Catch weight fights. Like them, hate them, don't care, or undecided?

[Memphis]

Catch weight fights are fine, if two naturally 150lb guys want to fight for the middleweight title go for it, but don't expect the next guy who is an actual middleweight to do the same. It's bordering on pathetic.


As far as I'm concerned intentionally tampering with someone's weight (bringing them down below the championship limit) is every bit as bad if not worse than tampering with gloves or using PEDS.

While someone fighting at waay below their normal fighting weight can be very detrimental to their health.... it still boils down to the fighter's choice, unlike being subjected to tampered gloves or PEDS from the other guy.

I don't disagree with you so let me rephrase. Miguel Cotto (for his part in the Daniel Geale fight) is not as bad an individual as say Luis Resto, they don't compare.

But, he and anyone else (including Geale) who sanctioned, promoted or participated in that fight in any way should have a good look at themselves.

What they did is disregard good sense and ignore precedent in allowing a healthy man to enter the ring against a man who was clearly crippled by weight. They collectively took all the hard lessons we have learned about fighter safety and dehydration and threw them in the bin, all in the name of paper titles and making a buck.

Geale may have been well compensated for his efforts (or lack thereof) but had things gone tits up in there, his medical bills would have carried on growing long after his pay day was gone. We would then as a boxing community be looking at the governing body, the promoter and the athletic commission to be providing support to him and his family.

It is a fighters choice, but how many fighters have the luxury of turning down career high paydays? The sanctioning bodies in certain circumstances should remove the opportunity to say yes in my opinion.