Weight divisions - BoxRec Weight divisions 5 History of the Weight Divisions Current Weight Divisions In January 2015, the World Boxing Council , World Boxing Association and the International Boxing Federation reached an agreement to standardize the names of the 17 weight categories. (The World Boxing Organization has yet to adopt these standard class names.) The currently-recognized weight divisions/classes for professional male boxers, listed in maximum allowable weight, as defined by these four major sanctioning bodies , are: Division/Class Pinweight: up to 101 pounds Light Flyweight: 106 Light Flyweight: up to 106 pounds Flyweight: 112 Super Heavyweight: over 201 Traditional Eight Divisions These are commonly known today as the "traditional divisions," which were basically the only weight classes throughout the early 20th Century, before the numerous "super," "junior" and "light" classes were added.

Flyweight: 8 st (50,802 Kg / 112 lbs) Bantamweight: 8 st 6 lbs (53,525 kg / 118 lbs) Featherweight: 9 st (57,153 kg / 126 lbs) Lightweight: 9 st 9 lbs (61,235 kg / 135 lbs) Welterweight: 10½ st (66,678 kg / 147 lbs) Middleweight: 11 st 6 lbs (72,574 kg / 160 lbs) Light Heavyweight: 12½ st (79,378 kg / 175 lbs) Heavyweight: (unlimited) See also, 15 Feb 1909 Los Angeles Herald article re: necessity for revision to universal 8 divisions: [1] History of the Weight Divisions The 21 National Sporting Club ( NSC ) Rules- (1891-?) London-based private club amends 12 Queensberry Rules , modifying with new augment rules with nine specific criteria, such as designating role of

 officials; devised a system of scoring bouts; and enabled referee to determine who won.

Major accomplishment transpired in 1909 ratification vote and 1910 implementation of 8 traditional weight classes: Heavyweight [176 lbs plus; at least 75.3 kg; over 12 stone, 7 lbs] Cruiserweight [175 lb maximum; 79.5 kg; or 12 stone, 7 pounds] later called "lighter heavyweight" by the English and "light heavyweight" by the Americans. Solidified under the New York State Athletic Commission and National Boxing Association as one division, with a uniform name.

Middleweight [160 lbs maximum; 72.7 kg; or 11 stone, 4 pounds] Welterweight [147 lbs maximum; 66.8 kg; or 10 stone, 7 pounds] Lightweight [135lbs maximum; 61.4 kg; or 9 stone, 9 pounds] Featherweight [126lbs maximum; 57.3 kg; or 9 stone] Bantamweight [118lbs maximum; 53.6 kg; or 8 stone, 6 pounds] Flyweight [112lbs maximum; 50.9 kg; or 8 stone] NOTE: weight class key- one pound equals .45359237 kilograms one pound equals .0714285714 stone- sixteen ounces equals one pound, 14 stone and 6 kilograms.

Olympic Boxing Classes & Weight Divisions: [American lbs, European kilograms, English stones] One pound (lb as unit of mass) is equal to 16 ounces (oz) One kilogram (also equal to 1,000 grams) is equal to 2.2 lbs One stone is equal to 14 pounds (with pounds rounding 5/8th) Super Heavyweight: [202lbs + above; 91.6 kg or 14 stone, 6 pounds] – (est. 1984-end 2004): legislation pending before International Olympic Congress , not subject to change by AIBA . Heavyweight: [179-201lbs*; 81.2 – 91.2 kg; 12 stone, 11 pounds – 14 stone, 5 pounds]– (est. 1904) Light Heavyweight: [166-178lbs; 75.3 – 80.7 kg; or 11 stone, 12 pounds – 12 stone, 10 pounds – (est.

