Here's a few examples from history:
4/24/31- World Lightweight and World Junior Welterweight Titles- World Lightweight Champion Tony Canzoneri/World Junior Welterweight Champion Jackie "Kid" Berg- Limit- 135; Canzoneri weighed in at 132; Berg at 134 1/4; Winner- Canzoneri KO-3
9/10/31- World Lightweight and World Junior welterweight Titles- Champion Tony Canzoneri/Challenger Jackie "Kid" Berg- Limit- 135; (weights not available); Winner- Canzoneri UD 15
11/20/31- World Lightweight and World Junior Welterweight Titles- Champion Tony Canzoneri/Challenger Kid Chocolate- Limit- *135; (weights not available); Winner- Canzoneri SD 15 (*- Note: Had Canzoneri made the 130-pound limit, which he didn't, he would have been awarded Kid Chocolate's World Junior Lightweight title. That would have made Canzoneri, a former World Featherweight champion, boxing's first four-divisional champion.)
6/23/33- World Lightweight and World Junior Welterweight Titles- Champion Tony Canzoneri/Challenger Barney Ross- Limit- 135; Canzoneri weighed in at 133 1/2; Ross at 134 3/4; Winner- Ross MD 10
9/12/33- World Lightweight and World Junior Welterweight Titles- Champion Barney Ross/Challenger Tony Canzoneri- Limit- 135; Ross weighed in at 135; Canzoneri at 133 1/2; Winner- Ross SD 15
3/16/39- World Lightweight and World Welterweight Titles- Champion Henry Armstrong/Challenger Lew Feldman- Limit- 135; Armstrong weighed in at 135; Feldman at 134; Winner- Armstrong KO-1
An interesting fact, Armstrong should have lost the lightweight and welterweight championships to Lou Ambers in August 1939, both weighed in under 135. The officiating was horrible but we have to respect the official decision even if we don't agree with it.
My policy is pretty clear, if a champion fights under his championship weight then the title is on the line. When you start picking and choosing and muddying the waters it becomes no better than the alphabet boys. Or you get situations like Judah or Peterson holding belts they should have lost.
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