Weight class (boxing)

In boxing, a weight class is a measurement weight range for boxers. The lower limit of a weight class is equal to the upper weight limit of the class below it. The top class, with no upper limit, is called heavyweight in professional boxing and super heavyweight in amateur boxing. A boxing match is usually scheduled for a fixed weight class, and each boxer's weight must not exceed the upper limit. Although professional boxers may fight above their weight class, an amateur boxer's weight must not fall below the lower limit. A nonstandard weight limit is called a catchweight.

Tables

· History › Glamour divisions

Heavyweight

Divisions

Heavyweight

Weights

≥200 lb (90.7 kg)

Years established

+160 lb (72.6 kg) in 1738 by Broughton's Rules; established officially at +12 st (168.0 lb; 76.2 kg) in 1909 by National Sporting Club of London (NSC); +175 lb (79.4 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law; +190 lb (86.2 kg) in 1979 and finally +200 lb (90.7 kg) in 2003

Light heavyweight

Divisions

Light heavyweight

Weights

168–175 lb (76.2–79.4 kg)

Years established

Established officially at 12 st (168.0 lb; 76.2 kg) in 1909 by NSC and 175 lb (79.4 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law

Middleweight

Divisions

Middleweight

Weights

154–160 lb (69.9–72.6 kg)

Years established

Fights dating back to 1840s; established officially at 11 st (154.0 lb; 69.9 kg) in 1909 by NSC and 160 lb (72.6 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law

Welterweight

Divisions

Welterweight

Weights

140–147 lb (63.5–66.7 kg)

Years established

145 lb (65.8 kg) in 1889; established officially at 10 st (140.0 lb; 63.5 kg) in 1909 by NSC and 147 lb (66.7 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law

Lightweight

Divisions

Lightweight

Weights

130–135 lb (59.0–61.2 kg)

Years established

160 lb (72 .mw- .mw- .mw- 9+1⁄2 st (133.0 lb; 60.3 kg) in 1909 by NSC and 135 lb (61.2 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law

Featherweight

Divisions

Featherweight

Weights

122–126 lb (55.3–57.2 kg)

Years established

118 lb (53.5 kg) in 1860 by London Prize Ring Rules; 110 lb (49.9 kg) and 115 lb (52.2 kg) in 1889; established officially at 9 st (126.0 lb; 57.2 kg) in 1909 by NSC and standardized at 126 lb (57.2 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law

Bantamweight

Divisions

Bantamweight

Weights

115–118 lb (52.2–53.5 kg)

Years established

105 lb (47.6 kg) in 1860 by London Prize Ring Rules; 116 lb (52.6 kg) in 1898; established officially at 8+1⁄2 st (119.0 lb; 54.0 kg) in 1909 by NSC and 118 lb (53.5 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law

Flyweight

Divisions

Flyweight

Weights

108–112 lb (49.0–50.8 kg)

Years established

Established officially at 8 st (112.0 lb; 50.8 kg) in 1909 by NSC and standardized at 112 lb (50.8 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law

