By Hector Gonzalez: So here is the golden question: was Julio Chavez Jr’s bigger size an advantage or disadvantage in his fight with Sergio Martinez this weekend? Chavez Jr. weighted in at 158 the day before the fight and unknown but estimated weight of about 185 during the fight.
That’s at least a 25 pounds difference, and quiet frankly in regards to the question if it was an advantage or disadvantage it could be argued from both sides. The question would be if Chavez Jr. was in fact weight drained and slow and sluggish or if his strength alone gave him the advantage. Freddy Roach is on record saying that Chavez Jr would do better if he fought at 168lbs not at 160lbs during an interview a few days before the fight.
Here is where it gets jaded, lets look at Cotto/ Paquiao and Chavez Jr/ Martinez. In the case of Chavez Jr. many people were critical towards Chavez Jr. saying that he was the bigger guy fighting the much smaller guy, using this same argument, then we would have to assume that Cotto also had the advantage against Pacquiao.. The problem now is that many folks, including some insiders are accusing Pacquiao of weight draining fighters such as Cotto and De La Hoya. If that’s the case, then I’m assuming that it would be unfair to not apply the same logic with Chavez Jr vs Martinez. Did Cotto and De La Hoya have the advantage vs Pacquiao for being much bigger fighters, or did Pacquaio have the advantage for weight draining their fighters. Using this logic it would be understandable to say that Chavez Jr. was weight drained, I guess that no one could say for sure, but having fighters fight in their appropriate weight classes would clear up much of the fog.
The best way to avoid having these conflicts is to have better regulation controls regarding size, for example, in the case of Cotto vs Pacquiao, it almost seems unrealistic that a fight for the WBO welterweight championship belt would take place at 145lbs and not the standard 147lbs official welterweight size. In my opinion, even if Cotto came in at 147 and Pacquiao decided to come in at 145, Pacquiao still would have won but at least it would have made things less controversial.
With all due respect, I see the trend of fighters winning championships in inappropriate weight classes mostly in the Top Rank camp. For example,
· Donito Donaire was fighting at 118 (he’s at 122 now) but walking in at 135. Donito Donaire should actually be fighting the likes of Salido, Gamboa, or even Lopez, fighting at 126lbs or 130lbs seems the most appropriate weight for a fighter that walks in at 135lbs during fight night.
· Brandon Rios is a very powerful fighter being forced to fight at 135, when he is clearly walking into the ring weight drained. I honestly do not even see the point, I guess that I could see the power and his ability to walk through punches, but he also looks extremely slow for a lightweight. His body frame does not even look natural for a lightweight.
· Chavez JR. I honestly believe that Chavez Jr, is more talented then he is getting credit for, I agree with Roach, Chavez Jr would look better at 168 not 160.
· Manny Pacquiao along with the list of fighters that have fought him at weight classes that don’t even exist- catch weights. For example, Cotto at 145lbs and Marquez at 143lbs. I understand that there is bigger money to be made at the higher weight classes but it would be more realistic for Manny to fight at 140 or 147 with no catch weights.
In the Golden Boy camp there is Adrien Broner who has been looking really good beating up little guys, with the exception of Ponce De Leon (just my opinion), but at least Golden Boy is moving him up now against a real threat in Antonio Demarco at a more appropriate weight class.
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