Boxing Weight Classes

May 17, 2012

Boxing Weight Classes 101 Boxing, also known as the sweet science, has come a long way after it was first modernized in the 1700s as prizefighting. Back then, anyone can face and fight, and there were no restrictions in weight. Nowadays, there are several weight classes that a boxer may fall in, and he’s only allowed to fight those within the same class, unless he chooses to move up or down in weight. This article will walk you through the boxing weight classes recognized at present. So if you want to learn more details about these weight classes in boxing, just read through this article and find out.

Boxing Weight Classes 101: The Heavyweights

The heavyweight is a group of boxing weight classes which are considerably the meatiest in all of boxing. These boxing weight classes may have fighters weighing 168 pounds to over 200 pounds, as the heaviest class of all has boxers who are well over 200 pounds.

The lightest in the heavyweights boxing weight classes is the light heavyweight class, where the boxers are allowed to compete when they weigh between 168 pounds to 175 pounds. Along with this restriction, the boxers are also not allowed to fight if there is a weight difference of more than 7 pounds. Next up on the heavyweight boxing weight classes is cruiserweight, which has a weight restriction of 175 pounds to 200 pounds. Just like the light heavyweight class, a weight difference requirement of at most 12 pounds is in effect. The heavyweight class is the heaviest of all boxing weight classes, where fighters who weigh over 200 pounds slug it out for fame and fortune. This class sets no limits for the differences in weight for the boxers, but they’re required to use 10-ounce gloves.

Boxing Weight Classes 101: The Middleweights

After the heavyweight boxing weight classes, the next group is called the middleweight. The middleweights have two weight classes, namely, the middleweight and the super middleweight. The boxers who fall in the middleweight class should weigh between 154 to 160 pounds with a weight difference restriction of not more than 7 pounds. On the other hand, the super middleweight has fighters that weigh somewhere between 160 to 168 pounds, with a weight difference restriction of at most 7 pounds. Both middleweight boxing weight classes are required to use 10-ounce gloves.

Boxing Weight Classes 101: Welterweights

After the middleweights come the welterweight boxing weight classes. There are two classes belonging to this group, namely, the welterweight, and the super welterweight class. For the welterweight class, boxers are required to weigh between 140 pounds to 147 pounds before they’re allowed to compete. An allowable weight difference of at most 7 pounds is in effect for the boxers, and they’re required to use the lighter 8-ounce gloves. The next welterweight class is the super welterweight, wherein the boxers weigh between 147 and 154 pounds. There is also a 7-pound maximum weight difference for the boxers, and they’re required to use 10-ounce gloves instead of the 8 oz one.

Boxing Weight Classes 101: Lightweights

After the Welterweight boxing weight classes is the lightweight group. There are two classes in this group, namely, the lightweight class, and the super lightweight class. Combined, the lightweight group can accommodate fighters that weigh at least 130 pounds and at most, 140 pounds. Specifically, the lightweight class allows boxers to fight at 130 pounds to 135 pounds, with a weight difference restriction of at most 5 pounds. On the other hand, the super lightweight class has fighters that way somewhere between 135 pounds to 140 pounds, with a 5-pound maximum weight differenced allowed. Both the lightweight boxing weight classes require their boxers to use the lighter 8-ounce gloves.

Boxing Weight Classes 101: Featherweights

After the lightweight boxing weight classes comes the featherweight group. This group has two classes, which are the featherweight and the super featherweight classes. Combined, this weight group accommodates boxers who weight between 122 pounds to 130 pounds. Specifically, the featherweight class allows boxers who weigh from 122 pounds to 126 pounds. The super featherweight on the other hand, has boxers who weigh at least 126 pounds and at most, 130 pounds. The weight difference for both the featherweight boxing weight classes is at most 3 pounds, and boxers are required to use the lighter 8-ounce gloves for every sanctioned fight.

Boxing Weight Classes 101: Bantamweights

The bantamweight has two boxing weight classes, which include the bantamweight class and the super bantamweight class. Combined, the bantamweight group can accommodate boxers who weigh between 115 to 122 pounds. Specifically, the bantamweight class allows their boxers to weight at least 115 pounds to 118 pounds. For a match to be made, the weight difference should not be more than 3 pounds, and fighters should use the lighter 8-ounce gloves. The super bantamweight class on the other hand, allows its boxers to weigh between 118 to 122 pounds, and also follows the maximum of 3 pounds weight difference for the boxers. And just like the bantamweights, the super bantamweights are also required to use 8-ounce gloves.

Boxing Weight Classes 101: Flyweights

The lightest group in boxing is not other than the flyweight. It includes four boxing weight classes, and can accommodate boxers who weigh lighter than 115 pounds. The first class is the mini flyweight. This class includes boxers who weigh 105 pounds and below, and has a weight difference restriction of up to 3 pounds only. The next is the light flyweight class, who has boxers weighing in at 105 pounds to 108 pounds. It also follows the maximum 3-pound weight difference, just like the other classes in the flyweights group. The flyweight class on the other hand, has boxers who weigh at least 108 pounds, to 112 pounds. The heaviest in the flyweight boxing weight classes is the super flyweight, wherein boxers fight at 112 pounds to 115 pounds weights. Since the flyweight is the lightest group in all boxing weight classes, they’re required to use the lighter 8-ounce gloves instead of the 10-ounce type.

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