Choosing a weight class

[surge_factor]

I apologize if this has been done before, but I couldn't really find much in searching or in the FAQ, so I would appreciate any and all help.

I'm going to be starting boxing training soon with aspirations of going into the amateurs. However, although I've trained in kickboxing and TKD for over a decade, I've never really taken part in weightclass oriented competitions other than really broadly defined weight categories or age brackets.

Anyways, I was wondering if there's a good formula or set of things to consider when choosing what weightclass to fight in? Typically, I weigh around 170-175 and stand 6 feet but when I really get down to training I tend to trim down to around 165 or so; I'm mainly wondering what considerations should go into choosing a weightclass (i.e. loss of power at lower/higher weights etc.) considering I'm basically a noob to weight cutting and classes in general. Thanks for any help in advance guys, I would love to hear any and all insights.

[justinnnn]

Ive been wondering the same thing, Im about 170-180 lbs and being that that is my natural weight ive been wondering if fighting at this weight would be good, or if I should aim for 155.

[Chris Kimmerly]

You should try aiming for a weight class where you would come in at the top of the class.

For example you stated that you walk around at 170-175 that puts you in most orgs easily at middle weight with room to spare 170.1-185.

However when you train you say you drop down to 165. That would put you in the top range of Welter weight. 155.1-170

My suggestion is to find where you feel the best at and give it a shot. You may find that your need to change after a few fights.

[NickDanzinger]

Boxing has many weight classes, yes? If you're amateur fighting it's best to go into a weight class that is at most 5 lbs below you're walking weight. In boxing there are 168 lbs and 160 lbs classes, you're best bet is to pick one of those.

If you ever eventually go professional you can always try dropping to 154 lbs for boxing or 155 for MMA.

For your first fight, if you get a relatively inexperienced fighter, I'd suggest just going for 168 lbs because you can make it by just taking a big shit in the morning. You won't have to feel any cutter's fatigue or anything.

[WAREAGLE]

it all depends on the weight classes for your given competition. Find that out and get back to us. I cut to 170 and fight in the 155 to 170 weight class for XKO. It really all depends on what classes are available and what weight you perform best at.

[surge_factor]

Thanks for all the help guys, I appreciate it a lot.

[JamC]

if you can cut weight good, or lose weight you can aim for 155lbs

[ForeverFiending]

I've been wondering the same thing, and this is how I figured it out:

I took my current weight

Had my fitness professor estimate my body fat percentage with CALLIPERS, because the scales are crap, and my professor has been doing this for years, so her estimate has to be pretty darn accurate.

I multiplied my fat percentage by my body weight

This tells me how many pounds of me is fat.

I then decide what percentage of fat I want to be conditioned. I am a woman, so I need to be no lower than 8%, but shouldn't be higher than 12% if I want to be in my best shape. I decided closer to 12%, because research shows that there is no signifigant difference in the performance of females athletes at 8% and those of 12% and I want the "extra" for reserved energy. I believe men are between 4%-8% for athletic competition... anyone know?

So... I decided how many pounds of fat I would need to lose to get there.

I also took into consideration I may gain some lbs. of muscle, and I might sweat out a couple pounds for weigh-in (but not many because I don't find it healthy)

IF I don't feel strong enough at a lower class, or I feel I can go a few lbs. lower, I will make adjustments, but I'm pretty sure where I will need to be weight-wise. Hope this helps somewhat! Good luck.