Solving the 'weight bully' issue is easy

[Jimmy2025]

It is as simple as this: at the time of weigh in conduct a blood osmolality test. If the test shows the fighter to be dehydrated, or any other imbalance, he can't fight. Problem solved. Why not implement it?

[Coco]

It is as simple as this: at the time of weigh in conduct a blood osmolality test. If the test shows the fighter to be dehydrated, or any other imbalance, he can't fight. Problem solved. Why not implement it?

Same day weigh ins for me

[SeanBrennan]

It is as simple as this: at the time of weigh in conduct a blood osmolality test. If the test shows the fighter to be dehydrated, or any other imbalance, he can't fight. Problem solved. Why not implement it?

Very interesting Jimmy, I'd never heard of this, have any other sports done it?

[handsofstone]

Or don't sign contacts for weight you cant make, seemples

[Jimmy2025]

It is as simple as this: at the time of weigh in conduct a blood osmolality test. If the test shows the fighter to be dehydrated, or any other imbalance, he can't fight. Problem solved. Why not implement it?

Very interesting Jimmy, I'd never heard of this, have any other sports done it?

Not for the specific reason I'm talking about. Osmolality tests are used in training by some coaches in various sports to monitor electrolyte:water balance, though.

[SeanBrennan]

It is as simple as this: at the time of weigh in conduct a blood osmolality test. If the test shows the fighter to be dehydrated, or any other imbalance, he can't fight. Problem solved. Why not implement it?

Very interesting Jimmy, I'd never heard of this, have any other sports done it?

Not for the specific reason I'm talking about. Osmolality tests are used in training by some coaches in various sports to monitor electrolyte:water balance, though.

sounds a very fair approach to it if you can see if the person has badly dehydrated themselves, very interesting, I wonder why no one has thought it before?

[coneye]

Very interesting Jimmy, I'd never heard of this, have any other sports done it?

Not for the specific reason I'm talking about. Osmolality tests are used in training by some coaches in various sports to monitor electrolyte:water balance, though.

sounds a very fair approach to it if you can see if the person has badly dehydrated themselves, very interesting, I wonder why no one has thought it before?

There would be far too much pressure on any organization that wanted to implement this , from promoters shitting themselves ,if main event gets pulled on the day . . I;m with Coco , same day weigh ins

[Jimmy2025]

Not for the specific reason I'm talking about. Osmolality tests are used in training by some coaches in various sports to monitor electrolyte:water balance, though.

sounds a very fair approach to it if you can see if the person has badly dehydrated themselves, very interesting, I wonder why no one has thought it before?

There would be far too much pressure on any organization that wanted to implement this , from promoters shitting themselves ,if main event gets pulled on the day . . I;m with Coco , same day weigh ins

This is the crux, the bottom line is more important than the health of fighters. My suggestion would save lives and reduce the risk of long term injury but it would mean a few cards would fall through.

[maverick23]

Not for the specific reason I'm talking about. Osmolality tests are used in training by some coaches in various sports to monitor electrolyte:water balance, though.

sounds a very fair approach to it if you can see if the person has badly dehydrated themselves, very interesting, I wonder why no one has thought it before?

There would be far too much pressure on any organization that wanted to implement this , from promoters shitting themselves ,if main event gets pulled on the day . . I;m with Coco , same day weigh ins

Same day weigh ins increase the likelihood of guys fighting dehydrated and more chance of serious injury.

There isn’t an easy answer to this.

[Jimmy2025]

There isn’t an easy answer to this.

There is an easy answer if fighter welfare is priority number one and it's to do what I suggest. The real point of starting the topic, though, is to highlight that you are correct.... I.e. there isn't an easy answer when putting the event on and making money is priority number one.

[maverick23]

There isn’t an easy answer to this.

There is an easy answer if fighter welfare is priority number one and it's to do what I suggest. The real point of starting the topic, though, is to highlight that you are correct.... I.e. there isn't an easy answer when putting the event on and making money is priority number one.

I don’t disagree but what you’re saying will never happen given the additional cost of testing and relatively high risk of losing main events/other fights so close to fight night.

There aren’t many people who have an issue with how boxing is at the moment.

I think perhaps an another solution would be check weigh ins for fights over a certain level to stop guys crashing the weight. I.E. can’t more than 10% over 30 days before the fight and can’t be more than 4/5% over 7 days before the fight.

