Almost every sport has what is called the purist. The fan that only feels the need for the black and white aspect of the game and becomes enraged with the natural evolution of the gray. Even if it is proven to benefit the spectator like the playoff system in baseball, the purist sees it as an abomination to the regular season champion. They will say, “why do we need to add games? We just played 162.” So what is the gray matter that the boxing purist hates? The catch-weight fight.
This harsh cynicism is derived from the belief in the weight class system. Where limits are placed and not to be exceeded by the fighter the day before the scheduled contest. The sanctioning bodies of the boxing world use this tool to differentiate and honor their respective champions. However, in an age where promoters and fighters rule the perverbial roost. An iron fist governing body will struggle to survive.
Catch-weights are a needed evolution in professional boxing. They provide the next facet to the beautiful chess match that is prize fighting. It is the enticing bridge that fighters from different divisions will choose to cross and meet in the ring. Love it or hate it, but without them all we have is a continuation of the amateurs. Where fighters simply size themselves to be dominant and never leave their comfort zones. Should sanctioning bodies allow them for title fights? Probably not. Then again, million dollar babies need pacifiers too.
Click the menu at the top and check out other boxing opinion articles on attimessatire.wordpress.com
Articles are featured on Brooklynfights.
follow me on Twitter @calmopinto92
Boxing Reads 