Regarding weight loss, straight from the horses mouth

[Kev]

Depends on the man, I remember a few years ago Larry and Jim talking about Hopkins being proud of his 31in waist and how much of a fanatic he is about his body and how he wont even touch a cookie or cake.

Some fighters turn into homer simpson between fights and then have to boil down at the 11th hour, those are the fighters that typically would be effected adversely.. Guys that stay reasonably around their fighting weight between fights arent going to be killing themselves dropping a few more pounds

If that's the case those JT don't you agree that if someone, such as for example Oscar cannot drop the weight properly it's basically shame on them, and should reflect on their overal ability as a fighter?

I mean we the truly elite fighters to have the skill set and talent to be able to move up through the weight classes and win despite facing bigger guys should not the same logic extend to those who have the between fights discipline and mental toughness to be able to keep permantly in shape and thus are able to make weights that those who let themselves go cannot?

For example I believe that Hopkins ability to drop to 158, and to keep himself at 160 in such good condition for so long reflects well on him and is one of the reasons why I believe he's a better boxer than Oscar who clearly let a life of indulgance and excess get in the way of his training in his final fights?

I'm guessed that you've never boxed. Not holding that against you, but you wouldn't make statements about dropping weight if you had. There gets to a certain point where you can't reach the weight. For example, when I was 17, I could get down to the Featherweight limit with training, even though I was the same height I am now, as I didn't have the same level musculature as I do now, where I would struggle even with hard training to make the Light-Welterweight limit. Now I'm 23 now & fairly naturally muscled, but just my growth means that making certain weights isn't possible.

Hopkins was able to make it by living a life few of us could, partly due to a regimental attitude drilled into him during his time in prison. However, no way NOW could he make the Middleweight limit. Oscar brought it on himself by choosing to fight at 147 & trying to make the weight the wrong way because naturally his body couldn't get him down there in the same way Campbell's body couldn't get him below 138 for his fight with Funeka. This is not necessarily due to his living outside of fights (Campbell is pretty good, Oscar less so) but age. Oscar was capable of making 150 for his fight with Forbes, but I suspect that was his natural limit. What some guys can do, others can't.

Cotto does not live well outside of fights & I suspect it will catch up with him most probably at the hands of Pacquiao, who I suspect beats him anyway as he's a superior fighter. At the moment that fight is looking far from certain to be signed because Cotto's team are not keen on the catchweight

Also Jaz you bring up another point. In attempting to demonstrate practical experience of this matter over me you have highlighted anther usueful point.

You, (I presume an amatuer boxer) KNOW what your weight limits are and what you can safely make.

Now I may be wrong but I'm guessing you are not a professional athlete with a world class team of trainers and nutritionists around you and 25 plus years of fighting experience to guide you, yet you claim to know your weight limits.

How did Oscar not know his?

If his team were so slack and woefully poor that they undertook to reach a fighting weight that was impossible for him to reach, then once again shame on HIM AND THEM!

It was Oscars responsibility to get down to 147 lbs, he claimed he could do it, his team of highly paid, experienced professionals were on hand to ensure he could do it and if they fucked it up it's his lookout.