Lets get something straight!

[fan johnny]

In discussions about this topic in the past, mainly between yourself and AdamGB (who knows a great deal about these types of issues), you had no refutation for the evidence he brought to support his argument that even two pounds can make a huge difference for a fighter. You have no arguments other than "it's only two pounds" and "Cotto/his trainers/whoever wouldn't take the fight if it was unhealthy for him or if he was unable to perform to his usual standards etc..." which is ridiculous. He, like almost anyone else, would do anything within reason to attain the money and potential glory that stems from a Pacquiao fight.

You are taking my arguments out of context. If you want a clarification on a statement, than ask for one.

What that demonistrates is a difference of opinion. I did rebut that claim, If you read back the thread not skimming and picking out parts, you might discover my more complete argument. AdamGB pushes the discussion in to a nuthuggers realm about Pacquaio and away from the debate about catch weight. I wasn't in the mood to go there.

So that you might have a little more comprehention about my argument, I completely understand and don't disagree that two pounds related to dehydration is a big deal. I have never disputed that. Two pound related to weight lost without dehydration or unnatural means for fighting in a weight class is not a big deal and the proper way to do it. Unnatural means of losing weight is a form of cheating and the argument of safety is a basically a technique used to intentionally mislead so that fighters naturally above the weight class can utilize the 24 hour weigh-in period to dehydrate and qualify for the weightclass officially cheating.

Making a catch weight forces the fighter naturally above the weight class to comedown in weight naturally and fight at a more legitimate weight.

The question I have is Do you think really think Cotto is stupid and an idiot?

How did we get from point A to point B? You really have moved the target here. Cotto is making weight at the upper end of Welter and has for over 3 years now. Weighing in at 145 WILL effect him. If you ever talked about anything besides PAC (or the fighters he's going against) there may be some merit to someone not taking your statements as fanboyism. This is to help you know where Adam is coming from. And if you don't think Cotto would dehydrate himself to make a fight happen, what do you think happened in Cotto-Malignaggi fight. Did he win sure, but he sure looked sluggish and exhausted coming down the stretch, even Paulie's punchs seemed to be getting to him. Now granted this was at 140, but like I said it has been 3 years now that he has been weighing in at higher than 145, his body has become accustomed to this weight.

So to answer your question, I don't think Cotto is stupid, but I do think he would go in a situation that is not optimal for a good payday.

The better question is, why if the two pounds won't be a factor can't Cotto come in at the Welterweight limit?

I don't understand your question getting from point A to point B.

It's a better question, but it doesn't have the sarcasm, I posed the question because proponents of not having a catch weight are arguing that Cotto / Mosley or whoever would take the extra weight off by dehydrating further than his norm, making an even further drain on their body. If that is in fact the case, then the fighter has no business fighting in the weightclass, since the weightclass is defined as 140-147 and not just at 147.

Now of course lowering the limit will affect him, that's the whole point of making a catch weight and I will accept the fact that Cotto's judgement could be impared by greed but he doesn't strike me as being an idiot either.

Some people say it is unfair to have a catch weight to the guy coming down in weight, I don't agree and have laid out my reasons why.

This subject may have originated from Pacquiao fighting at a catch weight, but my opinions about weightclass and catch weights have nothing to do with Pacquaio specifically and are generic to any fighter.