San Francisco, CA– This article is the first in what will be a series on some much needed improvements regarding the safety of boxing. This first installment looks at the current system of weighing fighters in the day prior to a fight.
BOXING & “THE NOW FAKED” WEIGHT CLASSES
Having myself been a big jr. welter (140 lbs), while at the same time an undersized welter (147), nobody was more concerned at most of my weigh ins than yours truly. Once I weighed 143 and change for a welterweight bout in Las Vegas at the Showboat Hotel. Having hit the scale early in the week for the Golden Glove Regional Nationals, when I looked across the ring five days later at a 165 lb. Ernie Chavez, I thought, “That must be his brother.” After besting me, unbeaten southpaw Ernie would later rock Meldrick Taylor’s world before losing and then retiring professionally.
ALMOST EVERYBODY NOW DOING WHAT ERNIE DID
With the exception of Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, and maybe Grandpa Nard’ Hopkins, just about every professional fighting today at the championship level (except heavyweights) is fighting at least one weight class lighter than what he should be. Example: Jorge Arce was under 112 lbs. for a flyweight title at the weigh in. Time and again Jorge would weigh over 125 lbs., sometimes as much as 128+ lbs. stepping into the ring. At the same time his foes were coming into the ring circa 115-118. Can you imagine what a ten pound advantage is at that weight?
LIST IS TOO LONG TO PRINT
Without singling out anybody in particular as to whom benefits most by the current weighing system that was first employed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for an IBF 160 lb. title tilt in 1988 between a dehydrated champ Frank Tate and Michael Nunn. My good friend, God bless him, Tate’s manager Bob Spagnola, if he hadn’t been so good at lobbying for his fighter, these day before the fight weigh ins might never have become the norm. Thanks Bob!
NCAA & PENNSYLVANIA “KEEPIN’ IT REAL”
After a barrage of studies, tests, this conducted over a five year period, the NCAA, which governs college athletics in the US, went to same day weigh ins for their amateur wrestlers. In fact not only same day, but three hours prior to the match! The alleged main concern with weighing the day before is that it reduces the possibility of a dehydrated fighter getting hurt. This lame reason has bastardized the weight class structure. The NCCA and Pennsylvania, for all but the big title fights, it is same day weigh ins!
ALL THE GREATS WEIGHED IN ON DAY OF FIGHT
With the exception of heavyweight title fights, of which the weigh ins were themselves media events, all the greats from Willie Pep and Ray Robinson to Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran, they weighed in on the day of the fight. Somebody should ask Keith Kizer of the Nevada Commission, ask him how can a welterweight (147) like Miguel Cotto be allowed to step into a ring some 30 hrs. later and some 20+ lbs. heavier, how can this still be billed as a welterweight fight?
SIZE DISADVANTAGE MOST DANGEROUS FOR “TBA” FIGHTERS
What this does is it sets up a severe disadvantage for some, especially “opponent” types as they’re already undersized a lot of the time. These guys are the lowest on the pugilistic food chain and take fights against bigger guys, and this before having a day to put on more. But fair play is not what boxing is about, it’s about the powers that be making money period! The suits, they know of the NCAA tests and how it is better for the athlete. But the financial and logistical advantages of day before weigh ins trump fighter safety, always have, always will!
Pedro Fernandez