WBC May Create New Division, Split Heavyweight Class in Two

[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.

It has nothing to do with helping out the "no man's land " boxers and making sure that they have a division. It's about safety. Obviously, CTE and brain related injuries are huge focuses in all sports so Boxing is and WBC are just catching up and doing something proactively for once.

Just because they put another division in between, it doesn't mean that boxers HAVE to fight in it. Anyone over 175 pounds can fight heavyweight if they want so unless they change that then it's the same old same old. The gifted 215 pound boxer can still be a heavyweight champion no matter what they do so who cares?

I think you’ve misunderstood the message I conveyed in my post.

[bigman1968]

It's a good idea...togever with cancelling 3-4 weight "divisions" in the low weights!

Every 3-4 pound is different "division" down where

Yet some fighters still come overweight in the lower divisions.

One good meal - and you're "overweight"

[Ruthless-RKO]

It's a good idea...togever with cancelling 3-4 weight "divisions" in the low weights!

Every 3-4 pound is different "division" down where

Yet some fighters still come overweight in the lower divisions.

One good meal - and you're "overweight"

Have a shít and you lose 2 pounds. Lol

[HeavyHitters]

Heck, I would rather it be separated into two different categories by this criteria:

1. If you are considered a heavyweight ( 200 lbs + ), and have been able to string together 5 knockout fights in a row ( TKO's or KO's ), against opponents who were all in the top 15 prior to each fight, then you are eligible to fight in what would be called the "World Heavyweight Championship Fight". And if you win, you are considered the "World Heavyweight Fighting Champion".

2. All other heavyweights would fight for what would be called the "World Heavyweight Championship Bout". And if you win, you would be considered the "World Heavyweight Boxing Champion".

That way, with the championship billed as the "Fight", we could get the more exciting brawlers and power hitters squaring off against each other, giving the fans truly exciting fights. And with the championship billed as the "Boxing" match-up, we would get more strategic chess matches.

[Lennox]

I think it should be no more than 12 weight divisions.

And a lot more people would die from boxing.

I think an 18th division is fine but it needs a change from Light heavy upwards.

The heavyweight division should start at 15 stone 210 pounds
Super-cruiserweight should be 190-210
Cruiserweight should be 175-190
rest stay as they are

We had a great 205 pound fighter that could not make cruiserweight (it was 195 then) he fought at heavyweight but was just too small, he was going to get killed. The gaps between between the top 3 weights really need a 4th on medical grounds.
To destroy the Heavyweight division though with an upper one is not right.

[punchoutsb]

Dreadful idea. Absolute shite.

[Ilya Muromets]

"WBC May Create New Division, Split Heavyweight Class in Two"



Long overdue. The entire antiquated and illogical weight classification system needs to be overhauled. Little fellers separated by a ridiculous 2 or 3 pounds so that they can have more "world champions"; light heavyweight div. now only with a ridiculous seven pound parameter, 168-175...but meanwhile a man who is 201 has to be in the same division as 6'6" and up and 250 pound and up adversaries who are much bigger than he is. In effect there is no legit place now in boxing for a man weighing just over 200 unless he is willing to face a huge handicap in size. Even 220 - and even 230! - pound heavyweights are now considered "small"!

[IRLangmaid25]

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.

And it is (or was) depending on your outlook, our sports most recognisable brand, By creating a Super-Heavyweight division it will cheapen the division of Jack Johnson, Joe Louis, Muhammed Ali and Mike Tyson by doing so.