Thread: Yes or No Poll regarding Catchweights

If a potential mega fight betweeen two fighters from different weight classes can be made only at catchweight, with neither fighter willing to go to the other fighter's weight class because he is too small or too big would you rather they fought at an agreed catchweight so we can enjoy the spectacle and ultimate goal of our sport to see the best fight the best or would you rather the fight did not take place at all than to see the traditions of weight classes so violated?


Also a secondary question to ponder. Why is it when two fighters in different weight classes could meet, its always assumed that its the little guys responsibility to move UP and not for the other fighter to move down? Is not the responsibility upon the two EQUAL? If Manny is regarded as universally p4p number 1 then why should any weight agreement involve him being a 'man' and moving up, and not the other guys being 'men' and giving up some weight?

And if the bigger fighter does not believe he can safely lose the weight, or that by doing so he gives up too much, what is actually wrong with them meeting halfway to ensure the fight still happens?

Originally Posted by Bilbo

If a potential mega fight betweeen two fighters from different weight classes can be made only at catchweight, with neither fighter willing to go to the other fighter's weight class because he is too small or too big would you rather they fought at an agreed catchweight or would you rather the fight did not take place at all?

Honestly... I''d rather it not take place.

I would like to see Crusierweight and Super Middleweight go away. Too many choices.

Getting rid of Jr. Batamweight and Jr. Flyweight wouldn't be a bad idea either.


Sorry. I clicked edit instead of quote.

Originally Posted by BoxingGorilla

Originally Posted by Bilbo

If a potential mega fight betweeen two fighters from different weight classes can be made only at catchweight, with neither fighter willing to go to the other fighter's weight class because he is too small or too big would you rather they fought at an agreed catchweight or would you rather the fight did not take place at all?

Honestly... I''d rather it not take place.

I would like to see Crusierweight and Super Middleweight go away. Too many choices.

Getting rid of Jr. Batamweight and Jr. Flyweight wouldn't be a bad idea either.


Sorry. I clicked edit instead of quote.

So you think it's more important to have set weight classes than for fighters to fight at the best weight?

In the case of the supermiddleweight division for example you'd rather guys like Bute, Froch, Kessler, Andrade et al were to fight at a less than ideal weight class, where their potential is not fully realised and we wouldn't get to appreciate them fighting at 100% than you would have to put up with another weight class?

What I'm saying is what's more important. The best fighters fighting at their best weights to give us the best and most competitive fights or to force fighters to fit in with fixed weight classes?

I mean who is the sport for ultimately, the boxers and fans and having the best fights, or traditions and weight class rules?

Don't you think its putting the cart in front of the horse?

And honestly, if Cotto versus Pacquaio happens at 143 you won't be watching it?

to be honest if it gets a fight made that i want to see and none of the fighters are at too much of a disadvantage then i think its ok

I voted YES. But it should be a non-title.

Originally Posted by ASIAN SENSATION

I voted YES. But it should be a non-title.

i agree

If DelaHoya and Hopkins fought for the Middleweight championship at 158 lbs. instead of 160 pound limit then why can't Pacquiao-Cotto fight in a catchweight?

Originally Posted by Pavlik

If DelaHoya and Hopkins fought for the Middleweight championship at 158 lbs. instead of 160 pound limit then why can't Pacquiao-Cotto fight in a catchweight?

Because besides Pacman fans no one likes Pacman. And the reason is their fans.

Of course this also applies to other fighter's fan base too. But that's the reason, a lot of people hate Pacman because of his fans so it's not okay for him to fight at a catchweight but other guys have.

You guys can blame yourself for it. Although a lot of boxing fans don't like Hatton and Khan also. Another uninformed fanbase.

Originally Posted by generalbulldog

Originally Posted by Pavlik

If DelaHoya and Hopkins fought for the Middleweight championship at 158 lbs. instead of 160 pound limit then why can't Pacquiao-Cotto fight in a catchweight?

Because besides Pacman fans no one likes Pacman. And the reason is their fans.

Of course this also applies to other fighter's fan base too. But that's the reason, a lot of people hate Pacman because of his fans so it's not okay for him to fight at a catchweight but other guys have.

You guys can blame yourself for it. Although a lot of boxing fans don't like Hatton and Khan also. Another uninformed fanbase.

Well i like and respect Manny Pacquiao, even though im a fan of JMM. I still admire the amount of balls Manny Pacquiao is showing taking all these fights, and i love his exciting style.

I can't really understand how anyone couldn't like Manny Pacquiao, obviously alot of his fans are going to go. Over the top because they haven't really got alot of sporting greats at the moment.

And thats no disrespect to the Filipino people, by the way and im no expert on your country. So if im wrong please tell me but thats what i think anyway.

So i now i've just learnt to excuse some of his fans, and just enjoy what a great fighter we have at the moment. I mean the amount of titles he's won at all those weightclasses is incredible.

