Should boxing go back to 8 weight classes instead of 18?

[TidWell]

Does anyone know why Boxing has 18 weight divisions now?

The original 8 weight classes in boxing were

Flyweight
Bantamweight
Featherweight
lightweight
welterweight
middleweight
light heavyweight
heavyweight

 

[Fluffernutter]

18 weightclasses
4 World Champions per weightclass
The addition of Diamond champions and Super champions.

If they subtract that, then how with the belt organizations makes money? They need those sanctioning fees.

Why doesn't anything think of the little guy?

 

[XThe GreatestX]

eh. honestly. I am fine with the weight classes ( for the most part).

Its the belts.

I don't have a problem with

HW
CW
LHW
SMW
MW
SWW
WW
SLW
LW
SFW
FW
SB
BW
SFLY
FLY

But there needs to just be one belt. Solves most of the problems

 

[randomg1t]

i don't even see a problem with multiple belts per division. the problem is guys holding belts not fighting each other.

 

[Hagler]

i don't even see a problem with multiple belts per division. the problem is guys holding belts not fighting each other.

This. Casuals will always find it hard to keep up with, but true fans will know which beltholders are actual elite.

Looking back in the black and white eras where there was supposed to be only one sanctionned world title in every weight class, you can see that things weren't as simple as it seems. Multiple belt owners have been existing for quite a long time. @Sharkey brought up some great insights on this issue in here a few years ago.

Now, back to my first point I guess unified titles would appeal more to casuals, hence enlarge the fan base, but then again so would more frequent elite bouts.

 

[aries]

I think Boxing has a been a victim of it's own success in terms of popularity. The fact that you can have 4 world titles at each weight and they still generate enough money to make it lucrative enough to run as a business shows that it makes sense money wise. You couldn't have 4 world titles in MMA, the organisations would crash and burn quite quickly.

 

[City_Lights]

I like the weight classes because you get less size mismatches. I agree about the belts for sure though. Having more than one per weight class isn't so bad but four is excessive and regular belts and super belts shouldn't exist.

 

[LangfordBarrow]

Does anyone know why Boxing has 18 weight divisions now?

The original 8 weight classes in boxing were

Flyweight
Bantamweight
Featherweight
lightweight
welterweight
middleweight
light heavyweight
heavyweight

The 18 divisions are fine. The real problem is having different sanctioning bodies recognize different champions, and the "regular" type as well, all at the same time. Sure they need to make money but it just seems like a scam the way they are running things now.

 

[nac386]

I'd like to see a weight class for each whole number. 141, 142, 143, and so forth. I want to know who the best fighter is at every weight.

 

[SSgt Dickweed]

There's nothing in boxing that mandatory Reebok contracts can't fix.

 

[Queen B]

I think weight classes should be seperated by at least 6-7 lbs.

You dont need 7 weight classes and 28 World Champions between 20 pounds. Thats 7 weight classes in a matter of a person's water weight fluctuation.

Its also why I think some of the talent in the low weight classes are spread too thin


I like amateur boxing weight classes. 114, 123, 132, 141, 152, 165, 178, 200, 201+

 

[eternaldarkness]

would be epic. not gonna happen.

 

[Queen B]

I remember 2 days ago Kal Yafai complained about David Carmona failing to make weight and came in 2 whole weight classes heavier.

It turns out he was 2 weight classes heavier because he was 3.5lb over the limit.

Made no difference as Yafai destroyed him pretty quick.

 

[ironfist05]

I'm fine with it as it is. In fact, I propose 100 weight classes. That way ESPN can make a list of 100 best weight classes and we can decide which ones to keep.