A Weighty Issue:

A Weighty Issue:

By Bryan Connolly

While it’s always been a problem within the sport, but its a trend that seems to be growing, and too many times we see professional boxers failing to make their contracted weight.

Here is a list of just a few examples in recent years that fighters have not been able to make the scheduled weight limits.

2011 – Brandon Rios vs John Murray
2012 – Brandon Rios vs Richar Abril

Both fights directly after each other Rios failed to make the weight. Both times Rios couldn’t win the title, and both times Rios won the matchup.

2013 – Mikey Garcia vs Juan Manuel Lopez

Garcia failed to make weight and was 2lbs overweight. He was stripped of his WBO World Featherweight Title, and won the fight by TKO in round 4.

2016 – Adrien Broner vs Ashley Theopane

Broner was stripped of his WBA Super Lightweight Title as he was 1/2lb over the limit. He was given 2 hours to lose and he couldn’t shift the required weight. Broner went on to win by TKO in round 9 but again couldn’t regain the title.

2017 – Geronta Davis vs Francisco Fonseca

Davis weighed in 2lbs over the limit, and was stripped of his IBF Super Featherweight Title. He went on to win by KO in round 8.

2017 – Liam Smith vs Liam Williams

Smith was 1lb over the limit and for him the WBO Interim World Title wasn’t on the line. Smith when interviewed said, he misjudged the weight and just couldn’t lose any more. He won the fight by retirement in round 9.

2018 – Scott Quigg vs Oscar Valdez

This fight was set in Las Vegas and Quigg was 3lbs over the limit. That meant he couldn’t win the WBO Featherweight Title, but was determined to still win the fight. He lost the fight on points by unanimous decision.

2018 – Paul Butler vs Emmanuel Rodriguez

Butler failed to make weight and for him the IBF World Bantamweight Title wouldn’t be his even if he could win, on the undercard of Bellew Haye 2. He lost this fight on points by unanimous decision.

There are lots of other fighters and bouts that are affected by the failure to make weight.

The various world governing bodies and the British Boxing Board of Control need to step up and introduce some kind of disciplinary procedure or a more stringent weight making monitoring system. Yes they can’t win a title if its on the line but a failure to make the weight category means they don’t fulfil their contractual obligations, and in many cases give them an unfair advantage over their opponent.

It is a problem that is getting more frequent, and needs a solution.