Catch weight
Encyclopedia
A catch weight is a term used in combat sports such as boxing
and mixed martial arts
to describe a weight limit for a fight that does not fall in line with the traditional limits for weight classes. In boxing
, a catch-weight is negotiated when the weigh-ins are conducted a day before the fight.
is used to describe a weight limit for a fight that does not fall in line with the limits for the expanded weight classes; after the traditional rules of “day of” fight were changed to “day before” fight weigh-ins and after the traditional 8 weight divisions were expanded to 17 weight classes.
An agreed weight was used to describe a catch-weight in the traditional way, when only eight (8) division limits existed and all weigh-ins were done “day or hours” before the fight. A historical marker that points to when “day of” fight ended is the advent of television. In boxing and in Muhammad Ali’s time, they started televising the weigh-in proceedings to promote fights necessitating a “day before” fight weigh-in.
With modern conditioning and training methods, today’s fighters are able to cut weight for a “day before” fight weigh-in and regain the same weight on “day of” the fight.
The purpose of a catch-weight is to compensate for the ability of bigger boxers to cut weight before a “day before” fight weigh-in and re-build to a weight more than the specified limit (division or catch-weight) on “day of” the fight with little effects to his performance. The catch weight is not only to provide a level playing field but also to prevent weight mismatches that can endanger the fighters. And more importantly, the catch-weight is to ensure the fight is not canceled due last minute disagreement on fight time.
A case of a weight mismatch is the Arturo Gatti vs Joey Gamache fight. In the controversial fight between Gatti vs Gamache, Gamache's handlers claimed Gatti had gained 19 pounds since the weigh-in the “day before” and thus had a large advantage over Gamache. This resulted in serious injuries to the smaller Gamache. After Gatti-Gamache, some boxing commissions started weighing boxers a second time.
Combat sports commonly have defined weight classes with specific weight limits. For example, each boxing division with the exception of heavyweight
has its own limits for weight classes, ranging from 105 pounds for minimumweight
to 200 pounds for cruiserweight and varying in range in the weight classes in between. In order to fight for a championship in these weight classes the fighters must come in to the fight at or below said weight.
Cases can arise when a fight does not occur within a specific weight class limit. In certain cases a contract for a fight will specify that the two fighters come into the fight at another limit. Often, this limit will be at a midpoint between two weight classes. Recent examples of catch weight fights where a weight limit was different from that of a defined weight class include the second fight between Jermain Taylor
and Kelly Pavlik
, which was fought at a catch weight of 166 pounds and the Félix Trinidad
-Roy Jones, Jr. fight, which was fought at 171 pounds.
In another example, fighters can agree to fight at a formal weight; however, at weigh-in a fighter can come in over the formal weight. So the fight is not canceled, an agreement may be reached where the fight is made at a catch weight. Commonly, the fighter who comes in overweight pays a penalty - for example a 20% penalty with 10% going to the fighter who made weight and 10% going to a commission sanctioning the fight. An example of this catch weight situation occurred at UFC 104
where Anthony Johnson
came in over the welterweight
limit of 170 for his fight against Yoshiyuki Yoshida
. While commissions sometimes give a one pound grace, Johnson came in at 176. An agreement was made that the fight would occur at a catch weight of 176.
Oftentimes, catch weight fights are still considered fights within a formal weight class. For example, when Manny Pacquiao
fought Miguel Cotto
, the fight was at a catch weight of 145 pounds to accommodate Pacquiao's smaller physique. Boxing has a junior welterweight weight class with a weight limit of 140 and a welterweight
weight class with a weight limit of 147. Since the fight was under the 147 limit and above the 140 limit, the fight was considered a welterweight fight as well as being considered a catch weight fight. In addition, the World Boxing Organization
sanctioned this fight for the welterweight title since the fight was under the welterweight limit.
Another example was at UFC 99
when Wanderlei Silva
fought Rich Franklin
at a catch weight bout of 195 pounds. Silva typically fought at the Light Heavyweight
weight class of 205 pounds, while Franklin fought at the Middleweight
weight class of 185 pounds. They agreed on a catch weight bout, and both men weighed in at 194 for the fight.
