WBC May Create New Division, Split Heavyweight Class in Two

[Ruthless-RKO]

One of the bigger stories coming out of the most recent annual convention from by World Boxing Council, is the possibility that the sanctioning body will create an 18th division.

According to World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman, his organization is exploring the idea of splitting the heavyweight division in two - heavyweight and super heavyweight.

Sulaiman explained that the new weight class would be created above the cruiserweight limit of 200-pounds, but where it would end and where the super heavyweight limit would begin is still very far away from being determined.

The WBC is in the early stages of exploring the idea, but it's not the first time where someone brought up the idea of creating a super heavyweight division.

The cruiserweight division was created for the same purpose, when it was pitched during the 1970s - to prevent fighters who were over 175-pounds from facing heavyweights. The weight class limit was originally set for 190-pounds and raised a decade or so back to 200-pounds so smaller heavyweights could move down to cruiser - and many did. The WBC was the first sanctioning body to recognize the cruiserweight division.

"We will ask the World Boxing Council's medical team to do a study on the weight of heavyweight fighters. There are some who weigh 210 pounds and there are others that exceed 250 pounds, and that's a world of difference. But we will inquire about how fighters are doing with such a difference of weight," said Sulaimán to ESPN Deportes.

The WBC says the process of exploring this move will last at least six months or more before they make a decision on whether or not they intend to go in that direction. The want to get as much information as possible before presenting this idea to boxing commissions.

Of course bigger is not better. Countless smaller heavyweights, like Chris Byrd, Evander Holyfield, David Haye, Mike Tyson and others were able to find success against much bigger opponents.

[KiwiRider]

Way to water down what is already watered down. Less divisions, not more.
I feel sorry for new budding boxing fans. I've been following it for 40+ years and I still don't know what's what and who has what

[stellar]

Link??

[Enlightened-One]

Link??

http://www.BS.com/wbc-create-n ... wo--121150

[stellar]

[Mimmy]

If this happens you will get heavyweights that want to also fight for the super heavyweight titles. If that is allowed to happen why make the new weight division at all? I'm sure any heavyweight can put on a few pounds to move up a division, same as cruiser, they can put on a few pounds to fight heavyweight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

If this happens you will get heavyweights that want to also fight for the super heavyweight titles. If that is allowed to happen why make the new weight division at all? I'm sure any heavyweight can put on a few pounds to move up a division, same as cruiser, they can put on a few pounds to fight heavyweight.

Exactly. Like the article mentions, many smaller HW's have seen success against bigger HW's..

There should be no limit. Sometimes HW want to be a bit lazy for a tune up and not lose too much weight. It's the beauty of the best division.

[littlepug]

If this happens you will get heavyweights that want to also fight for the super heavyweight titles. If that is allowed to happen why make the new weight division at all? I'm sure any heavyweight can put on a few pounds to move up a division, same as cruiser, they can put on a few pounds to fight heavyweight.

Exactly. Like the article mentions, many smaller HW's have seen success against bigger HW's..

There should be no limit. Sometimes HW want to be a bit lazy for a tune up and not lose too much weight. It's the beauty of the best division.

long time since its been the best division mate

[Ruthless-RKO]

If this happens you will get heavyweights that want to also fight for the super heavyweight titles. If that is allowed to happen why make the new weight division at all? I'm sure any heavyweight can put on a few pounds to move up a division, same as cruiser, they can put on a few pounds to fight heavyweight.

Exactly. Like the article mentions, many smaller HW's have seen success against bigger HW's..

There should be no limit. Sometimes HW want to be a bit lazy for a tune up and not lose too much weight. It's the beauty of the best division.

long time since its been the best division mate

I know, but Heavyweight is the division. World Heavyweight champion sounds better than anything else..

[RScarf1]

They don't want women to fight 3 minute rounds, but they want this which will decrease the prestige of the heavyweight division. It's just another way for them to collect a sanctioning fee.

