Is staying at your weight defending the title underrated?

It's severly underrated. I actually don't mind it when guys do that. I think it's good to watch guys chase titles across many weight classes but often times those fights tend to lose integrity because they will go after the weakest link to obtain the title and it loses it's merit. I like the idea of a solid champion at one weight division. I don't think it's any less of an accomplisment to have an extended length of titles defenses in one division.

Right, kind of like how Margarito had to give up his belt to fight Cotto. What a travesty/joke that was. Actually, he did NOT have to give up the belt. IBF rules allow unifications to take priority over mandatories. Margo vacated it because Arum had promised Clottey a title shot.

depends if you are staying at your weight class as the undisputed champ fighting good comp and cementing a legacy, thats pretty good but if youre holding on to some shitty belt for 10 years (cough calzaghe) fighting mediocre level fighters...thats not very worthy at all, better move up in weight to a better division and chase a big fight Very true. Unless you're a HW.:D

Seriously it seems like most fighters today dont dominate their divisions and face upcoming prospects. They all go for the big names in other weight classes for $$$. I feel it is a mistake, first dominate your division and unify if possible then go for the next weight class! Pavlik for instance, why the hell is he fighting B-Hop. No disrespect to Bernard but what about Abraham or the other title holders at middle? And I think it would serve guys like Paul Williams and send a message to Margarito if he stays at welter and dominates until the other top guys have no choice but to take him on. But on the other hand maybe it isnt the fault of the beltholders? It also seems prospects are not crazy about stepping it up nowadays either.. What do you think? I think if you can be healthy (not weight drained) and stay at your weight prove to be THEE best in that division then THAT is a true accomplishment... its one thing to simply WIN a title in your divsion and its another to win them all and gets wins over any and all competition in that weight class (from the big names to the prospects). THAT is a remarkable accomplishment to be able to retire and not only YOU (the boxer) but the fans and media know you were THEE BEST of your time in that division that no one could touch you. If you cant stay at the weight (without killing yourself to make weight) then i say go and move up. However i agree it does seem like that in current times boxers will move up and down mattering on what is the biggest money fight available and that not how it should be all the time...i can see taking a fight or two up or down a weight class for a huge PPV payday but to do it once a year or more isnt silencing all critics... I know boxers need to make their money while they can (since boxing isnt a career or job that you are promised longevity) but if they care about their legacy they need to leave open invitations to any and all comers. its best for everyone.

And who exactly was in the division at the time that was 1st rate competition?? Which was why I agreed that it depended on the level of a division whether champs should stay there He could have tried to unify with Joe Calzaghe, but that 0 would have went. But i agree, it is dependant on comp in your weight class, recently for example you have Floyd goign up through 5 weights and winning titles in all of them but not hanging around long enough in any 1 to really test himself, on the flipside you could take hopkins, record 20 defenses in one weight class but through the years the division is pretty weak and his biggest fights came against guys who had to move up in weight for him. I dont think staying at one weight is underrated at all but not for bullshit mandatories like ottke used to or say Sturm at the moment

Sven Ottke did what? I don't recall Ottke cleaning out SMW. What I remember is him fighting second rate competition in his own kitchen and getting gifts from judges that seemed to be closely related to him. And who exactly was in the division at the time that was 1st rate competition?? Which was why I agreed that it depended on the level of a division whether champs should stay there

Yep. Sven Otke was a long time champ that cleaned out his division but does anyone remember or care? Sven Ottke did what? I don't recall Ottke cleaning out SMW. What I remember is him fighting second rate competition in his own kitchen and getting gifts from judges that seemed to be closely related to him.

It all depends on the level of competition in your weight class. I am far more accepting of champions that go after big name fighters in other divisions if their own is a little lacking. Yep. Sven Otke was a long time champ that cleaned out his division but does anyone remember or care?

It all depends on the level of competition in your weight class. I am far more accepting of champions that go after big name fighters in other divisions if their own is a little lacking.

Pavlik hasn't abandoned middleweight yet. And yes, I think it is underrated. Look at fighters like Duran, Hagler, and Monzon. They are considered the best ever at their respective classes in no small part due to fighting the majority of their careers at a single weight.

Abraham has a mandatory defense against Marquez, Sturm is not willing to travel outside of Germany to fight Pavlik, his promoters don't want to take the risk. Sanctioning bodies don't really like fighters unifying with other sanctioning bodies, sometimes promoters get in the way of unification fights, it's much harder to unify nowadays. Right, kind of like how Margarito had to give up his belt to fight Cotto. What a travesty/joke that was.

Abraham has a mandatory defense against Marquez, Sturm is not willing to travel outside of Germany to fight Pavlik, his promoters don't want to take the risk. Sanctioning bodies don't really like fighters unifying with other sanctioning bodies, sometimes promoters get in the way of unification fights, it's much harder to unify nowadays.

Prizefighting is a job just like any other occupation. Sooner or later they have to decide whether a legacy is more important than financial security just as you or I have to decide whether that raise or promotion is worth all the extra hours you put in