Can one really be ranked P4P when you demand catch weights?

[C-Lo]

Bilbo is dominating this thread.

Just wondering, because they have manny number one, but most of the time the fighters that have been ranked number 1 have gone to other's divisions and beaten them. RJJ, PERNELL, FLOYD, SHANE. Not once did either of them demand a catch weight.

Pacquiao has done the same. I'm basically done defending the catchweight. I've done it for countless amounts of posts but again, Bilbo is absolutely spot on IMO. Honestly, Pacquiao just keeps on fighting bigger guys throughout his career and these fighters are the biggest names in the game!!! How can people continue to hate on him?! He's on top! And is still looking for the big fights. Floyd got to the top and looked and is looking for easier fights for more money. RJJ has a very debatable resume. Pernell and Shane gets no complaints from me. They looked to fight the best and beat them as well. Again, I still can't understand anyone who can't appreciate Manny...

I think Pac should still be #1 p4p with the demanding of catchweights. I just don't think its even close to sensible for a weightclass title to be on the line when his team is demanding a catchweight for a title. That is a shenanigan that further sets boxing back. But what I do think this demanding of catchweights does is question his confidence and tarnish credibility. The all time greats went directly to the weight classes and fought the best in it. They never tried to gain an advantage by squeezing the bigger guy down to a weight determined by their team. If Pac's team was asking a small welterweight to a catchweight then thats reasonable. But they are going completely opposite. Roach has admitted his tactic by saying PBF is the only welterweight he would let Pac fight at 147 and that Mosley and Cotto have to meet at a catchweight. Leonard was way smaller than Hagler. He went to his weight class. That is all time greatness the fans want to see.

You mean the same Leonard that demanded Donny Lalonde to fight at 168 for his LHW title. That Leonard? How about JCC demanding Whitaker fight at a catchweight of 145 for his WBC ww title? Or how about Oscar demanding a 39 year old Hopkins come in at 158 for his MW titles? I thought you said the all time greats didn't demand catchweights?

Pacman isn't the first to demand catchweights, and there isn't any story out there saying that the WW titles are on the line.

Again with the titles! Bulldog is right! When has the titles been put up for grabs?! People still complain about titles being fought for outside of the proper weight class but the title isn't on the line...

The catchweights are bullshit.

Theres no two ways about it.

Why is there so much hate about catchweights?

I mean what's important is that the best fighters face each other, and do so at the weight that is healthiest for both of them?

The alphabet belts and even weights divisions don't mean anything in the great scheme of things, both are creations of man to help give the sport a sense of order but they are nothing more than that.

If Manny was to fight and beat Miguel Cotto at 143 for example it would make no difference at all to the merit of the win than were it fought at 140 or 147 imo.

They are still fighting each other, and 143 would be the best compromise.

We shouldn't let entirely man made organisational constructs like weight divisions and belts get in the way of making the best fights.

That's just letting beaurocracy blind your senses and stopping you from enjoying the great fights.

What matters in boxing is the best fighters fighting the best fighters. Belts and weight classes are there to help organise that process and provide a structure but they shouldn't supersede the main goal of putting on the best fights.

Well my JFAT Alliance brother, I must disagree.

Boxing Gloves are man made contructions.

So are mouth pieces.

And rounds.

Why don't we just have them fight it out to the death to see who is TRULY the best?

lol

The weight classes are there for a reason.

Cotto has been fighting at 147 for a few years now and if Pacquaio wants to fight him, then he can fight him at HIS weight.

Not make him drain and starve himself down to a weight that gives pac man an advantage over him before they even step in the ring.

That is not the Christian way.

And Pacquaio is a devout Catholic from what I understand.

Pacquiao wants to fight Cotto?! Cotto wants to fight Pacquiao!! Everyone wants the fight with Manny because it brings them the most money and he is the P4P best. If Cotto doesn't accept the terms, Pac has numerous options.