[Enlightened-One]

If you’re a 6’ 3” (or shorter) highly-athletic heavyweight that naturally walks around somewhere around the 225lbs mark, then you’re in “no man’s land”, because you’ll be far too big for the cruiserweight division, but also having to endure a significant size disadvantage against some of your heavyweight peers.

I have a spread sheet that contains the heights and weights of the top sixty fighters rated by BoxRec (from February), which appeared to illustrates a huge disparity in sizes…

The average height of the top-30 tallest boxers was 77”, with the average for the bottom half being 75”.

The average weight of a top-30 heaviest boxer was 257.5lbs, with the average for the bottom half being 236.5lbs.

I suspect that most of the smaller heavyweights are intentionally doing their upmost to make themselves bigger in order to compete against the divisions’ behemoths, so they're having to weigh more than what should be considered optimal.

If the WBC introduced a new division (from 201lbs to 225lbs), I bet that most of the smaller heavyweights could easily cut weight to make the new stipulated weight limit.

[p4p1]

I mean honesty a cruiserweight can cut from 215-220lbs and make 200lbs. If you make a 220lb division then guys can cut from 240lbs and honestly how many HWs that are in shape would weigh more than 240lbs?

[p4p1]

If you’re a 6’ 3” (or shorter) highly-athletic heavyweight that naturally walks around somewhere around the 225lbs mark, then you’re in “no man’s land”, because you’ll be far too big for the cruiserweight division, but also having to endure a significant size disadvantage against some of your heavyweight peers.

I have a spread sheet that contains the heights and weights of the top sixty fighters rated by BoxRec (from February), which appeared to illustrates a huge disparity in sizes…

The average height of the top-30 tallest boxers was 77”, with the average for the bottom half being 75”.

The average weight of a top-30 heaviest boxer was 257.5lbs, with the average for the bottom half being 236.5lbs.

I suspect that most of the smaller heavyweights are intentionally doing their upmost to make themselves bigger in order to compete against the divisions’ behemoths, so they're having to weigh more than what should be considered optimal.

If the WBC introduced a new division (from 201lbs to 225lbs), I bet that most of the smaller heavyweights could easily cut weight to make the new stipulated weight limit.

Nope, if you walk around at 225 without really focusing hard on your diet you can make 200lbs MMA fighters do it all the time.

[BitPlayer]

Expect the short heavyweights to get fatter then.

[Tony1244]

The smaller HWs will be much better. You'll have some big piece of crap like Valuev as champion who can't fight at all.

[AntonS]

April 1, 2018 would be an ideal time to introduce it

[tiny_acres]

If we draw the line at fighters currently 230 or less.
Who would be the top 10 for proposed new division?

[Enlightened-One]

If you’re a 6’ 3” (or shorter) highly-athletic heavyweight that naturally walks around somewhere around the 225lbs mark, then you’re in “no man’s land”, because you’ll be far too big for the cruiserweight division, but also having to endure a significant size disadvantage against some of your heavyweight peers.

I have a spread sheet that contains the heights and weights of the top sixty fighters rated by BoxRec (from February), which appeared to illustrates a huge disparity in sizes…

The average height of the top-30 tallest boxers was 77”, with the average for the bottom half being 75”.

The average weight of a top-30 heaviest boxer was 257.5lbs, with the average for the bottom half being 236.5lbs.

I suspect that most of the smaller heavyweights are intentionally doing their upmost to make themselves bigger in order to compete against the divisions’ behemoths, so they're having to weigh more than what should be considered optimal.

If the WBC introduced a new division (from 201lbs to 225lbs), I bet that most of the smaller heavyweights could easily cut weight to make the new stipulated weight limit.

Nope, if you walk around at 225 without really focusing hard on your diet you can make 200lbs MMA fighters do it all the time.

Can you respond to the entire post next time instead of reading the first sentence and then dismissing the rest of the info?

I actually researched this topic and formulated an educated opinion based on the actual height/weight stats.

[Enlightened-One]

If we draw the line at fighters currently 230 or less.
Who would be the top 10 for proposed new division?

