Weight divisions - why so many???

[bigman1968]

It's ridiculous - from middleweight down, every kg(3-4 pounds) is another weight division...with 4 or more "champions".

I was a cruiser at my time, and it's really big difference between 110kg HW and 88kg CRW.....but is it really such a difference between 57kg and 54kg???

[littlepug]

It's ridiculous - from middleweight down, every kg(3-4 pounds) is another weight division...with 4 or more "champions".

I was a cruiser at my time, and it's really big difference between 110kg HW and 88kg CRW.....but is it really such a difference between 57kg and 54kg???

Yep, I was a lower weight boxer and can tell you theres a noticeable difference when stepping up divisions, remember us little guys got less on us to lose !

[BitPlayer]

To some extent I think it is so there can be more champions, however weight does make a big difference and so it's better, plus it doesn't give someone so much of an advantage for lucking out on being a good size so there are big but within division limits.

That said I do enjoy wondering what if there were no divisions at all.

[bigman1968]

It's ridiculous - from middleweight down, every kg(3-4 pounds) is another weight division...with 4 or more "champions".

I was a cruiser at my time, and it's really big difference between 110kg HW and 88kg CRW.....but is it really such a difference between 57kg and 54kg???

Yep, I was a lower weight boxer and can tell you theres a noticeable difference when stepping up divisions, remember us little guys got less on us to lose !

Is it really feasible power difference here?:

Super Flyweight 8 st 3 lbs 52,163 kg 115 lbs
Bantamweight 8 st 6 lbs 53,525 kg 118 lbs
Super Bantamweight 8 st 10 lbs 55,225 kg 122 lbs

[bigman1968]

That said I do enjoy wondering what if there were no divisions at all.

It was so till 1850 or so...than it was 3 (Heavy, Middle and Light).

From 1890s - 5, from 1910s - 8....for a long time, 1970s or so, same time the "belt's inflation" started. Till 70-s it was really possible to remember all the 8 Champions

[littlepug]

It's ridiculous - from middleweight down, every kg(3-4 pounds) is another weight division...with 4 or more "champions".

I was a cruiser at my time, and it's really big difference between 110kg HW and 88kg CRW.....but is it really such a difference between 57kg and 54kg???

Yep, I was a lower weight boxer and can tell you theres a noticeable difference when stepping up divisions, remember us little guys got less on us to lose !

Is it really feasible power difference here?:

Super Flyweight 8 st 3 lbs 52,163 kg 115 lbs
Bantamweight 8 st 6 lbs 53,525 kg 118 lbs
Super Bantamweight 8 st 10 lbs 55,225 kg 122 lbs

Yeah honestly, I boxed from bantam through to lightweight and with each step up you can tell the power difference

[asdfjkl]

That's why I only follow the heavyweights. In the lower divisions everybody is a champion of the world.

[bigman1968]

That's why I only follow the heavyweights. In the lower divisions everybody is a champion of the world.

That's why HW rolls most of the money over the years and today.That and KO percentage, I presume.

[asdfjkl]

That's why I only follow the heavyweights. In the lower divisions everybody is a champion of the world.

That's why HW rolls most of the money over the years and today.That and KO percentage, I presume.

A 100 years ago they fought just as long till one of the two got KOed. If they had to fight one round, it was one round, if they had to fight 40 rounds it really became 40 rounds! For me the main reason is that no matter how good a 140 pound fighter is, he will allways lose against a top 250 pounder.

[Rexob]

That's why I only follow the heavyweights. In the lower divisions everybody is a champion of the world.

That's why HW rolls most of the money over the years and today.That and KO percentage, I presume.

A 100 years ago they fought just as long till one of the two got KOed. If they had to fight one round, it was one round, if they had to fight 40 rounds it really became 40 rounds! For me the main reason is that no matter how good a 140 pound fighter is, he will allways lose against a top 250 pounder.

I disagree, I have seen plenty of big men put down by smaller men.

[asdfjkl]

That's why HW rolls most of the money over the years and today.That and KO percentage, I presume.

