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9/27/2008: NAME THAT WEIGHT CLASS
By Charles Saunders
SONAHHR Vice-President, Boxing
In 1900, boxing boasted a grand total of seven weight classes, with one world champion in each. The divisions were, in descending order: heavyweight, middleweight, welterweight, lightweight, featherweight, bantamweight and flyweight. A new division, light-heavyweight, was created in 1903, to accommodate fighters who were too big to be middleweight, but not big enough to compete with the heavyweights. Light-heavyweight was soon recognized as the eighth “original” weight class.
Since then, the number of weight classes has ballooned, as has the number of title-sanctioning organizations. We now have 17 divisions, some separated by only a few pounds. And for each division, there are four “world” title belts, not to mention that of The Ring magazine.
The upside of this proliferation of titles is that deserving fighters who may have been denied a shot at a title in the old days now have more of a chance to win a belt and make big money defending it. The downside is that only rarely do “true” champions emerge from a gaggle of title-holders so numerous even a Jeopardy contestant couldn’t identify all of them.
The profusion of weight divisions is a cash cow for fighters and promoters alike. So we can’t expect consolidation or dropping of classes. If anything, more divisions may be on the way. Already, there’s talk of creating a “super-heavyweight” division to make ample room for the behemoths of boxing.
If the current classes are here to stay, one way to make them more palatable would be to give some of them catchier and more compelling names. Because the newer divisions had to be wedged between the original eight classes, they were called “junior-” this and “super-” that and “light-” something else. All these compound names have led to confusion, making it even more difficult for fans to identify champions. Even worse, some divisions are known by two or more names.
The exception to the naming dilemma is light-heavyweight, because that name made sense at the time the division was created, and it has historical provenance. The “original eight” classes are recognizable brands, and should not be changed. But most of the other “in-between” divisions are in dire need of updated labeling.
Here are some suggestions.
HEAVYWEIGHT
201 lb. and above
If the heavyweight division ever does split into two classes, “super-heavyweight” would not be the best choice of name for the heavier half – even though that’s what it’s now called in the amateurs. The term “heavyweight” has a mystique all its own, which should not be tampered with. If a separate division for fighters weighing more than, say, 230 lb. is established, it should be called “heavyweight.” The heavyweights should continue to be at the top of the boxing heap. The suffix “super” doesn’t really add anything to the division’s appeal.
So, if 230-plus pounds defines today’s heavyweights – and it does, as a look at any organization’s Top 10 will tell you – then a new division for fighters between 201 and 230 lb. would need to be established. What to call it? Maybe “powerweight, because punching power is the calling card of the heavier divisions.
Some smaller heavyweights can hold their own against the giants. For the most part, though, a fighter like 6-foot-7, 240 lb. Wladimir Klitschko has too many advantages for significantly smaller challengers to overcome. A “powerweight” championship would be a good alternative for fighters who can’t comfortably make the 200 lb. cruiserweight limit, but lose effectiveness when they bulk up for the big boys.
CRUISERWEIGHT
200 lb.
This division started nearly 30 years ago, with a 190 lb. limit. At first, its name was confusing because it was the one by which the British used to refer to light-heavyweights. The new division was also called “junior-heavyweight.” That term eventually fell into disuse. It’s a necessary division, especially now that the difference between heavyweights and light-heavyweights has widened to a chasm. The name “cruiserweight” is taken from a type of warship that is the next class down from a battleship. It’s an example of the right name for an “in-between” division, and there’s no need to change it. In this case, the authorities got it right the first time.
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT
168 lb.
Skipping over the light-heavies (175 lb.), we come to our first division in need to a name change. Thankfully, all the alphabet groups use the same name for the class. But it still needs a more evocative label. “Pantherweight” would be an interesting name. After all, a panther isn’t as big as a lion or tiger, but it can do just as much damage.
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT
154 lb.
Again, we skip an original class, the 160 lb. middleweights – a perfect name, by the way. The 154 lb. division is also known as “super-welterweight” and “light-middleweight.” That’s too many names, and they’re all a mouthful. The division needs a shorter name; a name that packs a punch. “Cloutweight” fills that bill.
