Like most sports, boxing has evolved throughout time to maintain its status in the modern era. Boxing betting fans still enjoy watching a heavyweight title fight but it is no longer the be all and end all.
With a number of boxing divisions for the boxing weight classes, punters can get stuck into major upcoming bouts on a regular basis.
The sport has changed somewhat since the days of Muhammad Ali but most would say it has changed for the better…
Boxing Weight Classes
Nowadays, British boxing is thriving and the United Kingdom fighters are dominating some of the biggest divisions in the sport.
With the likes of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury flying the flag in the heavyweight division, boxing fans in Britain have been spoiled in recent years.
Without further ado, it is time to take a closer look at the boxing divisions. Our guide to the boxing weight classes begins with a list, sorted by the upper limits of each division.
Professional Boxing Weight Classes
The traditional seven weight class format has been replaced in modern years, with a total of 17 divisions recognised by professional boxing governing bodies as of 2015.
For those who prefer to read boxing weight classes in stone, you can find information online that will convert boxing divisions for fight fans.
- Minimumweight, 105 pounds (48kg)
- Light Flyweight, 108 pounds (49kg)
- Flyweight, 112 pounds (51kg)
- Super Flyweight, 155 pounds (52kg)
- Bantamweight, 118 pounds (53.5kg)
- Super Bantamweight, 122 pounds (55kg)
- Featherweight, 126 pounds (57kg)
- Super Featherweight, 130 pounds (59kg)
- Lightweight, 135 pounds (61kg)
- Super Lightweight, 140 pounds (63.5kg)
- Welterweight, 147 pounds (67kg)
- Super Welterweight, 154 pounds (70kg)
- Middleweight, 160 pounds (72.5kg)
- Super Middleweight, 168 pounds (76kg)
- Light Heavyweight, 175 pounds (79kg)
- Cruiserweight, 200 pounds (91kg)
- Heavyweight, unlimited
Amateur Boxing Weight Classes
The Olympic-style amateur boxing weight classes differ slightly to the professional boxing weight classes.
This is something to bear in mind when looking at boxing odds at the Olympic Games – the format of amateur boxing is very different to the professional sport. This is, however, where some of the biggest stars have made their name. It's important to familiarise yourself with the differences between amateur and professional boxing before tuning into the Olympics.
Again, the upper limits of each amateur boxing division determine the weight class for each fighter – here is a list of the amateur boxing weights:
- Light Flyweight, no more than 108 pounds (49kg)
- Flyweight, 115 pounds (52kg)
- Bantamweight, 123 pounds (56kg)
- Lightweight, 132 pounds (60kg)
- Light Welterweight, 141 pounds (64kg)
- Welterweight, 152 pounds (69kg)
- Middleweight, 165 pounds (75kg)
- Light Heavyweight, 178 pounds (81kg)
- Heavyweight, 201 pounds (91kg)
- Super Heavyweight, any weight over 201 pounds (91kg)
Difference Between Amateur And Professional Boxing Weight Classes
The first thing you’ll notice is the number of weight classes for the respective sports. In amateur boxing, there are 10 weight classes compared to 17 professional divisions.
Because of this, the amateur divisions have ‘wider’ weight limits – making it easier to make the weight without going into the next weight class up or down.
Professional boxing weight classes start with minimumweight at 105 lbs while light flyweight is the opening weight class for amateur boxers at 108 lbs.
By the same token, there is a super heavyweight division for amateurs while professional boxers over 200 lbs are still classed as heavyweights.
Boxing Weight Classes Champions
There are four major sanctioning bodies in professional boxing:
- World Boxing Association (WBA)
- World Boxing Council (WBC)
- International Boxing Federation (IBF)
- World Boxing Organisation (WBO)
American boxing magazine The Ring also award their own world title, having done so since 1922. However, the four major belts are the ones that everyone wants to win.
With that in mind, there are four world champions in each professional boxing weight class – take the heavyweight division for example.
Oleksandr Usyk is the WBA super champion, the IBF champion and the WBO champion while Tyson Fury holds the WBC heavyweight belt.
This can make things confusing for casual boxing fans but 888sport can keep you updated with the latest fight night news and boxing champions information.
Women Boxing Weight Classes
Women’s boxing is on the rise, with the likes of Katie Taylor and Clarissa Shields helping to boost the profile and attraction of the sport.
According to BoxRec, there are 17 professional boxing weight classes for women fighters, ranging from Light Minimumweight to Heavyweight.
It must be said – Vanessa Lepage Joanisse is the only current heavyweight champion. Lani Daniels only holds one of the four light heavyweight belts.
At the time of writing, there are four undisputed women’s boxing champions; the supremely talented Katie Taylor, Savannah Marshall, Claressa Shields and Alycia Baumgardner.
Women boxers were allowed to compete for the first time at the Olympic Games back in 2012 and that opened the doors for younger fighters coming through the ranks.
As of March 2024, there are six female Olympic boxing weight classes. Here are the current women boxing divisions ahead of the Olympic Games:
- 50kg
- 54kg
- 57kg
- 60kg
- 66kg
- 75kg
*Credit for all photos in this article belongs to Alamy*
