By Robert Elmore: Since there seems to be no common ground on who asked for the catch-weight, BOTH MEN SIGNED THE CONTRACT WITHOUT PRESSURE. Both men knew what can possibly happen by taking this bout from a physical standpoint. But make no mistake, both men definitely know the financial success this fight can bring. But what is causing more of a buzz is the 152 pound catch-weight.
For those who don’t know understand what this means, allow me to explain. During the weigh in (the day before the fight), both fighters cannot weigh more than 152 pounds. The night of the fight, both fighters can weigh whatever they want. But what some fail to realize is that Canelo, even at 152 is still a junior middle weight. Anything between 148 and 154, (with 154 being the maximum weight), is still junior middleweight ladies and gentlemen. 152 does not disqualify Canelo from his weight class. If Canelo moved down to Floyd’s weight class of 147 pounds, then the argument of being drained would stand. But Canelo doesn’t seem to be bothered by the weight. It’s his loving fans that are making a big fuss about it.
For Floyd’s fans (Yes, I’m one them) the catch-weight is an issue because his two previous trips to 154 (Oscar De La Hoya and Miguel Cotto) were done in such a manor. I believe Floyd understood that the critics will feast on him because of the way he talked about how Manny Pacquiao has used this formula. Personally, I didn’t have a problem with the catch-weight because it’s been done before in boxing. But Floyd has never weighed more than 151 pounds for both of his trip up to 154. I seriously believe Floyd won’t come near the 152 pounds. He’ll probably touch 146 or 147 because this is where he is most comfortable. The boxing world buzz blew up last week when the 30 mandatory weigh in took place. Canelo was 166.8 and Floyd was 150.
Instantly, Canelo fans/Floyd haters said that Canelo is being “drained”. Canelo has been struggling to make 154 for some time now because he is only 23 years old and still growing. So is it safe to say that Canelo has been draining himself trying to stay at a weight that his body is clearly rejecting?
This sort of reminds me of the Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao bout. De La Hoya came down from 154 to 145 and hadn’t fought at 147 in nine years. What’s even stranger is that Oscar only rehydrated two pounds. He has never rehydrated just two pounds his entire career. Pacquiao was moving up to the welter weight class as well.
Nevertheless about the weight, BOTH MEN AGREED TO THE FIGHT. Both knew what they were getting into as far as the weight, gloves, ring size, purse split, etc. So how can I side with either fighter when both agreed to it? Oscar still held “the key to super stardom” and was still much bigger than Pac in terms of negotiations.
Why didn’t he make Pacquiao come up to junior middleweight? Some might say Pacquiao couldn’t touch the junior middleweight division at that time. Well whose problem was that? Oscar really didn’t need the fight from a money stand point. His ego got in the way and he paid the price for it. Floyd nor Canelo doesn’t need the fight. THEY WANT THE FIGHT. Floyd could have stayed at 147 and fought on and Canelo could have went on with his career.
So again, both fighters have signed the contract so what’s there to argue about? If Floyd loses, I will have no excuses. He’s not in his prime and taking on a young hungry lion. If Canelo loses, there will be no excuses there as well. He hasn’t exactly been fighting grade a competition until he took on Austin Trout. But I have no pity for either man. Much love for both stepping up to the plate
Comments are closed.