[Jimmy2025]

There isn’t an easy answer to this.

There is an easy answer if fighter welfare is priority number one and it's to do what I suggest. The real point of starting the topic, though, is to highlight that you are correct.... I.e. there isn't an easy answer when putting the event on and making money is priority number one.

I don’t disagree but what you’re saying will never happen given the additional cost of testing and relatively high risk of losing main events/other fights so close to fight night.

There aren’t many people who have an issue with how boxing is at the moment.

I think perhaps an another solution would be check weigh ins for fights over a certain level to stop guys crashing the weight. I.E. can’t more than 10% over 30 days before the fight and can’t be more than 4/5% over 7 days before the fight.

The test I am suggesting costs £137 per person. It's not prohibitively expensive.

The issue is the event falling through, like you say.

[joshj909]

Something similar to ONE FC but maybe do hydration and weight tests up to a week before as well to avoid any fighters dropping out 24-48 hours before their fight.

https://www.onefc.com/martial-arts/

How Does ONE’s Hydration & Weigh-In System Work?
All athletes will participate in a combined weigh-in and hydration test just 24 to 48 hours before the event.

Hydration will be checked through a urine specific gravity test in which every athlete will submit a urine sample under the supervision of a medical technician.

ONE’s doctor will test the athlete’s urine sample using a refractometer to ensure that the athlete is hydrated (hydrated = urine specific gravity ≤1.0250).

The athlete’s weight must be within the contracted weight class or catchweight’s limit. If the athlete passes the hydration test, then he or she must immediately weigh in. If the athlete fails the hydration test, then he or she will not be allowed to officially weigh in until they have first passed the hydration test.

If the athlete passes the hydration test and makes weight, then he or she is cleared to compete in their weight class. If the athlete passes hydration but fails to make weight, then he or she may try again up to the allotted weigh-in time window. However, the athlete must pass hydration and make weight on any successive attempt within the allotted hydration and weigh-in time window.

If the athlete fails to pass hydration and/or make weight during the allotted 3-hour time window, then he or she will be permitted to submit a hydration sample outside of the time window and then weigh in. From there, a catchweight can be negotiated, so long as both athletes are within 105 percent of the opponent’s official hydrated weight, and the athlete will surrender a percentage of his or her purse to the opponent if a catchweight can be agreed upon.

[Jimmy2025]

Something similar to ONE FC but maybe do hydration and weight tests up to a week before as well to avoid any fighters dropping out 24-48 hours before their fight.

https://www.onefc.com/martial-arts/

How Does ONE’s Hydration & Weigh-In System Work?
All athletes will participate in a combined weigh-in and hydration test just 24 to 48 hours before the event.

Hydration will be checked through a urine specific gravity test in which every athlete will submit a urine sample under the supervision of a medical technician.

ONE’s doctor will test the athlete’s urine sample using a refractometer to ensure that the athlete is hydrated (hydrated = urine specific gravity ≤1.0250).

The athlete’s weight must be within the contracted weight class or catchweight’s limit. If the athlete passes the hydration test, then he or she must immediately weigh in. If the athlete fails the hydration test, then he or she will not be allowed to officially weigh in until they have first passed the hydration test.

If the athlete passes the hydration test and makes weight, then he or she is cleared to compete in their weight class. If the athlete passes hydration but fails to make weight, then he or she may try again up to the allotted weigh-in time window. However, the athlete must pass hydration and make weight on any successive attempt within the allotted hydration and weigh-in time window.

If the athlete fails to pass hydration and/or make weight during the allotted 3-hour time window, then he or she will be permitted to submit a hydration sample outside of the time window and then weigh in. From there, a catchweight can be negotiated, so long as both athletes are within 105 percent of the opponent’s official hydrated weight, and the athlete will surrender a percentage of his or her purse to the opponent if a catchweight can be agreed upon.

Hadn't seen that. My example was a blood test but urine is fine. Good for One FC.

[joshj909]

Something similar to ONE FC but maybe do hydration and weight tests up to a week before as well to avoid any fighters dropping out 24-48 hours before their fight.

https://www.onefc.com/martial-arts/

How Does ONE’s Hydration & Weigh-In System Work?
All athletes will participate in a combined weigh-in and hydration test just 24 to 48 hours before the event.

Hydration will be checked through a urine specific gravity test in which every athlete will submit a urine sample under the supervision of a medical technician.

