Reply #2: Heavy Weigh-In

[H2O Man]

Between the two, tonight there will be 526 pounds in the ring. Jameel McCline came in at 271 lbs, and Chris Arreola at 255 lbs.

McCline has entered the ring at approximately this weight a number of times. In fact, in his fight against Chris Byrd, in which he lost a highly disputed decision, he was 270.

Arreola has come in heavier before, and although he won, he looked bad both times. He may well win again tonight, but if he expects to compete against either of the Klitschko brothers -- or, for that matter, win the respecty of the boxing community -- he needs to show respect for the sport, and shed the fat. He has no business coming into the ring at anything over 240 lbs. This young man is talented and entertaining, but he is not so good that he can take anything for granted. The only possible exception to that rule is that it is safe to say the boxing community is not going to fully embrace a fighter who lacks the motivation to fully prepare for a fight. Perhaps he should study the careers of the overweight heavyweights of the 1980s, guys like Greg Page and Tony Tubbs, who had plenty of talent, but were lazy and never came close to fulfilling their potential.