Ohio boxer, Adrien Broner, recently did an
interview about not making weight for his April 1, 2016
fight against challenger, Ashley Theophane. It cost Broner
$50,000 that went to Theophane as a bonus. Broner was
stripped of his WBA junior welterweight title days prior to
the fight, for weighing in at 140.4 pounds, which was .4 lbs
over the limit for the weight class (the catch weight).
Broner didn't take training seriously enough
and maintained a high calorie diet in the lead up to the
fight. He is also an alcoholic, which causes one to retain
fluid. I sounded a warning on Twitter two weeks before the
fight, as I realized he was not going to make weight and he
ended up not doing so. The catch weight exists to ensure a
fair, even fight between boxers. However, he did put in a
major effort after that point to reach the catch weight and
missing it by 4 ounces really does not constitute an unfair
advantage to an opponent (provided there is no massive
dehydration masking the true weight, with dehydration before
the fight sending the body mass up a good 10 pounds, at the
true weight).
Broner's weight had significantly come down
and it showed on his thinned out frame. Both boxers were
basically the same size. However, the whole episode had me
thinking, why wasn't he being weighed every few days. It's
his career and something that needs to be taken seriously.
Broner wants to be a big promoter, having started AB
Promotions, to handle his business affairs. However, to have
the best results in business, you have to be disciplined and
professional on all levels.
Broner stated to the Fight Hype website
about failing to make weight, "It's just something that a
reporter like you guys will never understand, because you
guys haven't pushed yourself for three months, trying to get
down to the weight, then once you hit that wall you just
can't go no more...It was over. I grew out of the weight
class."
Broner has now decided to move up to a new
weight class. It's clearly too stressful for him to be a
light weight. Therefore, it is understandable he would seek
to do this. However, the question is will he quickly adapt
to fighting in a new, heavier weight class, after several
years as a lightweight. Recently, Broner predicted his
friend Amir Khan would beat Canelo Alvarez after moving up
two weight classes. However, as I predicted, Canelo won the
fight. There are pros and cons to moving up to a new weight
division.
Broner stated in another interview that in
the days leading up to the Theophane fight, he didn't eat
for days, just kept sleeping and running, which is unsafe.
That type of crash dieting can create heart problems. This
is why some boxers discipline themselves to stay within a
certain weight that corresponds to their division year
round. Broner likes to party, eat pizza and fried chicken
and drink large quantities of alcohol. There's nothing wrong
with relaxing a bit, but gaining 20-30 pounds inbetween
fights, then engaging in drastic dieting to lose the weight
in a short space of time, is not good for anyone's health.
Boxers should try to stay within 5-pounds of their weight
class, as you can easily drop 5 pounds with a few days of
roadwork (jogging).
For years Floyd Mayweather maintained his
weight year round and even in retirement is still hovering
at that same general weight. Boxers such as Canelo Alvarez
and Deontay Wilder also routinely stay within a few pounds
of their weight class inbetween fights. To be fair, when
some boxers lose a fight, especially a big one, it is a
crushing blow. They use food to comfort themselves and the
pounds pile on. If they have no upcoming bouts for several
months or more, the weight creeps up on them and by the time
the next fight rolls around they've gained 20 or more
pounds. As boxing is their bread and butter, pardon the pun,
they have to make a conscious effort to stay within a few
pounds of their weight class. You can't give up on yourself.