ONE’s doctor will test the athlete’s urine sample using a refractometer to ensure that the athlete is hydrated (hydrated = urine specific gravity ≤1.0250).

The athlete’s weight must be within the contracted weight class or catchweight’s limit. If the athlete passes the hydration test, then he or she must immediately weigh in. If the athlete fails the hydration test, then he or she will not be allowed to officially weigh in until they have first passed the hydration test.

If the athlete passes the hydration test and makes weight, then he or she is cleared to compete in their weight class. If the athlete passes hydration but fails to make weight, then he or she may try again up to the allotted weigh-in time window. However, the athlete must pass hydration and make weight on any successive attempt within the allotted hydration and weigh-in time window.

If the athlete fails to pass hydration and/or make weight during the allotted 3-hour time window, then he or she will be permitted to submit a hydration sample outside of the time window and then weigh in. From there, a catchweight can be negotiated, so long as both athletes are within 105 percent of the opponent’s official hydrated weight, and the athlete will surrender a percentage of his or her purse to the opponent if a catchweight can be agreed upon.

Hadn't seen that. My example was a blood test but urine is fine. Good for One FC.

I have seen some doctors say they can cheat it so it might not be perfect but it's something at least. Maybe it can be developed further.

[gregregegg]

One fc has the best system around right now. But as I have said elsewhere it would be a huge shakeup to implement (the type boxing just couldn’t handle due to its fragmented nature)

To do this you would have to completly re-write the weights, which would involve either stripping everyone and starting again… or negotiating what weight the existing belts should move to (which is a negotiation not only between the people looking out for boxings best intrest but aproximatly 50? Boxing world champs…

I don’t know what they would come to… as some champs cut 5% and some cut 15%… 10% seems like the go, butttt doing that would basically mean every champ that cuts more than 10 % would miss weight in there next defence…

I would like to see it done while sorting out the weights… (112,115,118 being able to become a 3 weight world champ going up 6 lb… vs 175,200… - a near impossible 25lb jump…)

[joshj909]

One fc has the best system around right now. But as I have said elsewhere it would be a huge shakeup to implement (the type boxing just couldn’t handle due to its fragmented nature)

To do this you would have to completly re-write the weights, which would involve either stripping everyone and starting again… or negotiating what weight the existing belts should move to (which is a negotiation not only between the people looking out for boxings best intrest but aproximatly 50? Boxing world champs…

I don’t know what they would come to… as some champs cut 5% and some cut 15%… 10% seems like the go, butttt doing that would basically mean every champ that cuts more than 10 % would miss weight in there next defence…

I would like to see it done while sorting out the weights… (112,115,118 being able to become a 3 weight world champ going up 6 lb… vs 175,200… - a near impossible 25lb jump…)

They could implement it for title fights only or maybe all top 15 guys for the alphabet org rankings. You would hope this would have a trickle down effect for the most part as to get ranked at say Welterweight with ambition to fight for the belt, you would need to have reasonable expectations of weighing in at Welterweight for the title. I imagine most would do as they currently do for their first 10-20 fights before making a crack at the title under their new weight. Former champs might struggle if they've been weighing in very differently and then chucked in with what could be heavier guys though.

[gregregegg]

One fc has the best system around right now. But as I have said elsewhere it would be a huge shakeup to implement (the type boxing just couldn’t handle due to its fragmented nature)

To do this you would have to completly re-write the weights, which would involve either stripping everyone and starting again… or negotiating what weight the existing belts should move to (which is a negotiation not only between the people looking out for boxings best intrest but aproximatly 50? Boxing world champs…

I don’t know what they would come to… as some champs cut 5% and some cut 15%… 10% seems like the go, butttt doing that would basically mean every champ that cuts more than 10 % would miss weight in there next defence…

I would like to see it done while sorting out the weights… (112,115,118 being able to become a 3 weight world champ going up 6 lb… vs 175,200… - a near impossible 25lb jump…)

They could implement it for title fights only or maybe all top 15 guys for the alphabet org rankings. You would hope this would have a trickle down effect for the most part as to get ranked at say Welterweight with ambition to fight for the belt, you would need to have reasonable expectations of weighing in at Welterweight for the title. I imagine most would do as they currently do for their first 10-20 fights before making a crack at the title under their new weight. Former champs might struggle if they've been weighing in very differently and then chucked in with what could be heavier guys though.

