What happens if a boxer misses weight? Rules, punishments, when weigh-ins take place and how boxers

Publish date: 2024-05-17

The weigh-in ahead of a big boxing match is always a real spectacle as both fighters square up and trash-talk each other, but it's important.

The weigh-in is a crucial part of any fight and there are strict rules around what is allowed and what isn't.

Fighters across all weight divisions in female and male boxing have strict weight limits set before each bout and cannot be over.

What happens if a boxer fails to make weight?

Given there are so many regulatory bodies across boxing, the rules and punishments vary greatly.

But the main two consequences of failing to make weight are usually monetary fines and the cancellation of the proposed fight.

Boxing is a dangerous sport, so being over the weight limit could have grave consequences in the ring, which is why the punishments are so severe.

If a professional boxer in any weight class comes in over the limit, the person in question is given two hours to cut the required pounds.

If they fail to trim down in that time, the fight could be cancelled, and the boxer must pay all of the promoter expenses as well as a fine.

This can be 10 precent of the purse or $150 (£120) for every pound over the respective fighter's weight limit, whichever is greater.

In a title fight, the stakes are even higher as if the defendant fails to make weight initially and after the two-hour window, they will be stripped of the title.

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This happened last year to Shakhur Stevenson as he failed to make weight to defend his WBC/WBO junior lightweight title.

The fight against Robson Conceicao went ahead, as both men agreed, and Stevenson won via unanimous decision but lost his belts.

The same also applies to any boxer challenging for a vacant belt.

But that fight could still go ahead if both participants agree and the fighter who failed to make weight agrees not to compete for the title.

When do weigh-ins take place?

In professional boxing, and especially in big fights, the weigh-in usually takes place a day before and is a bit of a spectacle.

However, it can be conducted up to three hours before a scheduled event.

Some people believe a same-day weigh-in is fairer, while others are happy with it taking place the day before and allowing promoters to hype their respective boxers.

The only rule around the weigh-in that must be adhered to is that both fighters and promoters get to witness the opponent's weigh-in.

If this doesn't happen for anything other than a valid reason and the fighter in question misses the three-hour window to attend, they will be disqualified.

How do boxers lose and gain weight so quickly?

Weight-cutting in boxing is a difficult task and requires a dedicated plan.

If a fighter plans to cut weight on the day of the bout, they are most likely to maintain weight in the lead up to the event by controlling calorie intake and performing regular cardiovascular exercise.

But the key to losing weight is for boxers to dehydrate themselves at least 24 hours before the event.

This, coupled with taking part in activities that induce sweating, ensures the respective participant loses the required weight.

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What happens if a boxer misses weight? Rules, punishments, when weigh-ins take place and how boxers

What happens if a boxer fails to make weight?

Most read in Boxing

When do weigh-ins take place?

How do boxers lose and gain weight so quickly?

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