Divisions	Weights	Years established
Heavyweight	≥200 lb (90.7 kg)	kg) in 1738 by Broughton's Rules; established officially at +12 st (168.0 lb; 76.2 kg) in 1909 by National Sporting Club of London (NSC); +175 lb (79.4 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law; +190 lb (86.2 kg) in 1979 and finally +200 lb (90.7 kg) in 2003
Light heavyweight	168–175 lb (76.2–79.4 kg)	Established officially at 12 st (168.0 lb; 76.2 kg) in 1909 by NSC and 175 lb (79.4 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law
Middleweight	154–160 lb (69.9–72.6 kg)	Fights dating back to 1840s; established officially at 11 st (154.0 lb; 69.9 kg) in 1909 by NSC and 160 lb (72.6 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law
Welterweight	140–147 lb (63.5–66.7 kg)	kg) in 1889; established officially at 10 st (140.0 lb; 63.5 kg) in 1909 by NSC and 147 lb (66.7 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law
Lightweight	130–135 lb (59.0–61.2 kg)	kg) in 1909 by NSC and 135 lb (61.2 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law
Featherweight	122–126 lb (55.3–57.2 kg)	kg) in 1860 by London Prize Ring Rules; 110 lb (49.9 kg) and 115 lb (52.2 kg) in 1889; established officially at 9 st (126.0 lb; 57.2 kg) in 1909 by NSC and standardized at 126 lb (57.2 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law
Bantamweight	115–118 lb (52.2–53.5 kg)	kg) in 1860 by London Prize Ring Rules; 116 lb (52.6 kg) in 1898; established officially at 8+1⁄2 st (119.0 lb; 54.0 kg) in 1909 by NSC and 118 lb (53.5 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law
Flyweight	108–112 lb (49.0–50.8 kg)	Established officially at 8 st (112.0 lb; 50.8 kg) in 1909 by NSC and standardized at 112 lb (50.8 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law

· History › Tweener divisions

Bridgerweight

Col 1

Bridgerweight

Weights

200–224 lb (90.7 - 101.6 kg)

Years establishment

Established and recognised by the WBC in 2020

Cruiserweight

Col 1

Cruiserweight

Weights

175–200 lb (79.4 - 90.7 kg)

Years establishment

190 lb (86.2 kg) in 1979; changed to 200 lb (90.7 kg) in 2003

Super middleweight

Col 1

Super middleweight

Weights

160–168 lb (72.6 - 76.2 kg)

Years establishment

Established and recognized in 1967–1988

Light middleweight

Col 1

Light middleweight

Weights

147–154 lb (66.7 - 69.9 kg)

Years establishment

Established in 1920 by Walker Law; recognized in 1962

Light welterweight

Col 1

Light welterweight

Weights

135–140 lb (61.2 - 63.5 kg)

Years establishment

Established officially at 140 lb (63.5 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law; recognized in 1959

Super featherweight

Col 1

Super featherweight

Weights

126–130 lb (57.2 - 59 kg)

Years establishment

Established at 130 lb (59 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law; recognized in 1959

Super bantamweight

Col 1

Super bantamweight

Weights

118–122 lb (53.5 - 55.3 kg)

Years establishment

Established at 122 lb (55.3 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law; recognized in 1976

Super flyweight

Col 1

Super flyweight

Weights

112–115 lb (50.8 - 52.2 kg)

Years establishment

Established at 115 lb (52.2 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law; recognized in 1980

Light flyweight

Col 1

Light flyweight

Weights

105–108 lb (47.6 - 49 kg)

Years establishment

Established at 108 lb (49 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law; recognized in 1975

Strawweight

Col 1

Strawweight

Weights

105 lb (47.6 kg)

Years establishment

Recognized in 1987

	Weights	Years establishment
Bridgerweight	200–224 lb (90.7 - 101.6 kg)	Established and recognised by the WBC in 2020
Cruiserweight	175–200 lb (79.4 - 90.7 kg)	kg) in 1979; changed to 200 lb (90.7 kg) in 2003
Super middleweight	160–168 lb (72.6 - 76.2 kg)	Established and recognized in 1967–1988
Light middleweight	147–154 lb (66.7 - 69.9 kg)	Established in 1920 by Walker Law; recognized in 1962
Light welterweight	135–140 lb (61.2 - 63.5 kg)	Established officially at 140 lb (63.5 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law; recognized in 1959
Super featherweight	126–130 lb (57.2 - 59 kg)	Established at 130 lb (59 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law; recognized in 1959
Super bantamweight	118–122 lb (53.5 - 55.3 kg)	Established at 122 lb (55.3 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law; recognized in 1976
Super flyweight	112–115 lb (50.8 - 52.2 kg)	Established at 115 lb (52.2 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law; recognized in 1980
Light flyweight	105–108 lb (47.6 - 49 kg)	Established at 108 lb (49 kg) in 1920 by Walker Law; recognized in 1975
Strawweight	105 lb (47.6 kg)	Recognized in 1987