A 100 years ago they fought just as long till one of the two got KOed. If they had to fight one round, it was one round, if they had to fight 40 rounds it really became 40 rounds! For me the main reason is that no matter how good a 140 pound fighter is, he will allways lose against a top 250 pounder.

I disagree, I have seen plenty of big men put down by smaller men.

What do you think would happen if Mayweather fought Anthony Joshua?

[Tony1244]

I've never boxed as an amateur or pro, so those who have should correct if I'm wrong, but I believe there should always be at least 10 LBS between weight divisions even for the lighter divisions.

[Rexob]

A 100 years ago they fought just as long till one of the two got KOed. If they had to fight one round, it was one round, if they had to fight 40 rounds it really became 40 rounds! For me the main reason is that no matter how good a 140 pound fighter is, he will allways lose against a top 250 pounder.

I disagree, I have seen plenty of big men put down by smaller men.

What do you think would happen if Mayweather fought Anthony Joshua?

A big man wouldn't always beat a small man like you suggested.

[Tony1244]

A 100 years ago they fought just as long till one of the two got KOed. If they had to fight one round, it was one round, if they had to fight 40 rounds it really became 40 rounds! For me the main reason is that no matter how good a 140 pound fighter is, he will allways lose against a top 250 pounder.

I disagree, I have seen plenty of big men put down by smaller men.

What do you think would happen if Mayweather fought Anthony Joshua?

Mayweather should be able to box comfortably @ 153-155, so there is no good he shouldn't fight GGG, but Joshua is a bit of a stretch, but you knew that already.

[Syntax Error]

It's ridiculous - from middleweight down, every kg(3-4 pounds) is another weight division...with 4 or more "champions".

I was a cruiser at my time, and it's really big difference between 110kg HW and 88kg CRW.....but is it really such a difference between 57kg and 54kg???

Simple answer; £££ & TV!

[asdfjkl]

I disagree, I have seen plenty of big men put down by smaller men.

What do you think would happen if Mayweather fought Anthony Joshua?

A big man wouldn't always beat a small man like you suggested.

I see it in kickboxing every once in a while, but if such a thing happens it's allmost allways a top lightweight vs a fat ass bum.

[gilgamesh]

More weight classes, means more titles.

More Titles, means more sanctioning fees.

More sanctioning fees, means more money for the sanctioning bodies.

There's your answer

[Tony1244]

More weight classes, means more titles.

More Titles, means more sanctioning fees.

More sanctioning fees, means more money for the sanctioning bodies.

There's your answer

Unfortunately, sadly, you are 100% correct.

[jezzamundo]

I've never boxed as an amateur or pro, so those who have should correct if I'm wrong, but I believe there should always be at least 10 LBS between weight divisions even for the lighter divisions.

Ideally it should be a consistent, or consistently increasing in percentage, as increases in weight undoubtedly make more of a difference at lower weight classes. Personally I'd rather see a return to the classic 8 divisions, plus cruiserweight at it's original 190lb limit - maybe 195lb. As you can see by the percentage increases, it's not ideal, there's no consistent rule, but I think it would be better than starting from scratch, seeing as boxing has such a rich history.

Flyweight - 112lb
Bantamweight - 118lb (5.4% increase)
Featherweight - 126lb (6.8% increase)
Lightweight - 135b (7.1% increase)
Welterweight - 147lb (8.9% increase)
Middleweight - 160lb (8.8% increase)
Light Heavyweight - 175lb (9.4% increase)
Cruiserweight - 190lb (8.6% increase) OR
Cruiserweight - 195lb (11.4% increase)
Heavyweight - 190lb or 195lb +

[BAD INTENTIONS]

I've never boxed as an amateur or pro, so those who have should correct if I'm wrong, but I believe there should always be at least 10 LBS between weight divisions even for the lighter divisions.

