168/SMW: The Hideout Division

Sven Ottke, Joe Calzaghe for the most part before he moved up, a couple of others as well. I dunno, I'm just in favor for less divisions in general and less belts as well but thats not gonna happen.

It seems to me that this division so far has produced a lot of fighters who happen to hideout there for ages not wanting to step up their competition or scared to move up, I for one would be happy if they just got rid of it and make all of them fight at Light-Heavy, but maybe I'm just crazy. So Ward and...?

The move up in weight from 168 to 175 is not a real big jump and not that long ago if you couldn't make 160 you had to fight at 175. But 7 pounds is still a noticeable move up. A far more unneeded weight class in my opinion is 115. If a fighter can't make 112 it won't hurt him to move to 118. 3 pounds is just a hamburger and a giant coke. The 4 pounds between 126 and 130 is very small as well.

If a fighter is a natural 168 pounder that's where he should fight. He should not be asked to handicap himself by moving up to 175 and fighting bigger men. That is often how good fighters get themselves beat. A good bigger man usually beats a good smaller man and that's why there are weight classes. If you can beat any fighter in your weight class then you are an excellent fighter and a true champion. Ward is a damn good fighter and a fine champion. If nobody can beat him at 168 that's too bad. I am not a Ward fan at all but he is the best 168 pounder in the world until proven otherwise. Froch is another good 168 pounder who is too small for 175. Hagler, Pryor and Tszyu are examples of champions who fought at the same weight their whole career and got plenty of respect.

They are scared of Bika.

It seems to me that this division so far has produced a lot of fighters who happen to hideout there for ages not wanting to step up their competition or scared to move up, I for one would be happy if they just got rid of it and make all of them fight at Light-Heavy, but maybe I'm just crazy. Wow 5 posts in 7 years!LOL I actually agree though. I wish they would get rid of the go between divisions