If you follow boxing or are getting into the sport, it might be useful to find out what a rehydration clause is and what its meaning is. The term has been around for a while and is used in fight contracts to ensure fairness and an equal playing field. Let’s see why this clause exists, how it impacts each fight and what famous fights have been impacted by it.
What is a rehydration clause in boxing?
The rehydration clause is an agreement between boxers, made pre-fight, to prevent any fighter from gaining too much weight after the official weigh-in.
While weight cuts are essential to boxing, rehydration clauses have been intensely used, especially in high-profile fights, to ensure competition fairness.
Since most, even the best UK boxers, cut weight by sweating and water restriction, they can lose 7-15 pounds in a few days before the weigh-in. However, after making the weigh-in, boxers can rehydrate, regaining much of the weight they lost and going into the fight with an advantage.
This clause simply sets limits on how much weight a fighter can regain.
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How does a rehydration clause impact a fighter?
While the rehydration clause in boxing ensures a fairer competitive balance, it must be said that this is a double-edged sword. In some cases, a rehydration clause can harm a fighter’s performance.
If restricted by these clauses, even the best UK women boxers or athletes from other countries can’t rehydrate to the extreme and must watch their body weight with utmost precision. If a fighter is used to gaining a lot of water weight after the weigh-in, this puts them out of their comfort zone and can limit performance by reducing punching power and overall strength.
Most famous & recent fights with a rehydration clause
Canelo Alvarez vs. Danny Jacobs
The famous Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez has used rehydration clauses in some of his fights. Canelo usually activated such clauses against bigger opponents to ensure a fair matchup. One of the more notable examples was his fight against Danny Jacobs. The American had a history of entering the ring with a higher weight but couldn’t do so this time.
Some could argue that this was a significant reason that Canelo won. Albeit boxing betting markets perceived him as a heavy favourite, the bout went the distance and was only won via UD. If not for the clause – who knows…
Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia
One more example is Gervonta Davis vs Ryan Garcia in 2023. Tank won by KO in the 7th round, and as is customary with his fights, he had a 10lb rehydration clause included in the fight contract. Before the fight, both boxers were lossless.
FAQ
What are the benefits of a rehydration clause?
First, a rehydration clause promotes fairness by preventing weight disparities. Second, they enhance safety by preventing health risks associated with extreme weight cuts and weight gains that boxers sometimes risk with.
Are rehydration clauses part of every fight agreement?
No, rehydration clauses are not standard or mandatory in fight contracts. They are typically negotiated individually. More often than not, such clauses are found in high-profile bout contracts. One fighter usually has more to gain from such a clause.
Are rehydration clauses likely to change in the future?
Probably not, but there are discussions on how to standardize their application and adjust terms to prevent health risks.
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