· Professional boxing

1884

Continuous since

1884

Weight limit

Unlimited

WBA

Heavyweight

2020

Continuous since

2020

Weight limit

224 lb (101.6 kg; 16 st 0 lb)

WBA

Bridgerweight

WBC

–

1980

Continuous since

1980

Weight limit

200 lb (90.7 kg; 14 st 4.0 lb)

WBA

Cruiserweight

WBC

Junior heavyweight

1913

Continuous since

1913

Weight limit

175 lb (79.4 kg; 12 st 7.0 lb)

WBA

Light heavyweight

1984

Continuous since

1984

Weight limit

168 lb (76.2 kg; 12 st 0 lb)

WBA

Super middleweight

1884

Continuous since

1884

Weight limit

160 lb (72.6 kg; 11 st 6.0 lb)

WBA

Middleweight

1962

Continuous since

1962

Weight limit

154 lb (69.9 kg; 11 st 0 lb)

WBA

Super welterweight

WBC

Junior middleweight

1914

Continuous since

1914

Weight limit

147 lb (66.7 kg; 10 st 7.0 lb)

WBA

Welterweight

1959

Continuous since

1959

Weight limit

140 lb (63.5 kg; 10 st 0 lb)

WBA

Super lightweight

WBC

Junior welterweight

1886

Continuous since

1886

Weight limit

135 lb (61.2 kg; 9 st 9.0 lb)

WBA

Lightweight

1959

Continuous since

1959

Weight limit

130 lb (59.0 kg; 9 st 4.0 lb)

WBA

Super featherweight

WBC

Junior lightweight

1889

Continuous since

1889

Weight limit

126 lb (57.2 kg; 9 st 0 lb)

WBA

Featherweight

1976

Continuous since

1976

Weight limit

122 lb (55.3 kg; 8 st 10.0 lb)

WBA

Super bantamweight

WBC

Junior featherweight

1894

Continuous since

1894

Weight limit

118 lb (53.5 kg; 8 st 6.0 lb)

WBA

Bantamweight

1980

Continuous since

1980

Weight limit

115 lb (52.2 kg; 8 st 3.0 lb)

WBA

Super flyweight

WBC

Junior bantamweight

1911

Continuous since

1911

Weight limit

112 lb (50.8 kg; 8 st 0 lb)

WBA

Flyweight

1975

Continuous since

1975

Weight limit

108 lb (49.0 kg; 7 st 10.0 lb)

WBA

Light flyweight

WBC

Junior flyweight

1987

Continuous since

1987

Weight limit

105 lb (47.6 kg; 7 st 7.0 lb)

WBA

Minimumweight

WBC

Strawweight

BoxRec

Mini flyweight

2007

Continuous since

2007

Weight limit

102 lb (46.3 kg; 7 st 4.0 lb)