In my opinion, 230lbs might be a little too high, but let's go along with what you've said... and also include previously or currently banned PED cheats, then the names under consideration could potentially include the likes of the following fighters:
• Deontay Wilder
• Luis Ortiz
• Alexander Povetkin
• Charles Martin
• Joseph Parker
• Malik Scott
• David Haye
• Gerald Washington
• Hughie Fury
• Tony Bellew

You have to assume that most of these guys can lose at least 15lbs or so in weight, because most welterweights do that.

[candyslim]

It's funny you know I was only thinking about this yesterday, and this comes up today. I was thinking how the optimum 1970s size Heavyweight 6' 3" 215lbs is dwarfed by the optimum size Heavyweight of this decade 6' 6" 250lbs, and unless they (today's fighters of 1970s dimensions) are blessed with skills like a Holyfield or a Usyk, they are at a distinct disadvantage.

I understand the arguments about diluting a division that's already perceived to be weak, and how fighters should be able to boil down or bulk up, as well as how the greedy sanctioning bodies are looking to leech even more money, and how there are already way too many champions, but I recall many of these arguments being voiced when they introduced the concept of a new division at 13st 8lbs IIRC which was going to be called Cruiserweight (historically an alternative name for Light-heavyweight). It's way before my time but imagine their were similar complaints about the introduction of Light-heavyweight.

The point is those that can succeed will fight at Super-heavyweight because that's where the big bucks will be, but those who fall between the two stools have something to aim at. The new division would start out the red-headed bastard step-child as they always have, but gradually they attain respectability.

I wouln't go so far as to say I'm fully in favour but to those who are dead-set against, I'd like to ask you whether you consider the Cruiserweight division to be a good thing for boxing, and how would you feel now about propsals to discontinue it?

[tiny_acres]

If we draw the line at fighters currently 230 or less.
Who would be the top 10 for proposed new division?

In my opinion, 230lbs might be a little too high, but let's go along with what you've said... and also include previously or currently banned PED cheats, then the names under consideration could potentially include the likes of the following fighters:
• Deontay Wilder
• Luis Ortiz
• Alexander Povetkin
• Charles Martin
• Joseph Parker
• Malik Scott
• David Haye
• Gerald Washington
• Hughie Fury
• Tony Bellew

You have to assume that most of these guys can lose at least 15lbs or so in weight, because most welterweights do that.

I listed 230 as a guide to guys that could realistically drop to 220 to 225.
Ortiz is not in that classification along with a few others
Sorry I was so vague in my first post.
Wilder Bellew Hate and Hughie are there but who else?

[ldlamb]

There is a 150 year branding of the Heavyweight Champion as the baddest man on the planet. There can't be a division above it or that will be ruined and be another thing to turn off casuals.

[HyacinthusTurnipseed]

There is a 150 year branding of the Heavyweight Champion as the baddest man on the planet. There can't be a division above it or that will be ruined and be another thing to turn off casuals.

I agree with this. The division that had Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson still has a modicum of cache that basically goes in the bin of there is suddenly a weight above what they fought at. On the other hand the simple solution to that is to just call the new weight class Super Cruiserweight or something like that and have Heavyweight remain the weight unlimited one.

But either way unless the new division is 215 or so you'll just end up with half the "Super Heavies" boiling down to the new weight and another division with Joshua, Pulev and some mediocre fatties. Joshua needs more competition, not less.

[gilgamesh]

Not just no, but HELL NO!!!!

Like someone else said the Heavyweight Championship already has a rich and decorated history.

Then you add the fact that there's already at least 7 too many weight classes in Boxing as is. The last thing it needs is another one.

[ElJefe]

No thanks. How about boxers, trainers etc focus on skills instead of size. Everything is about weight these days, in reality there are very few skilled big heavyweights. If you're like 220 without cutting and can't make Cruiser, the chances are most of the time you'll be giving up 10-15lbs - which has been overcome at HW many times - or you're fighting a much bigger man (> 240lbs), the majority of which are shite boxers anyway.