23 Jan 2021 12:28:05
Did you hear that WBC president Sulaiman wants to create a new division called 'Bridgerweight', a division capped at 224 pounds in between Cruiserweight and Heavyweight?
I have mixed thoughts on it. The name is ridiculous and it does dilute the sport even more, this will be boxing's 18th weight class. Fighters will have the choice to compete at Heavyweight or this new weight class if they weigh lighter than 224lbs. WBC say it's in the interest of safety to introduce this and this does make sense compared to the amount of different weight classes there are at the lower weights, although the main reason for its introduction is probably to provide the WBC with another platform to showcase that green belt and line its pockets.
I do think it will provide a lot of smaller heavyweights with an opportunity to fight for or win a world title that they would never get at heavyweight. Fighters like Hughie Fury imo r simply to small to ever do anything in your heavyweight division although maybe he's just not good enough. Be interesting to see if the new division takes off and what fighters opt to participate in it.

1.) 23 Jan 2021
23 Jan 2021 14:22:37
Yeah this has been talked about for a while and has even been made official as far as I'm aware
wbcboxing.com/en/bridgerweight/

I have mixed feelings about it too mate. On one hand I think it's a good idea because there is quite a gap between the size of some heavyweights. Also it can aid with cruiserweights making the jump to heavyweight as a stepping stone division.

On the other hand it's just a way for the WBC to get more sanctioning fees and to give them more power within Boxing.

I think you're mistaken about Hughie Fury mate, he's regularly over 230 lbs and is 6'6". The likes of Usyk, Babic, Hunter and Gassiev would be perfect for the division, as they either look out of shape or lose a lot of speed when they go above 220.

2.) 24 Jan 2021
23 Jan 2021 23:40:29
Yeah agree mate it's very interesting. My point on Hughie is he is never going to win a world title at heavyweight, maybe I should of said he doesn't hit hard enough to trouble the big men. Although at 224 the night before what will most these men be entering the ring? 240,250 maybe? I see the positives of of it mate tbh give fighters an opportunity but could be seen as the poor mans heavyweight?

3.) 25 Jan 2021
25 Jan 2021 14:21:02
You mean like Cruiserweight is seen now? Yeah probably. I only really payed attention to the Cruiserweight division when Bellew and Usyk were there. I know there are still some good fighters there like Briedis, but the division just doesn't interest me that much.

I think Hughie's best chance for a world title was against Parker, you could make a case to say he won it, but I just felt he was too timid in the fight. It's almost like he's not got the bottle, which I really don't like saying as he's got enough to step into the ring.
Maybe he could have a go at the WBA Regular title? He'd definitely beat Charr or Bryant, who are scheduled to fight for it lol.

4.) 26 Jan 2021
26 Jan 2021 12:22:28
Yeah it would end the cruiserweight division mate. I suppose it provides opportunities to fighters to win a legitimate world title. I do think fighters like Usyk r simply too small to win a world title at heavyweight until Fury and AJ hang them up. Think they r too good and big to be beat by anyone atm.
The WBA make a mockery of the term world title. What's this their ghost title or something like that? Lol.

5.) 26 Jan 2021
26 Jan 2021 13:17:31
No disrespect to Usyk I think he's a good fighter although I think a good big man will always beat a good small man. The small man is going to have to be exceptional to win. For example say Mike Tyson vs Tyson Fury if they were the same size then Mike walks through him and wins easy, but having to give up a foot in height, 15 inches in reach and 3 stone in weight makes it near a 50/ 50 imo possibly still Mike favourite 60/ 40. Its surly not fair fighting a man who is supposed to be in the same weight category as u but u have to give up so many advantages. Usyk faces similar problems to ease although he wants to be world heavyweight unification champion not works bridgerweight champion so I see it being classed as a dead division. Anyone good enough will not fight in it and add to confusion for casual fans. It could provide a safer step up from cruiserweight to heavyweight.

6.) 27 Jan 2021
27 Jan 2021 05:53:26
It carried some weight a few years back. Povetkin was the last big name to own it, then it went to Ruslan Chagaev, then Lucas Browne and he tested positive so it was vacant for over a year, then Charr won it against Ustinov in 2017 and it's been inactive since. So no one cares about it lol.