In boxing and wrestling, a match or competition where fighters of different weight classes are allowed to compete together without the usual weight restrictions.
From 'catch' + 'weight,' meaning fighters 'catch' each other at whatever weight they happen to be. This term emerged in professional wrestling and boxing in the early 20th century.
Catchweight matches are controversial in sports because they level the traditional rule-based playing field—a heavyweight can dominate a lighter opponent. Yet catchweight wrestling shows that sometimes the most exciting matches come when normal rules get suspended.
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