Seriously they need to get rid of some and change the weights, I feel there's a lot of fighters hiding out in weight classes that should't exist in the first place. As for changing the weights for the weight classes, I think they should to keep the sport in tune with our times, the current weights are outdated.
Bantamweight - 120lbs and under
Featherweight - 120lbs - 130lbs
Lightweight - 130lbs - 140lbs
Welterweight - 140lbs - 155lbs
Middleweight - 155lbs - 170lbs
Light Heavy - 170lbs - 190lbs
Cruiserweight - 190lbs - 210lbs
Heavyweight - 210lbs +
I only added Cruiserweight in there because its a strange transition zone between the LHW and Heavy.
What do you guys think? Am I crazy or does it make sense? I know the sanctioning bodies will never allow this.
Fights will not be contested where there is a 10-12lb difference between the fighters, depending on what weight class. This is for safety.
I take it that you've never thrown fists with somebody skilled and 20lbs heavier than you. It's a huge difference once you put on fight gloves.......... Rockin':boxing:
I have and while it does indeed stink to get hit by someone heavier than you, you can offset that with your skill . Now when I laid out the ranges for each weight class, keep in mind said fighters can adjust their weight accordingly within each weight class so this levels the playing field to be more fair. Also like people have been mentioning here, the rehydration aspect is crucial here so that certain fighters (Canelo comes to mind) don't blow up 20lbs from the weigh in date.
I would argue that we need another weight class! Lol Junior Cruiserweight (185) 175 to 200 is a huge gap. The most a weight class is seperated by is 8 pounds (160-168) to ten have a 25 pound separation is stupid. Make a 185 pound division in between LHW and CW.
Why don't we just abolish weight classes all together and have everyone fight Klitschko? That way we can see who the real p4p #1 is.
Then boxing popularity will plummet down again. And nobody will watch it anymore. Most HW today is too big and too slow (boring). What I like about Lower Weights is the speed and excitement it brings.
Revising the weight limit could level the playing field between 2 boxers.
Official Weight /Fight Night Weight
.................. / ..................
WW 141-147 / less than 154
LMW 148-154 / less than 160
MW 155-160 / less than 168
etc............... / ..................
The Maximum Limit of a Fight Night Weight(WW) should be less than the Maximum Official Weight of the Next Bigger Class Weight (LMW). Of course HW is exception here. But they should limit the Fight Night Weight of HW too.
At least in this limits, they won't affect their health and still could rehydrate in the next day. And the bigger guys in lower weights should move in their proper weights.
Yes, as previously said, it's the re-hydration that is the issue. The list you made is good, but also for the limit, on fight not, you can't weigh more than that either.
That would then force people to fight at more natural weights to their body. Either that or same day weigh ins
Maybe they should hold the weigh in the day off the fights...that would stop guys like Canelo from fighting 20 pounds under the weight they walk around at..
I think there should be a "super" heavyweight division as well. Over like 230 lbs...it's unfair for someone 210 to have to fight a guy who could be around 260-270 lbs and 6-7..
I think the main problem with weight is that boxers rehydrate too much after weigh in. Someone like Canelo fighting 140 pounders would be unfair.
Under this system Canelo wouldn't be fighting 140lb'ers. I would propose like another poster mentioned, a rehydration clause, this way it keeps the fighters honest and a move even playing field.
And as Floyd has shown (I don't like the ******* by the way) that your skill level will be the determining factor in winning a fight not your weight.
I think the main problem with weight is that boxers rehydrate too much after weigh in. Someone like Canelo fighting 140 pounders would be unfair.
^^^^^This.
The simpler fix, or at least more simple than changing weight classes is going back to same day weigh-ins.
That limits the ability for fighters to completely dehydrate to make weight or at the very least makes them pay the price for being dehydrated on the day of the fight.
If all the fighters in your weight class are bigger than you and you don't have the skills to overcome this size advantage, you should just move down in weight. Fighters are athletes and they have to be in shape all year round, fighters have problems making weight cuz they enjoy themselves too much and they forget that they're athletes during layoffs.
^^^^^^^^^ Thisssssss
The smaller you are, the more difference a few pounds make. If you abolish divisions lower down, you'll see huge size disparities which will make for more unequal contests.
If all the fighters in your weight class are bigger than you and you don't have the skills to overcome this size advantage, you should just move down in weight. Fighters are athletes and they have to be in shape all year round, fighters have problems making weight cuz they enjoy themselves too much and they forget that they're athletes during layoffs.
I agree that there are way too many divisions from 140 lbs down and a lot of big fights can't be made because of this.
I think the weights divisions should be separated by at least 7-8 lbs increments to force fighters to be in shape and to make the best fight the best.
Also there has to be some limit on heavyweights, i think it's bad for boxing when a casual fan turns on TV and sees 2 fat tubs of goo fighting and gassing out after 3 rounds, I think it's just very unappealing. They're supposed to be athletes, at least get in shape!
The smaller you are, the more difference a few pounds make. If you abolish divisions lower down, you'll see huge size disparities which will make for more unequal contests.