Worth the weight?

With 18 weight classes currently in professional boxing surely these high level athletes could decide on a specific division in which to compete. Apparently not. Here we take a look at several UK (and Ireland) boxers who have recently changed weights with differing levels of success for one reason or another.

Ricky Burns - A former featherweight who recently went up to 140 lbs and then promptly back down to lightweight. It appeared that the “Rickster” didn’t feel he could make the weight after several lacklustre performances. In my opinion this was more to do with facing a potential pound for pound star in Terrence “Bud” Crawford and the underrated Dejan Zlaticanin. He did not look good in his short foray at light-welter and has stated his intention to re-campaign in his more natural division. Did he ever have trouble making the weight? Probably not. This tactic is often used to boost confidence following a defeat or poor performance, however a laboured points win over Alexandre Lepelley and a spirited defeat in Texas against home fighter Omar Figueroa seem to have had the opposite effect. He is due to return, as a lightweight, against brash Aussie Josh King this weekend on the Callum Smith vs Rocky Fielding undercard.

Tony Bellew - Another British fighter who moved up in weight after a loss. Rather than a man who continued his rise through the weights like Burns, the “Bomber” started his amateur career as a heavyweight and seemingly killed himself making weight. The sacrifice appeared worth it as he dominated domestically and contested two world titles at light-heavyweight before having to move up to his more natural level of 200 lbs. His defeat at the hands of Adonis Stevenson, and the now avenged points loss to Nathan Cleverly, appeared to me as a case of the better man winning on the respective nights. However, his considerable frame is definitely better suited to cruiserweight and his even more considerable power has stayed with him. Ironically the rematch against Cleverly is his only bout at the 200 lb limit to go the distance, despite being the one he would have loved to have finished early. A world title shot appears inevitable and I wouldn’t bet against it being third time lucky for the divisive Scouser.

Nathan Cleverly - It seems only fitting to discuss the Welshman next. His and Bellew’s careers will be forever linked, which will probably only infuriate the pair further. Unlike his rival, the maths graduate is not a natural cruiserweight, nor will he ever be (and yes hindsight is a wonderful thing). I wouldn’t have fancied hanging around with Kovalev either! He fought limited competition in his brief journey north of light-heavy, where he has recently returned, and looked physically gassed against Bellew. Since returning to 175 lbs, “Clev” has looked more comfortable despite losing to contender Andrzej Fonfara in his most recent outing. He appears to be in limbo at the moment as he looks to be just short of world level, especially with Andre Ward stepping up recently, but above the domestic scene. Check out our “Where next?” article to see which options are out there for him in the near future.

Martin Murray - The St. Helens man was always considered a big middleweight so his recent move up in weight makes a lot of sense from a physical point of view. If he isn’t killing himself to make weight, then he could prove a lot more effective. He has absolutely nothing left to prove at 160 lbs having almost gone the distance with the human wrecking machine Gennady “GGG” Golovkin and coming so close to world glory on two other occasions. He arguably beat Felix Sturm in Germany as well as coming very close to defeating an aging Sergio Martinez, before Cotto finished the job. Since his step up he has looked impressive against limited opponents and I strongly favour him to give current WBO champion Arthur Abraham all he can handle on November 21. Whether he has the power to stop him, or does enough to earn the decision away from home, remain to be seen.

Andy Lee - When Andy Lee started working with Adam Booth not many would have predicted that the respected trainer would suggest his 6”2 southpaw needed to drop down a division. Lee, who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics as a middleweight, seemed to make the weight easily and scored a sensational one punch knockout of John Jackson after being knocked down himself in the first round. His run at 154 lbs glory did not last long as an opportunity to fight for the vacant WBO middleweight title against much fancied Matt Korobov presented itself. An opportunity Lee took with both (heavy) hands. The fact Lee was technically outboxed for long periods appeared more a tactical ploy than an ill-effect of the weight changes. The first ever all Traveller world title match against Billy-Joe Saunders is next up for the Irishman on December 19 in Manchester. That promises to be an occasion to remember.

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