It should also be noted that the term 'catchweight', with the above meaning, is especially prevalent in North America; other countries may well consider catchweight to be the old wrestling meaning, when to make a contest more interesting they might have a good middleweight meeting a not-so-good heavyweight, etc.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
and mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
to describe a weight limit for a fight that does not fall in line with the traditional limits for weight classes. In boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, a catch-weight is negotiated when the weigh-ins are conducted a day before the fight.
Explanation
Strictly speaking, a catch-weight in boxingBoxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
is used to describe a weight limit for a fight that does not fall in line with the limits for the expanded weight classes; after the traditional rules of “day of” fight were changed to “day before” fight weigh-ins and after the traditional 8 weight divisions were expanded to 17 weight classes.
An agreed weight was used to describe a catch-weight in the traditional way, when only eight (8) division limits existed and all weigh-ins were done “day or hours” before the fight. A historical marker that points to when “day of” fight ended is the advent of television. In boxing and in Muhammad Ali’s time, they started televising the weigh-in proceedings to promote fights necessitating a “day before” fight weigh-in.
With modern conditioning and training methods, today’s fighters are able to cut weight for a “day before” fight weigh-in and regain the same weight on “day of” the fight.
The purpose of a catch-weight is to compensate for the ability of bigger boxers to cut weight before a “day before” fight weigh-in and re-build to a weight more than the specified limit (division or catch-weight) on “day of” the fight with little effects to his performance. The catch weight is not only to provide a level playing field but also to prevent weight mismatches that can endanger the fighters. And more importantly, the catch-weight is to ensure the fight is not canceled due last minute disagreement on fight time.
A case of a weight mismatch is the Arturo Gatti vs Joey Gamache fight. In the controversial fight between Gatti vs Gamache, Gamache's handlers claimed Gatti had gained 19 pounds since the weigh-in the “day before” and thus had a large advantage over Gamache. This resulted in serious injuries to the smaller Gamache. After Gatti-Gamache, some boxing commissions started weighing boxers a second time.
Combat sports commonly have defined weight classes with specific weight limits. For example, each boxing division with the exception of heavyweight
Heavyweight
Heavyweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. Fighters who weigh over 200 pounds are considered heavyweights by the major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Council, and the World Boxing...
has its own limits for weight classes, ranging from 105 pounds for minimumweight
Minimumweight
Minimumweight is a weight class division in combat sports. The most notable of which is in professional boxing where boxers may weigh no more than . This is a relatively new weight category for professionals, first inaugurated by the major boxing sanctioning bodies between 1987 and 1990...
to 200 pounds for cruiserweight and varying in range in the weight classes in between. In order to fight for a championship in these weight classes the fighters must come in to the fight at or below said weight.
Cases can arise when a fight does not occur within a specific weight class limit. In certain cases a contract for a fight will specify that the two fighters come into the fight at another limit. Often, this limit will be at a midpoint between two weight classes. Recent examples of catch weight fights where a weight limit was different from that of a defined weight class include the second fight between Jermain Taylor
Jermain Taylor
Jermain Taylor is an American professional boxer and former undisputed middleweight champion. He made his professional boxing debut in 2001 and won his first 25 bouts, which included victories over former champions Raúl Márquez and William Joppy...
and Kelly Pavlik
Kelly Pavlik
Kelly Pavlik is an American professional boxer. He was The Ring, WBC, & WBO middleweight champion from when he beat Jermain Taylor on September 29, 2007 until he lost his titles to Sergio Martinez on April 17, 2010....
, which was fought at a catch weight of 166 pounds and the Félix Trinidad
Félix Trinidad
Félix 'Tito' Trinidad, Jr. is a Puerto Rican professional boxer, considered one of the best in Puerto Rico's history. After winning five National Amateur Championships in Puerto Rico, he debuted as a professional when he was 17. He won his first world championship when he defeated Maurice Blocker...
-Roy Jones, Jr. fight, which was fought at 171 pounds.
