Two of the major 160-pound titles are up for grabs this weekend when Sergio Martinez defends against Paul Williams. There's one little hitch. Neither fighter will be allowed to actually weigh 160 when they step on the scale in Atlantic City today at 5 p.m. ET.
The same ridiculousness went down last week before Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito waged war for a 154-title. Margarito was not allowed to weigh above 150.
Are fighters legitimately winning titles in multiple weight classes when these stipulations are put on the title fights? It's a hot button issue for some fans around boxing, but Williams says it's bunch of bunk.
"All this talk about the catch-weight really doesn't matter," Williams said. "We wanted the catch-weight because I didn't want to bloat myself (by putting on too many pounds). But both of us will be weighing more than 160 on Saturday night, anyway. When we get into the ring, all that other stuff doesn't matter."
Williams didn't have to bloat himself at all. Why couldn't he just come in at 158 if he wants to and allow the middleweight champ to come in at the limit? Martinez isn't happy but without Williams there wasn't a major fight on the horizon.
"It's ridiculous," said Martinez. "I had to accept it for this one or otherwise there wouldn't have been a fight. But I don't believe in it."
Martinez wouldn't feel comfortable asking the champ for the special conditions.
"Personally, I'd be ashamed to ask for a catchweight. I would never do it. If you want to challenge someone for their title, be a man and fight at the right weight."
Whether you like it or not, two of the middleweight strap will be up for grabs in this 158-pound fight. We can do our own mini-protest by refusing to speak of the belt as anything significant. Can you really brag about winning titles in multiple weight classes and set records under these circumstances?
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