By Matthew Fogg: Firstly, I am sure there will be many arguments and comments raised on and from several different boxing sources on this subject, but from what I saw at the weigh-in between the fighters Floyd Mayweather Jr. (39-0, 25KO’s) and Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1, 37KO’s) I feel inclined to comment.
Let me say that I was never a fan of the catch-weight in the first place. Many people at this point will say that it was needed due to the fact that Marquez would find it difficult to meet with and fight at the 147 welterweight limit, but with Mayweather coming in at 146 pounds a few hours ago, what was the real point in setting a catch-weight?
I realize that Mayweather will face a fine, but I really do not think that justifies the fact he disregarded the limit. If the penalty was more severe maybe he and his camp would have tried harder to obey the limit. This leaves me to question the significance and decision of creating the catch-weight limit.
This, aside from performance-wise, really throws the fight for both fighters in numerous ways. I think that although the extra weight could suit Mayweather, the fact that he has come in overweight raises a lot of questions about his character and legacy in the sport of boxing. If he does get the victory in Vegas, it should leave many saying, ‘he was overweight at the weigh-in and with this was obviously going to win.’ I realism it is not all about size but maybe the more casual of fans will pick up on this and see it as a main contributor in the end result if Mayweather were to win. This being the case, if Mayweather wins, I believe it will effect his reputation.
There are differing examples of this in the sport, take an extreme case for example. When Antonio Margarito (37-6, 27KO’s) beat Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27KO’s) in July 2008 many still disregard Cotto as having no loss on his record thanks to the hand-wrapping incident. I know this could be slightly over-emphasizing the two pound difference from Mayweather’s weight to the limit set but maybe fans will see him as ‘not really beating Marquez fairly’ if he was to win tomorrow night. I am sure, Mayweather being Mayweather, he will protest and say that the outcome was inevitable if he was to win anyway.
In Marquez’s case I guess it is safe to say that if he was to win in Vegas then it could promote his skill further as he overcome a fighter who was four pounds heavier, rather than two (Floyd’s weight if he had obeyed the limit). I am unsure of the technicalities involved in Marquez’s fight weight, but for instance, if he his camp were trying to keep his weight a little lower so as not to lose any pace or quickness come fight night, this tactic could have been thrown due to the fact Mayweather came in heavier. Maybe if the weight was at 147 Marquez would have been slightly heavier at the weigh in. Even if this is not the case, fighters train to reach certain weight limits before a fight and model this on the fact their opponent will be at the same weight. The fact that Mayweather was over the limit today has left me really questioning why the Catch-Weight was set. From the word go I was one in a group of many fight fans who would rather be watching Floyd in the ring with Manny Pacquiao(49-3-2, 37KO’s), not Marquez – and was left disappointed when the self declared ‘still best P4P fighter in the world,’ didn’t take on he who is currently seen as P4P. (Here I am disregarding the fact that promotion and money issues etc could have prevented this from happening.)
All this being said I still believe Juan Manuel Marquez is in with a shot. I have said many times that Mayweather fans know the sheer class of their fighter and know he will win. With Marquez fans I see more of a hopeful attitude, rather than knowing. With this being said it would have been good to see many of the avid Mexican fans at the weigh-in cause more of a fuss. The look on Mayweather’s face when the weight of 146 was announced was one of shock and sudden realization. I think confusion and disbelief stopped any further action from taking place on the stage. Marquez was very professional about it and I, for one, will be very interested in seeing what he has to say on the matter.
All in all the fight is still taking place and I think that whatever the outcome; before, during and after the fight the weight issue will be mentioned. The fact that Mayweather came in two pounds over the limit means that he can re-hydrate to a bigger weight than he would be doing if he came in at 144. What is the real significance of a catch-weight if it is going to be broken and leave one fighter as close as, without being exactly on, the next weight limit up? I just hope all of this hasn’t affected Marquez’s mindset and preparation and we can still all witness a great fight.
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