In another example, fighters can agree to fight at a formal weight; however, at weigh-in a fighter can come in over the formal weight. So the fight is not canceled, an agreement may be reached where the fight is made at a catch weight. Commonly, the fighter who comes in overweight pays a penalty - for example a 20% penalty with 10% going to the fighter who made weight and 10% going to a commission sanctioning the fight. An example of this catch weight situation occurred at UFC 104
UFC 104
UFC 104: Machida vs. Shogun was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.-Background:...
where Anthony Johnson
Anthony Johnson (fighter)
Anthony Kewoa Johnson is an American mixed martial artist, who competes as a welterweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.-Amateur wrestling:...
came in over the welterweight
Welterweight
Welterweight is a weight class division in combat sports. Originally the term "welterweight" was used only in boxing, but other combat sports like kickboxing, taekwondo and mixed martial arts also began to use it for their own weight division system...
limit of 170 for his fight against Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Yoshiyuki Yoshida
is a Japanese mixed martial artist competing in the welterweight division. A student of former Shooto competitor Noboru Asahi, he has competed in Shooto, Cage Force, and the UFC...
. While commissions sometimes give a one pound grace, Johnson came in at 176. An agreement was made that the fight would occur at a catch weight of 176.
Oftentimes, catch weight fights are still considered fights within a formal weight class. For example, when Manny Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao
Emmanuel "Manny" Dapidran Pacquiao, PLH is a Filipino professional boxer and politician. He is the first eight-division world champion; having won six world titles, as well as the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the...
fought Miguel Cotto
Miguel Cotto
Miguel Ángel Cotto Vázquez is a Puerto Rican professional boxer and the reigning WBA light middleweight champion. He is the younger brother of contender Jose Miguel Cotto and cousin of Abner Cotto...
, the fight was at a catch weight of 145 pounds to accommodate Pacquiao's smaller physique. Boxing has a junior welterweight weight class with a weight limit of 140 and a welterweight
Welterweight
Welterweight is a weight class division in combat sports. Originally the term "welterweight" was used only in boxing, but other combat sports like kickboxing, taekwondo and mixed martial arts also began to use it for their own weight division system...
weight class with a weight limit of 147. Since the fight was under the 147 limit and above the 140 limit, the fight was considered a welterweight fight as well as being considered a catch weight fight. In addition, the World Boxing Organization
World Boxing Organization
The World Boxing Organization is a sanctioning organization currently recognizing professional boxing world champions. The organization is recognized as one of the four major world championship groups by the IBHOF alongside the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Council and the...
sanctioned this fight for the welterweight title since the fight was under the welterweight limit.
Another example was at UFC 99
UFC 99
UFC 99: The Comeback was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on June 13, 2009 in Cologne, Germany. It was the first UFC event held in Germany, as well as the first in mainland Europe .-Background:On Monday, June 1, the...
when Wanderlei Silva
Wanderlei Silva
Wanderlei César da Silva , nicknamed "The Axe Murderer", is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, who has competed in Japan's Pride Fighting Championships and the American based Ultimate Fighting Championship . Silva is known for his aggressive fighting style with the majority of his fights ending in...
fought Rich Franklin
Rich Franklin
Rich Jay Franklin II is an American mixed martial artist and former Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight champion.-Background:...
at a catch weight bout of 195 pounds. Silva typically fought at the Light Heavyweight
Light Heavyweight (MMA)
The light heavyweight division in mixed martial arts generally refers to competitors weighing between 186 and 205 lb . It sits between the lighter middleweight division, and the heavyweight division....
weight class of 205 pounds, while Franklin fought at the Middleweight
Middleweight (MMA)
The middleweight division in mixed martial arts can refer to a number of different weight classes:*UFC's & Strikeforce's middleweight division, which groups competitors within 171 to 185 lb...
weight class of 185 pounds. They agreed on a catch weight bout, and both men weighed in at 194 for the fight.
It should also be noted that the term 'catchweight', with the above meaning, is especially prevalent in North America; other countries may well consider catchweight to be the old wrestling meaning, when to make a contest more interesting they might have a good middleweight meeting a not-so-good heavyweight, etc.