People have to remember that a weight class is a range of weights. If I asked what's Welterweight? Most folks would say 147. Most folks would be wrong. Welterweight is absolutely anything above 140 and the uppermost limit is 147.
What do you call a title fight at 142 lbs.? A Welterweight title fight.
Now, is it strategy to dictate in a contract that your opponent has to meet you below the uppermost limit? Yes, if you think that extra struggle would weaken them. But, so is dictating what gloves they can/can't wear, who ring walks first, who gets announced first, # days-out weight limits, etc.
Strategy, yes. Cheating, no. A fight within a weight division's range is a fight in that division.
What do you call a title fight at 142 lbs.? A Welterweight title fight.
Now, is it strategy to dictate in a contract that your opponent has to meet you below the uppermost limit? Yes, if you think that extra struggle would weaken them. But, so is dictating what gloves they can/can't wear, who ring walks first, who gets announced first, # days-out weight limits, etc.
Strategy, yes. Cheating, no. A fight within a weight division's range is a fight in that division.
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