Is it mandatory that fighters gain weight to fight up a weight class or is it only when fighting down?

Question

Is it mandatory that fighters gain weight to fight up a weight class or is it only when fighting down?

Answer 1

Yes in order to fight in a certain weight class you must meet that weight requirement as the reason they weigh in the night before. The catch is that many lose weight before a fight to fight in a lighter weight class then gain a tremendous advantage by gaining after the weigh in. Gotti was nortorius for this. Example your walk around weight is say 160lbs, but in order to fight or compete in the 147 lb weight class he loses 13 lbs making the weight and gaining it after and  possibly more giving a big advantage to himself. So whatever it be 120, 130, 140 200, whatever the contract says, you must come in at that weight.

Answer 2

gman is correct..............the weights that you hear listed for each boxing weight class are "weight limits"...........kinda like the speed limit in driving..............you can go slower than it but you just can't go higher than it.............(yes i realize nobody drives the speed limit.........it's just an example).    This is a very simplified explanation but I think it get's the point across effectively.

Answer 3

It is not mandatory to gain weight when fighting up.  The best example of that was Henry Armstrong who held the lightweight and welterweight titles at the same time.  Armstrong fought at 135lbs when he won the welterweight title.  Conn weighed 174 lbs. when he fought Louis.  Mickey Walker often fought out of his weight class fighting much heavier men than himself.  You just don't see fighters today doing this.  There probably are some who could do it.