Sometimes boxers take extreme measures to cut weight. One of the ways fighters lose weight is by dehydrating themselves. Although the method helps in rapid weight loss, it is quite dangerous. Often fighters, a day before the weigh-ins, might stop drinking water altogether, submerge themselves in warm salt baths for long periods of time, and work out continuously through the night. This robs the body of an immense amount of water. However, discontinuity in the body’s day-to-day water intake can take a toll on the body.

On that note, the boxing coach for the Team USA for the Paris Olympics, Christine Lopez has advised against “old school” ways of cutting weight. She claimed that methods directed towards losing water weight should be avoided as much as possible as it is “dangerous” and can lead to “brain damage”.

“The “old school” ways of cutting weight , dangerous. I dare say most deaths ,brain damage is because of no water around the brain . (disclaimer) i’m no expert , i know experts. water should not be cut,” Lopez wrote on X.

Rather, Christine Lopez’s advice to boxers is to hire a nutritionist who will make the necessary changes in the diet to reduce weight safely and effectively. “Get a nutritionist, if not able, take the time to do research,” she further stated.

Apart from dehydration, the other desperate techniques to lose weight like enduring long periods in saunas, or hitting the heavy bag wearing extra layers of clothing, should only be considered a last-ditch effort. Instead, making a healthy diet plan —avoiding carbs, and salts, and reducing calories months before a fight takes place could be considered a safe alternative.

Meanwhile, many fighters find it difficult to fight below their natural weight class. A prime example of such a case is Ryan Garcia.

You can fool me once, but you can’t fool me twice!

In his last fight against Devin Haney, ‘King Ry’ failed to make weight, missing the mark by 3.2 pounds for the super lightweight title fight at 14o pounds. As a result, Ryan Garcia had to forfeit the title claim for Haney’s WBC title even if he won the match. Nonetheless, after defeating Haney on April 20, which was later turned into “no contest” after getting caught for consuming the banned substance Ostarine, Ryan Garcia told the media, “I can’t go to 140. Technically I’ve never fought at 140. My body literally can’t go below 143, it’s impossible. I’ve tried every technique.”

In fact, prior to the Haney fight, Garcia fought Davis at 136 pound-catchweight, and an additional rehydration clause included in their fight contract for 10 pounds meant it left Ryan Garcia dehydrated and weak during his fight against the Baltimore native. This is the case with many boxers who fight below their normal weight and then go to extreme measures to dehydrate themselves before the weigh-ins. This not only leaves them weaker but also makes them susceptible to long-term damage, especially in case they are hit during their fight.

Nonetheless, do you agree with Olympic boxing coach Christine Lopez’s take on losing water weight? Let us know in the comment section below.