Manny Pacquiao: World Title Fights Should Never Be at a Catch Weight

After the all-too-predictable breakdown of negotiations with Floyd Mayweather's camp Manny Pacquiao is now scheduled to fight disgraced Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito. I think it is commendable that Pacquiao wants to remain active and is happy to move up in weight in the process.

I can also understand why Pacquiao insists that fights like this should take place at a catch-weight. When taking on opponents who have a significant size advantage such as Margarito or Miguel Cotto a few pounds really can make all the difference.

However Pacquiao's camp needs to understand something: Unless a fight takes place at the set limit for the specified weight class it can not be for a legitimate world title.

When Pacquiao fought Cotto for the WBO Welterweight Title, the fight was set for a catch-weight of 145 lbs. This was the result of a gentleman's agreement between the two fighters that, despite fighting for a welterweight title, they would both weigh-in two pounds below the welterweight limit.

Pacquiao absolutely dominated Cotto and I do not think even Cotto himself would argue that the two pounds made any difference whatsoever in this particular fight. Unfortunately, Pacquiao's achievement was unnecessarily undermined by his insistence that his opponent should not weight in as an actual welterweight.

Pacquiao is leaving himself open to accusations that he has become bigger than boxing and that the rules are being systematically bent to allow him win titles in as many weight classes as possible.

Despite his next fight with Antonio Margarito being for the WBC Super Welterweight title, Pacquiao will once again not allow his opponent to step onto the scales at the correct weight. The super welterweight limit is 154 lbs, but Pacquiao is insisting the fight take place at a catch-weight of 150 lbs.

This makes a mockery of the world title Pacquiao is fighting for. How can you compare Pacquiao's achievement to that of any of his illustrious predecessors who have fought for and won this particular strap?

Pacquiao will be following in the footsteps of the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, and Thomas Hearns if he wins this title, but he will be the only man ever to have won it without facing an actual super welterweight opponent.

This fight will actually be taking place at closer to the welterweight limit of 147 lbs than the super welterweight limit of 154 lbs. How can Pacquiao genuinely lay claim to being a world champion at eight different weights should he beat Margarito under these circumstances?

It seems that the governing bodies which control these world titles are falling over themselves to throw them at the marquee fighters. Whether it be for the prestige which goes with having a name like Manny Pacquiao on your list of champions or simply the fee which they will receive, the likes of the WBC seem to be conspiring with the TV companies to ensure that any remotely high profile fight is for one version of a world title or another.

I am looking forward to watching Pacquiao face Margarito. I think it is a fight which has all the makings of a classic. I am also glad that they are scheduled to fight the full 12 rounds but, as Mayweather vs. Marquez showed us, you can have a 12-round fight without a title on the line.

If Pacquiao can defeat Margarito it will be the latest in a long line of remarkable achievements by the Filipino boxer and a truly meaningful event. If Pacquiao is awarded the WBC Super Welterweight title as a result of doing so it will be utterly meaningless and an insult to the long line of boxers who have fought for that particular title at the correct weight.

By making these diva-like weight demands Pacquiao is seriously detracting from his historic achievement of winning world titles in multiple weight classes.

Pacquiao's place in boxing history is assured without him needing to bend the rules to exaggerate the extent of his own achievements. If Pacquiao wants credit for winning a world title at a certain weight his opponent must be allowed to step onto the scales at that weight.