Connect with us

Boxing

Zuffa Boxing eliminates weight divisions from the title system

Published

on

Image: Zuffa Boxing eliminates multiple weight divisions from title system

The excluded divisions include super middleweight (168), junior welterweight (140), junior lightweight (130), junior bantamweight (122), junior must (112), junior must (108) and minimum weight (105). Zuffa’s model also lacks several other transitional divisions separating natural body sizes.

Zuffa compresses the weight structure

The decision forces athletes to compete above or below their natural weight or outside of Zuffa altogether. The promotion’s championship system will exclusively include heavyweight, cruiserweight, airy heavyweight, middleweight, welterweight, lightweight, featherweight and bantamweight. These are the most recognizable divisions in boxing, but they remove the intermediate classes that have historically allowed fighters to develop without extreme size disadvantages.

Bridge divisions like the 140th and 168th have long served as stabilizers for warriors whose bodies fall between customary limits. Removing them makes for more complex career choices. The natural junior welterweight must now compete against full welterweights at 147 pounds or drop down to lightweight. A super middleweight has to either fight bigger airy heavyweights or cut down to middleweight.

The move reflects White’s long-standing criticism of boxing’s championship structure, which he described as overcrowded and watered down.

The UFC model was used

“I’ve talked a lot about what I don’t like about boxing,” White said before Zuffa’s debut gala. “But I also said that if you look at the UFC and not just its success but its sustainability, I took everything I loved about boxing and everything I hated about boxing and how we built the UFC.”

As it builds its own internal system, Zuffa will rely on Ring Magazine’s rankings to determine its contenders. The promotion plans to crown its first champion on March 8 when Jai Opetaia and Brandon Glanton meet in a cruiserweight bout in Las Vegas.

The boxing championship structure has evolved over the decades to accommodate fighters of various body sizes. Zuffa narrows this structure down to fewer divisions and fewer champions. Fighters now have to deal with a narrower system than the one that has developed over time in boxing. Some will adapt. Others will stay where they are.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Boxing

Roy Jones Jr sums up Tyson Fury’s chances of beating top-ranked Lennox Lewis

Published

on

Roy Jones Jr sums up Tyson Fury’s chances of beating a prime Lennox Lewis

Britain has produced some great heavyweights in recent years, ending an almost century-long curse and seeing success in the division ever since. Predicting the outcome of the clash between two of the best fighters in the country, Lennox Lewis and Tyson Fury, Roy Jones Jr said it would be a “great fight”.

Bob Fitzsimmons became the first British world heavyweight champion in 1897, and he and Jones remain the only two fighters in boxing history to have won both middleweight and heavyweight world titles.

However, Great Britain struggled for success in the division after the Fitzsimmons fight, unable to claim heavyweight supremacy until Lennox Lewis became WBC world champion in 1992. Britain has since crowned its title 11th world heavyweight championFabio Wardley, who follows in the footsteps of Fury and Anthony Joshua.

In an interview with Grosvenor CasinoJones said he would give Lewis an advantage over the “Gypsy King” if they met in their prime.

“Tyson Fury vs. Lennox Lewis? That would be a great fight, but my first thought was Lennox Lewis because of his power. But my second thought was also that Tyson Fury was great at making adjustments. I would go with Lennox Lewis.”

At least one heavyweight world title is expected to remain in a Briton’s hands for some time, with Daniel Dubois scheduled to face another Briton, Fabio Wardley, for the WBO belt next month.

In the meantime, we hope 21-year-old Moses Itauma can continue Britain’s success for many years to come, with the youngster considered by many to be the hottest prospect in boxing.

As for Fury, he is focused on the UK-wide megafight with Joshua – their own ‘Battle of Britain’ after Lennox fought Frank Bruno in 1993.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Jermell Charlo says Derrick James has changed with fame

Published

on

Image: Jermell Charlo says Derrick James changed as success grew

“Derrick James, he started getting a little more players and a little more buzz, and I feel like our communication has changed,” Charlo told Brian Custer.

Charlo said that as James built a larger stable, there was less hands-on time spent with him and more trying to control the gym environment. He claimed that James wanted things done his way, including telling players to remove dogs from the gym during training sessions and changing the atmosphere that helped build their success.

Charlo has been out of the ring since his loss to Saul Alvarez in 2023, and James recently split from Errol Spence Jr. A coach once considered one of the safest hands in the sport is suddenly facing public criticism from two of his biggest names.

“He wanted it his way,” Charlo said. “Coach needs us. Don’t overdo it, coach. Serene down, coach. I was your first champion.”

He also pointed to his camp leading up to the Alvarez fight, saying the support around him wasn’t the same when he needed it most.

“You don’t enter into a world title fight like that,” Charlo said.

Charlo still believes he can regain his spot in the junior middleweight division, and talks about a possible fight with Sebastian Fundora are ongoing later this year. His confidence hasn’t changed, but his patience with ancient alliances has noticeably changed. Sometimes a rift begins when success changes the room.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Prince Naseem Hamed predicts Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight: ‘It’s going to sound crazy’

Published

on

Prince Naseem Hamed predicts Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua: “This is going to sound mad”

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua look set to face each other later this year in what could be one of the biggest British boxing events of all time.

Another British legend, Naseem Hamed, presented the course of the fight in a surprising way.

Fury had his ring returned within a a decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov earlier this monthshaking off ring rust at the age of 37 and allegedly preparing for a showdown with Joshua that the “Gypsy King” was set to take place this summer.

However, ‘AJ’ instead maintained that he would prefer a warm-up fight first, with the Londoner expected to return to action in July, ahead of a long-awaited meeting with his arch-rival in November.

I’m talking to talkSPORT BoxingHamed was looking forward to this match and suggested that a draw could be on the cards.

“Who do I think will win the fight between AJ and Fury? Well, that is the question and everyone wants to know.

“Years ago, Tyson had this awkward style for me where he could make AJ look stupid, that’s true. Now everything has changed. Tyson seemed to have backed off a little bit.

“But with Tyson Fury you never know, maybe one night he’ll show up and box amazingly and do what he did to Wilder. Those first few rounds [against Makhmudov]I was a little disappointed that he didn’t go from the start.

“This is going to sound crazy to you, but would it be unbelievable if I said it could be a draw?”

It is unclear whether Fury will also fight in the summer or whether he will avoid risking a lucrative romance with Joshua and wait patiently on the sidelines.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending