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04/15/2005 Archived Entry: "WAYNE TYLER’S MIRACLE"
WAYNE TYLER’S MIRACLE
By Katherine Dunn
OK, it’s no cure for cancer or parting of the Red Sea, but it was boxer Wayne Tyler’s version of walking on water. On Friday, April 8, Tyler shucked down to his skivvies and weighed in at 196 lbs, qualifying for his contracted heavyweight match the following day. On Saturday, April 9, around 2 hours before the fight card started at the Swinomish Northern Lights Casino, Tyler weighed in at 180 lbs. He lost 16 pounds in one day. Then he won the decision in his four round bout with 208 lb Channin O’Connor that night.
In a sport where outrageous gains between the weigh-in and the match are a familiar problem, the gossip vine was popping with questions over exactly how that happened. When the CBZ called to ask, Tyler explained.
It seems the 39 year-old Tyler normally fights at light heavy. He’s 6’3" and walks around at 180 or so. Tyler says when he accepted the bout against heavyweight Channin O’Connor and signed a contract with a designated weight of 201+ lbs, he thought he could stay fully dressed at the weigh in. Tyler had seen O’Connor and thought he could take him. "Wearing clothes," he says, "I could have added a lot of weight." When he found out he’d have to strip, Tyler says, "I ate a lot and drank a lot of water." A gallon of water weighs 8.33 pounds, so Tyler took in close to two gallons. What’s most impressive is that he held on to it through the weigh in. He admits it was not comfortable. "And I had to pee all night long."Tyler was 0-2 going into this match and won his first pro victory. O’Connor was 2-0 stepping in, and suffered his first loss.
Normally Tyler’s little shenanigan would not have come to light. But for several months the Washington Department of Licensing, which regulates boxing in the state, has been using a weigh-in policy recommended by the Association of Boxing Commissions. If the weigh-in is more than 12 hours before the show, the boxers must weigh in again 2 hours before the event begins. At the second weigh-in they must not be more than 10 pounds over their contract weight. They are allowed to lose no more than 2 lbs at this second weigh-in. If they can’t make the weight the bout is either scratched or the contract may be re-written with the consent of both parties. This policy is directly aimed at preventing the kind of weight differences that have proven so dangerous in instances such as the Arturo Gatti-Joey Gamache bout.For his part, Wayne Tyler says if he ever goes up to heavyweight again, he’ll do it the slow way.
((This Saturday, April 9 card at the Sinomish Northern Lights Casino in Anacortes, WA had good bouts and a remarkable winning performance by former Olympian David Jackson in the main event. For an excellent report on all the bouts, see Sam DiTusa’s story on fightnews.com))
Replies: 1 Comment made on this article
Since weigh-ins are supposed to help reduce mismatches...the more restrictions on 20 pound gains the better. Help make fights between two equals and let their fighting skills and heart determine the winners.
Posted by mdarcy@cablespeed.com">Mike Darcy @ 04/16/2005 01:02 PM EST
