Catch weight

A catch weight is a term used in combat sports such as boxing and mixed martial arts to describe a weight limit for a fight that does not fall in line with the traditional limits for weight classes. In boxing, a catch-weight is negotiated when the weigh-ins are conducted a day before the fight.

Strictly speaking, a catch-weight in boxing is used to describe a weight limit for a fight that does not fall in line with the limits for the expanded weight classes; after the traditional rules of "day of" fight were changed to "day before" fight weigh-ins and after the traditional eight weight divisions were expanded to 17 weight classes.

An agreed weight was used to describe a catch-weight in the traditional way, when only eight (8) division limits existed and all weigh-ins were done "day or hours" before the fight. A historical marker that points to when "day of" fight weigh-ins ended is the advent of television. During the Muhammad Ali era, boxing promotions began televising the weigh-in proceedings to generate buzz prior to the scheduled fights, necessitating a "day before" fight weigh-in.

Utilizing modern conditioning and training methods, current fighters are able to cut weight for a "day before" fight weigh-in and regain the same weight on "day of" the fight.

The purpose of a catch-weight is to compensate for the ability of bigger boxers to cut weight before a "day before" fight weigh-in and re-build to a weight more than the specified limit (division or catch-weight) on "day of" the fight with little effects to his performance. The catch weight is not only to provide a level playing field but also to prevent weight mismatches that can endanger the fighters. And more importantly, the catch-weight is to ensure the fight is not canceled due last minute disagreement on fight time.

A notable case of alleged weight mismatch is Arturo Gatti vs. Joey Gamache. Gatti defeated the former world champion Gamache by knockout in the second round. After the bout, Gamache's handlers filed a lawsuit alleging Gatti had gained 19 pounds since the weigh-in the "day before" and thus had a large advantage over Gamache. This resulted in serious injuries to the smaller Gamache. After Gatti–Gamache, some boxing commissions started weighing boxers a second time.

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Wikipedia