time it didn't need fixing, as they had fewer divisions. Heavy: Open LT Hvy: 175 Middle: 160 Welter: 147 Light: 135 Feather: 126 Bantam:118 That's how it was. The only change I would make would be the addition of cruiser weight (200 lb limit). The multiplicity of governing bodies is more of a problem IMO. If we had ONE recognized governing body and the foregoing weight classes, we would have EIGHT champions instead of a possible SIXTY-EIGHT. Titles would then mean something.
It's unrealistic in this day and time ,, the reason they added the addition weight classes is so a guy that can make his weight class by 2 to 3 does not have to compete in a weight class were he may be out weighed by 10 to 12 pounds... The you would also have to bring in same day weigh in's , so that no one has a serious weight advantage. Money would also be an issue, you would have to guarantee that the champion gets the lion share of the pot ..
your excluding fighter to fight or compete because of there natural size. How are going to tell guys like Valuev he can't compete because he's too big? Guy like vernon forest who are not strong enough to compete at 160 would have cut weight to 140 ?!?! this type of fight game may have worked 60 years ago but it wont cut it as of now.
Is a fighter who's natural size is 210lbs having to fight Valuev right? I think a new division for guys over 18 stone is better. Vernon Forset could fight at 154 in this system.
Yes he could, but you mis the point were he would be forced to fight a naturally bigger and stronger middle weight . And there not enough guys Valuev size in boxing for him to compete with ,, the division would more then likely have about 5-10 competitors everyone else would be to busy making millions in basketball.
Also it totally and completely undermines the legitimacy of the HW champion. Heavyweight is an openweight for a reason.
I have no problem with all the weight classes. It allows more fighters to be competive within a nich class and makes for alot of good fights. The truely great fighters can dominate more than one division and everone knows who they are. I wouldn't mind seeing a weight class added actually at like 215 to 220. Alot of guys can't compete with the Wlad's of the world because they are too short, and can't make cruiser because they are too big.