WBA

Light minimumweight

WBC

Atomweight

BoxRec

Junior mini flyweight

The Ring

Atomweight

Continuous since	Weight limit	WBA	WBC	BoxRec	The Ring	IBF	WBO
1884	Unlimited	Heavyweight
2020	224 lb (101.6 kg; 16 st 0 lb)	Bridgerweight		–
1980	200 lb (90.7 kg; 14 st 4.0 lb)	Cruiserweight					Junior heavyweight
1913	175 lb (79.4 kg; 12 st 7.0 lb)	Light heavyweight
1984	168 lb (76.2 kg; 12 st 0 lb)	Super middleweight
1884	160 lb (72.6 kg; 11 st 6.0 lb)	Middleweight
1962	154 lb (69.9 kg; 11 st 0 lb)	Super welterweight			Junior middleweight
1914	147 lb (66.7 kg; 10 st 7.0 lb)	Welterweight
1959	140 lb (63.5 kg; 10 st 0 lb)	Super lightweight			Junior welterweight
1886	135 lb (61.2 kg; 9 st 9.0 lb)	Lightweight
1959	130 lb (59.0 kg; 9 st 4.0 lb)	Super featherweight			Junior lightweight
1889	126 lb (57.2 kg; 9 st 0 lb)	Featherweight
1976	122 lb (55.3 kg; 8 st 10.0 lb)	Super bantamweight			Junior featherweight
1894	118 lb (53.5 kg; 8 st 6.0 lb)	Bantamweight
1980	115 lb (52.2 kg; 8 st 3.0 lb)	Super flyweight			Junior bantamweight
1911	112 lb (50.8 kg; 8 st 0 lb)	Flyweight
1975	108 lb (49.0 kg; 7 st 10.0 lb)	Light flyweight			Junior flyweight
1987	105 lb (47.6 kg; 7 st 7.0 lb)	Minimumweight	Strawweight			Mini flyweight
2007	102 lb (46.3 kg; 7 st 4.0 lb)	Light minimumweight	Atomweight			Junior mini flyweight	Atomweight

· Amateur boxing

Men

Class name

Men

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

Women

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

Junior

Super heavyweight

Class name

Super heavyweight

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

Unlimited

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

—

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

—

Heavyweight

Class name

Heavyweight

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

92 kg (202.8 lb; 14.5 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

Unlimited

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

Unlimited

Cruiserweight

Class name

Cruiserweight

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

86 kg (189.6 lb; 13.5 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

—

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

—

Light heavyweight

Class name

Light heavyweight

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

80 kg (176.4 lb; 12.6 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

81 kg (178.6 lb; 12.8 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

80 kg (176.4 lb; 12.6 st)

Middleweight

Class name

Middleweight

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

75 kg (165.3 lb; 11.8 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

75 kg (165.3 lb; 11.8 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

75 kg (165.3 lb; 11.8 st)

Light middleweight

Class name

Light middleweight

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

71 kg (156.5 lb; 11.2 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

70 kg (154.3 lb; 11.0 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

70 kg (154.3 lb; 11.0 st)

Welterweight

Class name

Welterweight

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

67 kg (147.7 lb; 10.6 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

66 kg (145.5 lb; 10.4 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

66 kg (145.5 lb; 10.4 st)

Light welterweight

Class name

Light welterweight

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

63.5 kg (140.0 lb; 10.0 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

63 kg (138.9 lb; 9.9 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

63 kg (138.9 lb; 9.9 st)

Lightweight

Class name

Lightweight

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

60 kg (132.3 lb; 9.4 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

60 kg (132.3 lb; 9.4 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

60 kg (132.3 lb; 9.4 st)

Featherweight

Class name

Featherweight

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

57 kg (125.7 lb; 9.0 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

57.5 kg (126.8 lb; 9.1 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

57 kg (125.7 lb; 9.0 st)

Bantamweight

Class name

Bantamweight

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

54 kg (119.0 lb; 8.5 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

55 kg (121.3 lb; 8.7 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

54 kg (119.0 lb; 8.5 st)

Light bantamweight

Class name

Light bantamweight

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

—

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

—

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

52 kg (114.6 lb; 8.2 st)

Flyweight

Class name

Flyweight

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

51 kg (112.4 lb; 8.0 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

52.5 kg (115.7 lb; 8.3 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

50 kg (110.2 lb; 7.9 st)

Light flyweight

Class name

Light flyweight

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

—

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

50 kg (110.2 lb; 7.9 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

48 kg (105.8 lb; 7.6 st)

Pinweight

Class name

Pinweight

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

46–48 kg (101.4–105.8 lb; 7.2–7.6 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

45–47.5 kg (99.2–104.7 lb; 7.1–7.5 st)

Weight class limit (kg/lbs)

44–46 kg (97.0–101.4 lb; 6.9–7.2 st)

