Boxing: The Official Weighing-In and Why Emotions and Gestures Matter

Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany - epa02129145 WBO cruiserweight world champion German Juergen Braehmer (L), of boxing team Universum-Boxstall Hamburg and contender Mariano Nicolas Plotinsky (R) from Argentina pose for photographers during the official weighing-in for the Universum Champions Night in Hamburg, Germany, 23 April 2010.

Since the beginning of boxing there has been betting and the official weigh-in was an opportunity to gauge each fighter and the gamblers wanted to get a "read' on the opponents before placing their bets. They are looking for fear, dominance, etc.

We have become more civilized over time, and some of the weigh-ins are strictly business and I have actually seen smiles on the faces of boxers, which would have been unheard of 10-20 years ago.

Like two dogs meeting on the street they need to feel each other out and assert their dominance over their opponent, and this often would lead to neither backing down. It was a huge mind game, where the results of the weigh-in could actually mentally give one boxer an advantage.



A composite photo showing WBA and WIBF flyweight world champion Susianna Kentikian (L) of boxing team 'Universum-Boxstall Hamburg', and Nadia Raoui posing for photographers during the official weighing-in for the Universum Champions Night in Hamburg, Germany, 23 April 2010. Kentikian and Raoui will fight for the combined WIBF-, WBA- and WBO flyweight titles at 'Alsterdorfer Sporthalle' in Hamburg on 24 April 2010.◦

Boxing: The Official Weighing-In and Why Emotions and Gestures Matter