But what title fights? WBC? Wbo? WBA? WBC? Fights in Nevada commission, Cali commission, bbboc, ect ect…. What if one of there world champs can’t make weight under the new rule? What if a money guy like canelo gets booted from undisputed… half the boxers want it half don’t…

As I said, boxing is split sooo many ways. It is possible for one to go out on there own (ibf same day weigh in for example), but I just think it would be so messy.

[gregregegg]

My personal easy “solution” is have a meaningless fight day weigh in (just befor they get there hands wrapped) that is available (have it in brackets on boxrec) and broadcast….

It wouldent solve it, but it would clarify who the weight bullies are and put a bit of pressure on them.

For example Crawford was fighting 135 at 155, and then over 10 years moved alllll the way to the 154 division while naturally bulking up a bit… as exceptional as he is (very), does he deserve insane credit for moving up through the weights… for me not as much as someone that moved well past there optimal weight class (if bud fights canelo he will be past his weight and deserve credit for a big risky move)

[Controversial]

Also scrapping all the multiple weight classes would help, there used to be 8 divisions but something like 17 now. We need CW so make it 9 instead.

[SeanBrennan]

Isn’t it sad though that there is better ideas on a forum that by the actual promoters and governing bodies. This is an excellent forum btw I just mean it’s an indictment of the sport in a way that better ideas come from fans. I really liked Jimmy’s idea as much resistance as it would likely face for the reasons articulated on the thread

[Coco]

Isn’t it sad though that there is better ideas on a forum that by the actual promoters and governing bodies. This is an excellent forum btw I just mean it’s an indictment of the sport in a way that better ideas come from fans. I really liked Jimmy’s idea as much resistance as it would likely face for the reasons articulated on the thread

What gets in the way of good ideas is cash!

[coneye]

sounds a very fair approach to it if you can see if the person has badly dehydrated themselves, very interesting, I wonder why no one has thought it before?

There would be far too much pressure on any organization that wanted to implement this , from promoters shitting themselves ,if main event gets pulled on the day . . I;m with Coco , same day weigh ins

This is the crux, the bottom line is more important than the health of fighters. My suggestion would save lives and reduce the risk of long term injury but it would mean a few cards would fall through.

Thing is though , they would know there playing a dangerous game , so if Chisora wanted to boil down to middleweight he knows he's going in there half dead before he starts , ( only a bad example ), would he risk it , cahnces are NO , give him time to rehydrate , chances are YES , now theres no doubt some will still do it , and you will never stop it but it does'nt give them time which is what the weight bully needs .

[NazNaci1]

sounds a very fair approach to it if you can see if the person has badly dehydrated themselves, very interesting, I wonder why no one has thought it before?

There would be far too much pressure on any organization that wanted to implement this , from promoters shitting themselves ,if main event gets pulled on the day . . I;m with Coco , same day weigh ins

Same day weigh ins increase the likelihood of guys fighting dehydrated and more chance of serious injury.

There isn’t an easy answer to this.

Same day weigh ins is the only answer, as Coco said.

Boxing is not a sport you mess about with and if you choose to fight dehydrated and risk even more injury, then the fighter and their management are the only ones to blame.

A bit ruthless, I know, but how is it fair allowing guys to blow up, several divisions and gain an unfair advantage and put their opponents at even more risk?

Can't do the weight, then move up.

[maverick23]

There would be far too much pressure on any organization that wanted to implement this , from promoters shitting themselves ,if main event gets pulled on the day . . I;m with Coco , same day weigh ins

Same day weigh ins increase the likelihood of guys fighting dehydrated and more chance of serious injury.

There isn’t an easy answer to this.

Same day weigh ins is the only answer, as Coco said.

Boxing is not a sport you mess about with and if you choose to fight dehydrated and risk even more injury, then the fighter and their management are the only ones to blame.

A bit ruthless, I know, but how is it fair allowing guys to blow up, several divisions and gain an unfair advantage and put their opponents at even more risk?

Can't do the weight, then move up.

People will always push the boundaries.

Same day weigh ins isn’t the only way but it is a way that will certainly lead to more severe injuries and fatalities in the ring.

Adding in several weigh ins leading up to the fight or doing hydration tests the day before should heavily reduce the chances of guys crashing the weight pre weigh in.