Boxing Weight Classes Explained | Sanabul

The need to create weight divisions other than heavyweight arose because it was unfair that smaller contestants had a harder time due to having less muscle mass. Some of these new classes originated in America, while others were created by Great Britain. The history of boxing is a complicated and fascinating one. Boxing has been around for centuries, but in 2015 it had an overhaul with the addition of more weight classes to accommodate its growing popularity as well as honor some traditions that were long since forgotten or abandoned by tradition alone.

What we know now are 17 different classes ranging from super lightweight all the way up through light heavyweight - and everything between! These names have historical significance too; they're named after great fighters like Muhammad Ali who helped establish these divisions back when he was winning world titles in two classes at once.

minimumweight, 105 pounds (48 kg) light flyweight, 108 pounds (49 kg) flyweight, 112 pounds (51 kg) super flyweight, 115 pounds (52 kg) bantamweight, 118 pounds (53.5 kg) super bantamweight, 122 pounds (55 kg) featherweight, 126 pounds (57 kg) super featherweight, 130 pounds (59 kg) lightweight, 135 pounds (61 kg) super lightweight, 140 pounds (63.5 kg) welterweight, 147 pounds (67 kg) super welterweight, 154 pounds (70 kg) middleweight, 160 pounds (72.5 kg) super middleweight, 168 pounds (76 kg) light heavyweight, 175 pounds (79 kg) cruiserweight, 200 pounds (91 kg) heavyweight, unlimited

All world and national title fights must follow strict weight limits, boxers often get the chance to weigh in the day before their bout. If your fighter is too heavy for their bout, they'll normally only have until morning of fight (or as close as possible) to make up those pounds or else lose some of their pay if it's already been confirmed that you're over-the limit for this particular match. In Olympic-style amateur boxing the weight divisions for men are:

light flyweight, not more than 108 pounds (49 kg) flyweight, 115 pounds (52 kg) bantamweight, 123 pounds (56 kg) lightweight, 132 pounds (60 kg) light welterweight, 141 pounds (64 kg) welterweight, 152 pounds (69 kg) middleweight, 165 pounds (75 kg) light heavyweight, 178 pounds (81 kg) heavyweight, 201 pounds (91 kg) super heavyweight, any weight over 201 pounds (91 kg)

There is no universal agreement on weight divisions within women’s professional boxing, but amateur weight divisions are:

flyweight, not more than 106 pounds (48 kg) bantamweight, 112 pounds (51 kg) featherweight, 119 pounds (54 kg) lightweight, 126 pounds (57 kg) light welterweight, 132 pounds (60 kg) welterweight, 141 pounds (64 kg) middleweight, 152 pounds (69 kg) light heavyweight, 165 pounds (75 kg) heavyweight, 179 pounds (81 kg) super heavyweight, any weight over 179 pounds (81 kg)

Women’s Olympic boxing is restricted to just three weight classes:

flyweight, 106 to 112 pounds (48 to 51 kg) lightweight, 123 to 132 pounds (56 to 60 kg) middleweight, 152 to 165 pounds (69 to 75 kg)