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT
140 lb.
Another class with too many names, this one is also called “super-lightweight” and “light-welterweight.” It was one of the first “junior” divisions, created to fill the gap between welterweight (147 lb.) and lightweight (135 lb.). It took two tries to get the division going, and now it’s a mainstay. It shouldn’t be “junior” anything. So, what should it be called now? Let’s try “cobraweight,” after the deadly hooded serpent that strikes fast and hard.
JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT
130 lb.
This division, also known as “super-featherweight,” has a history similar to that of junior-welter. It was meant to be a bridge between lightweight and featherweight (126 lb.). It also took two tries to become established. An appropriate name for it would be “flashweight,” in honor of one of its greatest champions: Gabriel “Flash” Elorde.
JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT
122 lb.
Also called “super-bantamweight,” this is one of the many divisions that now crowd the low-weight district. Since it ranks above bantamweight (118 lb.), which is named after a rooster, a more formidable bird should define this class. “Falconweight” fits the bill.
JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHT
115 lb.
This class is also known as “super-flyweight.” Taking a cue from junior-featherweight, let’s call this division “hornet-weight,” because even though its denizens are small, they can sting 112 lb. flyweights.
JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT
108 lb.
Also called “light-flyweight,” this division is perfect for a name from the past. Back when there were only seven divisions, flyweight was sometimes called “paperweight.” That name eventually fell out of use. But it should be revived for this modern class.
STRAWWEIGHT
105 lb.
The littlest division is also called “mini-flyweight” and “minimum-weight.” It deserves better. One alternative would be “atomweight,” in honor of Jimmy “The Mighty Atom” Wilde, an early flyweight champion who weighed only a little more than 100 lb., but is considered one of the hardest pound-for-pound punchers of all time.
SUMMARY
Heavyweight
231 lb. and above
Powerweight
230 lb.
Cruiserweight
200 lb.
Light-heavyweight
175 lb.
Pantherweight
168 lb.
Middleweight
160 lb.
Cloutweight
154 lb.
Welterweight
147 lb.
Cobraweight
140 lb.
Lightweight
135 lb.
Flashweight
130 lb.
Featherweight
126 lb.
Falconweight
122 lb.
Bantamweight
118 lb.
Hornetweight
115 lb.
Flyweight
112 lb.
Paperweight
108 lb.
Atomweight
105 lb.
Now, you’re probably wondering whether the above is tongue-in-cheek. Only slightly. Even so, the least boxing authorities can do is agree on one name per weight class, to help ease the confusion.
9/27/2008: NCAA CHAMPION HOCKEY COACH HARKNESS DIES AT 89
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) September 19th - Ned Harkness, who coached NCAA champion hockey teams as well as lacrosse, has died. He was 89. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute said Harkness, who won NCAA championships in 1954 with RPI and in 1967 and 1970 with Cornell University, died in Rochester on Friday on his 89th birthday. He had recently suffered a stroke. Born in Ottawa, Harkness also coached the NHL's Detroit Red Wings and was the first president and CEO of the New York Olympic Regional Development Authority. "Inside College Hockey" lists Harkness fifth among the 16 best college hockey coaches of all time, noting he was one of two to win NCAA championships at different schools. Harkness coached at RPI from 1949-63, at Cornell from 1963-70, and at RPI rival Union College from 1975-77.
9/27/2008: HOCKEY WRITER JACK FALLA DIES AT 62
BOSTON (AP) September 15th - Jack Falla, a hockey writer and communications professor at Boston University, has died. The university says Falla, of Natick, died of a heart attack Sunday while in Maine with his family. He was 62. Falla covered the NHL for Sports Illustrated in the 1980s and also wrote several books on hockey, including "Open Ice: Reflections and Confession of a Hockey Lifer," which was released this month. At BU, he taught sports writing and sports communications. Lou Ureneck, chairman of BU's journalism department, said Falla was popular with students because of his passion for sports and teaching.
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