Natural weight classes

**Bhopreign** · 11-20-2008, 10:35 PM

Originally posted by JAB5239

Was talking about floyd earlier and someone was trying to tell me how great hec was for going to 147 because it wasn't his natural weight. What exactly does that mean? Because he started in a weight class 17lbs shy of where he fought last he couldn't have "naturally" grown into that division?

Not fighting at your natural weight is going up basicly 3 divisions in 1 fight such as Pacquiao is doing again DLH.

Not fighting your natural weight is a guy like Mickey Walker fighting guys 30 and 40lbs heavier than him while barely being bigger than a middlweight.

Fighters today grow into weight classes faster though, because they have more of them. Both Zab and Floyd turned pro at 19 and were welterweights by the time they were 27 and 28 respectively. Both about the same height too.

Miguel cotto turned pro at 20 and was a welterweight by 26.

Shane was a welterweight at 28 after turning pro at 22.

Oscar turned at 19 and was a welter at 24.

Some fighters fighters fill out earlier and are life long in a certain division. Both Margarito and clottey started their careers early and have always been able to stay at 147. Does that mean the don't belong in the division? Are they cheating because they stopped growing before some of their peers?

Unless it is something along the lines of the examples I outlined, there is no such thing as not fighting at your natural weight. If you've retained your speed, reflexes and god given abilites, most likely you've outgrown your former division(s) and belong where you're at.

So all you guys whining about Floyd or anybody else not being at their natural weight.....just quit.

Not so my friend, some of your points are valid but most are not valid. When most people say natural weight they are talking about a fighter's BEST FIGHTING WEIGHT. Just because Floyd fought at 147 doesnt mean that's his natural fighting weight or best fighting weight. Since we all know Floyd didnt carry the same power at 147 let alone 154. You have to understand also Floyd was fighting below 115 when he was 17 also. Trust me 154 nor 147 is his Best Fighting or Natural Fighting Weight.

**savorduhflavor** · 11-20-2008, 10:37 PM

Yep, 147 is definitely not Floyd's best fighting weight. It's probably 135 or 130.

**larryx** · 11-20-2008, 10:40 PM

147 is not floyds natural weight.man..maybe 135-140

**Thread Stealer** · 11-20-2008, 10:42 PM

I'm not sure what exactly a "natural" weight class really is.

I think it's often just used to overrate or downplay a fighter's achievements.

I do think though that Mayweather was on the small-ish side at welterweight.

In his lower weight classes, he was never especially big at the weight, a la Mosley and DLH were @ 135 (and also 130 for DLH). For instance, he was outweighed unoffically on fight night 146 to 136 by Corrales, and 147 to 138 by Castiilo. Mayweather seemed to grow quite well into the classes he was in though. I was surprised by how filled out he looked @ 140. Gatti most likely outweighed him by a lot in the ring, but Mayweather didn't look small.

**Vasyl�s dad** · 11-20-2008, 10:43 PM

Natural weight.

Anyone who gains over 5+ pounds from weigh in to fight night, is not natural.

The majority of fighters are not at natural weights.

**JAB5239** · 11-20-2008, 10:57 PM

Originally posted by Bhopreign

Not so my friend, some of your points are valid but most are not valid. When most people say natural weight they are talking about a fighter's BEST FIGHTING WEIGHT. Just because Floyd fought at 147 doesnt mean that's his natural fighting weight or best fighting weight. Since we all know Floyd didnt carry the same power at 147 let alone 154. You have to understand also Floyd was fighting below 115 when he was 17 also. Trust me 154 nor 147 is his Best Fighting or Natural Fighting Weight.

Im not trying to say its his best weight. I don't think there is any doubt he did his best work at 130. But fighters grow. People grow. Floyd went to 147 at 28 years old and was just as fast and just as slick. He was still in his prime and had a higher ko percentage than at 135, where many would argue was his best weight. What I am saying is he made a natural progression to 147 vand didn't just leap there from 130. I believe Thred Stealer mentioned him being smallish for 147. I would agree with that. But that doersn't mean he doesn't belong or can't compete there. His best weight? No. Natural weight? Yes. Jmo.

**JAB5239** · 11-20-2008, 10:58 PM

Originally posted by Thread Stealer

I'm not sure what exactly a "natural" weight class really is.

I think it's often just used to overrate or downplay a fighter's achievements.

I do think though that Mayweather was on the small-ish side at welterweight.

In his lower weight classes, he was never especially big at the weight, a la Mosley and DLH were @ 135 (and also 130 for DLH). For instance, he was outweighed unoffically on fight night 146 to 136 by Corrales, and 147 to 138 by Castiilo. Mayweather seemed to grow quite well into the classes he was in though. I was surprised by how filled out he looked @ 140. Gatti most likely outweighed him by a lot in the ring, but Mayweather didn't look small.

Good post.

**Thread Stealer** · 11-20-2008, 10:59 PM

Originally posted by JAB5239

Im not trying to say its his best weight. I don't think there is any doubt he did his best work at 130. But fighters grow. People grow. Floyd went to 147 at 28 years old and was just as fast and just as slick. He was still in his prime and had a higher ko percentage than at 135, where many would argue was his best weight. What I am saying is he made a natural progression to 147 vand didn't just leap there from 130. I believe Thred Stealer mentioned him being smallish for 147. I would agree with that. But that doersn't mean he doesn't belong or can't compete there. His best weight? No. Natural weight? Yes. Jmo.

I disagree.

He was faster in the lower weight classes.

**Eric Holder** · 11-20-2008, 10:59 PM

his opposition was horrible, but I kind of enjoyed watching Mayweather fight at 140 and 147

Natural weight classes