Class name	Weight class limit (kg/lbs)
Class name	Men	Women	Junior
Super heavyweight	Unlimited	—	—
Heavyweight	92 kg (202.8 lb; 14.5 st)	Unlimited	Unlimited
Cruiserweight	86 kg (189.6 lb; 13.5 st)	—	—
Light heavyweight	80 kg (176.4 lb; 12.6 st)	81 kg (178.6 lb; 12.8 st)	80 kg (176.4 lb; 12.6 st)
Middleweight	75 kg (165.3 lb; 11.8 st)	75 kg (165.3 lb; 11.8 st)	75 kg (165.3 lb; 11.8 st)
Light middleweight	71 kg (156.5 lb; 11.2 st)	70 kg (154.3 lb; 11.0 st)	70 kg (154.3 lb; 11.0 st)
Welterweight	67 kg (147.7 lb; 10.6 st)	66 kg (145.5 lb; 10.4 st)	66 kg (145.5 lb; 10.4 st)
Light welterweight	63.5 kg (140.0 lb; 10.0 st)	63 kg (138.9 lb; 9.9 st)	63 kg (138.9 lb; 9.9 st)
Lightweight	60 kg (132.3 lb; 9.4 st)	60 kg (132.3 lb; 9.4 st)	60 kg (132.3 lb; 9.4 st)
Featherweight	57 kg (125.7 lb; 9.0 st)	57.5 kg (126.8 lb; 9.1 st)	57 kg (125.7 lb; 9.0 st)
Bantamweight	54 kg (119.0 lb; 8.5 st)	55 kg (121.3 lb; 8.7 st)	54 kg (119.0 lb; 8.5 st)
Light bantamweight	—	—	52 kg (114.6 lb; 8.2 st)
Flyweight	51 kg (112.4 lb; 8.0 st)	52.5 kg (115.7 lb; 8.3 st)	50 kg (110.2 lb; 7.9 st)
Light flyweight	—	50 kg (110.2 lb; 7.9 st)	48 kg (105.8 lb; 7.6 st)
Pinweight	46–48 kg (101.4–105.8 lb; 7.2–7.6 st)	45–47.5 kg (99.2–104.7 lb; 7.1–7.5 st)	44–46 kg (97.0–101.4 lb; 6.9–7.2 st)

References

AIBA, Technical & Competition Rules, §1.2 & Appendix K
Rules for IBF, USBA & Intercontinental Championship and Elimination Bouts
https://web.archive.org/web/20220826120526/http://www.ibfusbaregistration.com/ibfusba_02APR2014/images/pdfs/BoutRules.pdf
ESPN.com
http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/18941484/daniel-jacobs-blows-weight-check-win-ibf-title-vs-gennady-golovkin
AIBA, Technical & Competition Rules, §6.1
AIBA, Technical & Competition Rules, §5.1
AIBA, Technical & Competition Rules, §6
AIBA, Technical & Competition Rules, §2.2
Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. "light weight".
BleacherReport
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2746354-breaking-down-each-boxing-weight-class#slide12/
Pro Boxing-fans
https://www.proboxing-fans.com/boxing-101/weight-divisions-history/
"Miguel Cotto ready to put out his fire power"
https://web.archive.org/web/20120313235015/http://www.braggingrightscorner.com/guzmancotto111309.html
ESPN.com
https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?page=boxing/champions/index
BoxingScene.com
https://www.boxingscene.com/wbc-new-weight-division-200-224-called-bridger--153142
"WBA joins WBC in creating 18th weight class"
https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/39020519/wba-joins-wbc-adding-18th-weight-class-super-cruiserweight
Men's champions Archived 2010-01-10 at the Wayback Machine International Boxing Association
http://www.ibamensboxing.com/championsnew.htm
Iba.sport
https://www.iba.sport/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AIBA-Technical-and-Competition-Rules_20.09.21.pdf
AIBA, Technical & Competition Rules, §7.6