You may not see a fighter like this for years or maybe even decades to come, so enjoy it while your in this era. And don't be silly enough to let the fans spoil your enjoyment for a fighter.

Originally Posted by paddy448

Originally Posted by ASIAN SENSATION

I voted YES. But it should be a non-title.

i agree

As an absolute minimum requirement

I would rather they didn't (I voted NO) but i guess you cant help some people

I voted no because I really don't see the point in catch weights. We have a perfectly good system in place. If a fighter cannot fight at 147 then just clean up at 140. I find the example of Pac possibly fighting Cotto at 143/144 so cynical and just don't think that type of thing adds anything to the sport.In that case I would prefer the fight not to happen and for Pac to chase smaller purses at 140 instead. Now if he was willing go up to the next weight properly then that would be cool, but if he can't do that then I don't see the point.

I dont mind if its a rare occasion...

Most are growing quite weary of Manny "Pander for Catchweight' Pacquiao

If you wanna fight the best in the higher weight class than fight that fighter were he is strongest, he's already making a living at that weight and is flourishing. If not than stay in your own weight class.

It's really quite simple.. The rigors an bigger guy has to go thru to boil down in weight leaves him drained and not as vibrant or 100% The guy moving up can diet better and not deprive himself of the substance and fortitude his body needs to operate at optimal level. There is no abuse of dehydrate, steam rooms, no water. Etc

Like I said an occasional Catchweight is fine but when a fighter and his trainer are trying to blatantly cheat history by chooching a 7th title from a weaken drained fighter is pathetic and exhausting

I'd say if they want to call it a title fight, then don't have the catchweight. If PAC is saying he can't compete at welterweight so he needs a catchweight, then he has no business fighting for a welterweight title. And this so called record he sets by being in a champ in another division really won't have much meaning. I suppose a catchweight is ok if they call it a non-title fight, except I don't think it is good for the sport to have a champion fight a non-title fight. Problem is imo that a fighter demanding a catchweight usually indicates they think they are bigger than the sport, and that's never a good thing.

So I say no.

Originally Posted by JT Rock

I dont mind if its a rare occasion...

Most are growing quite weary of Manny "Pander for Catchweight' Pacquiao

If you wanna fight the best in the higher weight class than fight that fighter were he is strongest, he's already making a living at that weight and is flourishing. If not than stay in your own weight class.

It's really quite simple.. The rigors an bigger guy has to go thru to boil down in weight leaves him drained and not as vibrant or 100% The guy moving up can diet better and not deprive himself of the substance and fortitude his body needs to operate at optimal level. There is no abuse of dehydrate, steam rooms, no water. Etc

Like I said an occasional Catchweight is fine but when a fighter and his trainer are trying to blatantly cheat history by chooching a 7th title from a weaken drained fighter is pathetic and exhausting

I'm pretty sure all of the members here pretty much know that I'm not a Pacman fan. But when did he ever fought at a catch weight? The Oscar fight? That was at a 147 pound limit. Oscar and Pacman was 3 weight classes apart. So they met at the welterweight limit. I don't think it's reasonable to expect a guy to jump 3 weight classes. No boxing fan would want any fighter to jump from 135 to 154 for a mega fight, for it would be too one sided of a fight.

Originally Posted by ICB

Originally Posted by generalbulldog

Originally Posted by Pavlik

If DelaHoya and Hopkins fought for the Middleweight championship at 158 lbs. instead of 160 pound limit then why can't Pacquiao-Cotto fight in a catchweight?

Because besides Pacman fans no one likes Pacman. And the reason is their fans.

Of course this also applies to other fighter's fan base too. But that's the reason, a lot of people hate Pacman because of his fans so it's not okay for him to fight at a catchweight but other guys have.

You guys can blame yourself for it. Although a lot of boxing fans don't like Hatton and Khan also. Another uninformed fanbase.

Well i like and respect Manny Pacquiao, even though im a fan of JMM. I still admire the amount of balls Manny Pacquiao is showing taking all these fights, and i love his exciting style.

I can't really understand how anyone couldn't like Manny Pacquiao, obviously alot of his fans are going to go. Over the top because they haven't really got alot of sporting greats at the moment.

And thats no disrespect to the Filipino people, by the way and im no expert on your country. So if im wrong please tell me but thats what i think anyway.

So i now i've just learnt to excuse some of his fans, and just enjoy what a great fighter we have at the moment. I mean the amount of titles he's won at all those weightclasses is incredible.

You may not see a fighter like this for years or maybe even decades to come, so enjoy it while your in this era. And don't be silly enough to let the fans spoil your enjoyment for a fighter.

The Manny Pacquiaos aren't really that rare in my opinion. We tend to have a few in every decade of the sport. Roy Jones started his career at 154 and then went on to win every title in his division including one of the alphabet HW titles. Oscar won titles starting at 130 all the way to 160. Floyd won titles at 130 all the way to 154. Duran won titles as a LW all the way to middleweight.

Pacman has a good career, but nothing unique.