Ideally it should be a consistent, or consistently increasing in percentage, as increases in weight undoubtedly make more of a difference at lower weight classes. Personally I'd rather see a return to the classic 8 divisions, plus cruiserweight at it's original 190lb limit - maybe 195lb. As you can see by the percentage increases, it's not ideal, there's no consistent rule, but I think it would be better than starting from scratch, seeing as boxing has such a rich history.

Flyweight - 112lb
Bantamweight - 118lb (5.4% increase)
Featherweight - 126lb (6.8% increase)
Lightweight - 135b (7.1% increase)
Welterweight - 147lb (8.9% increase)
Middleweight - 160lb (8.8% increase)
Light Heavyweight - 175lb (9.4% increase)
Cruiserweight - 190lb (8.6% increase) OR
Cruiserweight - 195lb (11.4% increase)
Heavyweight - 190lb or 195lb +

Been bitching about this for years. Came to the same conclusion.

However, there are some people here that will swear, on their life, that a 135 pound is at a strength disadvantage against a 140 pound man.
Ignoring the long history of guys giving up 3 to 5 pounds, and having that small difference have no serious impact on the decision.

But as soon as a 168 pound division appeared, 170 pound men suddenly realized they were inferior to the beastly 174/175 pound man.

[Tony1244]

I've never boxed as an amateur or pro, so those who have should correct if I'm wrong, but I believe there should always be at least 10 LBS between weight divisions even for the lighter divisions.

Ideally it should be a consistent, or consistently increasing in percentage, as increases in weight undoubtedly make more of a difference at lower weight classes. Personally I'd rather see a return to the classic 8 divisions, plus cruiserweight at it's original 190lb limit - maybe 195lb. As you can see by the percentage increases, it's not ideal, there's no consistent rule, but I think it would be better than starting from scratch, seeing as boxing has such a rich history.

Flyweight - 112lb
Bantamweight - 118lb (5.4% increase)
Featherweight - 126lb (6.8% increase)
Lightweight - 135b (7.1% increase)
Welterweight - 147lb (8.9% increase)
Middleweight - 160lb (8.8% increase)
Light Heavyweight - 175lb (9.4% increase)
Cruiserweight - 190lb (8.6% increase) OR
Cruiserweight - 195lb (11.4% increase)
Heavyweight - 190lb or 195lb +

Been bitching about this for years. Came to the same conclusion.

However, there are some people here that will swear, on their life, that a 135 pound is at a strength disadvantage against a 140 pound man.
Ignoring the long history of guys giving up 3 to 5 pounds, and having that small difference have no serious impact on the decision.

But as soon as a 168 pound division appeared, 170 pound men suddenly realized they were inferior to the beastly 174/175 pound man.

I even think 13 LBS in the case of a Mayweather fighting a middleweight shouldn't be so much to overcome if Mayweather is so great. But the Jr. welterweight division has always been ridiculous and accomplished only greta matches NOT being made.

[Lennox]

Needs one more, probably at 185. junior-cruiserweight. If you are 13+ stone there is no category.

[world ranked]

I would eliminate everything under 112 eliminate 115, 122 and maybe 130

[jezzamundo]

Needs one more, probably at 185. junior-cruiserweight. If you are 13+ stone there is no category.

I agree that the gap from light heavyweight to cruiserweight is too big, but I really don't think there enough fighters around that weight for it to be a good idea. It would dilute the strength of both the light heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions. I think the better solution is moving cruiserweight back to 190lb. Anyone who weighs up to 190lb can train/drain to light heavyweight, while anyone under 210lb has the choice of draining to 190lb or making a go of it at heavyweight.

[Lennox]

Dont know Jezz, we had a fighter that was very good but could not compete because he was not big enough to be a full Heavyweight, he had a huge punch and knocked a couple of decent heavyweights out but his natural weight was 14.5 stone, he could not make 13 stone 8, he could probably have got to 14 stone. In the end he retired.

The problem with dropping the very light weights is there will be more deaths. A 3 pound difference at stone is very similar to 6 or 7 pounds at 10 or 11 stone. Super-feather is probably the one that could go with Lightweight moving back to 9 stone 7 (133) but that could still cause problems.

Safety is the key issue.