Weight cutting cuts two ways

The ploys and decoys posed by fighters cutting weight or weight crashing are wounding them and the sport deeply.

During the report of The WBC Medical Advisory committee, Luca Pacciolla outlined the causes and effects of this highly risky often eleventh hour practice, which sometimes involves drinking gallons of water.

Rather than drastic, foolish and practices based on old wives tales,  gradual reduction is a sensible way, with medical supervision and the expertise of a dietitian. The short cuts lead to lower  cardiac output, reduced strength and power as well as diminished endurance, susceptibility to concussions, cognitive deficiency, stress and mood swings.

Doctor Wallace said some fighters are cutting up to twenty percent of their body weight during twenty four hours. He said it’s highly dangerous and it’s cheating the system.

President Mauricio Sulaiman proposed coming up with a program which includes rehydration. Trainer Joe Gallagher suggested a new weight category between light heavyweight and cruiser. The weight currently involved,  is a whopping twenty five pounds.

An additional plan to start a Trainers Committee. It’s high time this has happened but hasn’t yet, possibly due to slow coaches.