By Adam Godfrey: The definition of a catchweight, according to multiple online dictionaries scoured by yours truly are, frankly, rubbish. They do not convey the spirit of the reason why catchweights exist. You’ll have to confirm this for yourselves. The point is that anybody who has followed boxing for any amount of time should instinctively understand what a catchweight is as a matter of definition.
A catchweight is a weight agreed between two boxers or their negotiators that does not fall in line with usual weight stipulations assigned by a pair of boxer’s divisions. However, even this definition is lacking, as anybody who has an interest in the sweet science inherently understands the nuances of what a catchweight really is; it is a tool to bring two fighters together who would usually fight in different divisions so that they can face off on an even playing field.
This is the essence of a catchweight and describes why it can be so useful. Take the example of Floyd Mayweather v Saul Alvarez, 2013. If they were to meet at their respective true fighting weights, Alvarez would hold a huge natural advantage over his opponent. Despite Mayweather’s incredible defense and boxing prowess, it would only take one well timed, even lucky shot from the naturally bigger Alvarez to end the bout via knockout, even if he was outboxed until that point and was easily losing on points. A 13lb weight difference (the difference between the 147lb Welterweight limit and the 160 Middlewight limit) is enormous, and eventually will become insurmountable. It is not a reasonable weight difference. A fight between a 147lb Mayweather and a 160lb Alvarez, or even a 155lb Alvarez, is a ridiculous proposition, even if the smaller fighter is the pound for pound superior boxer.
Enter the catchweight. If there is a weight between 147lb and 160lb that will nullify the natural, but unfair advantages that one fighter enjoys without significantly and unfairly reducing the other’s inherent attributes then the fight can go ahead on an even keel; the fight will be a fair one but will not compromise what made the fight an attractive one in the first place, which assumedly is an attractive clash of style or personality. No boxer worth their salt wants to score a victory with an * next to the result, as a win for a 160lb Alvarez over a 147lb Mayweather certainly would. All things being equal the bigger fighter will win a majority of fights against a more skilled but smaller opponent, such is the way of the world. (‘the above example is for illustrative purposes only’, the businessman in me is inclined to point out).
There is a danger of my attempt to explain what a catchweight is really for of becoming over analysis. It could potentially be mistaken for (to use a very English turn of phrase) waffle. However, such is the inability of many boxing fans to understand the importance of the definition of a catchweight and why catchweights exist in the context of certain proposed fights, it is very necessary to examine the idea in such detail, even if it is potentially confusing. The essence of my argument is this; catchweights exist to make fights possible that otherwise wouldn’t be viable in a sport where size matters and the significantly bigger fighters usually do not fall hard. If a fight is proposed by two fighters who are or should be in the same weight division, a catchweight is a misnomer, and the fighter insisting on the catchweight should be viewed with suspicion.
Catchweights have always existed, but are currently being used by certain boxers to gain an unfair advantage rather than to make a fight fair. This is not what they exist for, in fact, it is the polar opposite of why the catchweight exists at all.
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