1920) Middleweight: [157-165lbs; 71.2 – 74.8; or 11 stone, 3 pounds – 11 stone, 11 pounds] – (est. 1904) Light Middleweight: [148-156lbs; 67.1 – 70.8 kg; or 10 stone, 8 pounds – 11 stone, 2 pound] – (est. 1952) Welterweight: [140-147lbs; 63.5 – 66.7 kg; or 10 stone – 10 stone, 7 pounds] – (est. 1904) Light Welterweight: [133-139lbs; 60.3 – 63.0 kg; or 9 stone, 7 pounds – 9 stone, 13 pounds] – (est.

1952) Lightweight: [126-132lbs; 57.2 – 59.9 kg; or 9 stone – 9 stone, 6 pounds] – (est. 1904) Featherweight: [120-125lbs; 54.4 – 56.7 kg; or 8 stone, 8 pounds – 8 stone, 13 pounds] – (est. 1904) Bantamweight: [113-119lbs; 51.3 – 53.9 kg; or 8 stone, 1 pound – 8 stone, 7 pounds] – (est. 1904) Flyweight: [107-112lbs; 48.5 – 50.8 kg; or 7 stone, 9 pounds – 8 stone] – (est. 1904) Light Flyweight: [106 – below; less than 48.1 kg; or 7 stone, 8 pounds and below] – (est.

1968) Detailed Weight Division History [in American lbs, European kilograms, English stones] Heavyweight (over 200 pounds-unlimited; over 91.4 kg; 14 stone, 5 pounds - unlimited): First originated as 160 pounds plus (over 72.7 kg or 11 stone, 4 pounds) by Jack Broughton (in 1738); next established by the ABA as unlimited (in 1889); reaffirmed no limit by the NSC (in 1909); changed by the NYSAC to 175 plus in 1920; modified again in 1979 by the WBC (followed by the WBA in 1982 and the IBF in 1983); again modified in 2004 by the WBA, WBC and IBF to mean 201-plus pounds.

Cruiserweight [also called junior heavyweight] (176-200 lbs; 80.0 – 90.0 kg; 12 stone 8 pounds – 14 stone 4 pounds): First originated in England (later called lighter-heavyweight); next established as 176-190 lbs (80.0 – 86.2 kg or 12 stone, 8 pounds – 13 stone, 8 pounds) by the WBC in 1979, then the WBA in 1982, and the IBF in 1983; modified in 2004 first by the WBC, then the WBA and next by the IBF to allow a maximum limit of 200 pounds. NOTE: the English class cruiserweights (from 1889-1937) became light heavyweight (1937-present). The name reappeared in America (in 1980) for a new class of 190, then 195, and currently 200 pound boxers.

Light Heavyweight [also called lighter-heavyweight] (169-175 lbs; 76.8 – 79.5 kg; 12 stone, 1 pounds – 12 stones, 7 pounds): Initially created by Lou Houseman for his fighter Jack Root (in 1903); first established by the NSC (in 1909) as 12 stone, 7 pounds or 175 lbs. Super Middleweight [also called Junior Light Heavyweight] (161-168 lbs; 73.2 – 76.4 kg; 11 stone, 7 pounds – 12 stones): First established in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1967 (see Don Fullmer vs. Joe Hopkins) ; then re-established by the Ohio Boxing Commission (in 1974); then "resurrected" by the World Athletic Association (in 1982); next recognized by the IBF (in 1984); then the WBA (in 1987): and last by the WBC (in 1988).

(The IBRO , however, says this class was created in 1984 by the IBF; followed by the WBA in 1987; and the WBC in 1988. [2] )) Middleweight (155-160 lbs; 70.5 – 72.7 kg; 11 stone, 1 pound – 11 stone, 6 pounds): First established by the ABA as 11 stone, 4 pounds (in 1889); modified by the NSC (in 1909) as 11 stone, 6 pounds or 160 lbs. Junior Middleweight [also called Light Middleweight, Super Welterweight] (148-154 lbs; 67.3 – 70.0 kg; 10 stone, 8 pounds – 11 stone): First created by the New York Walker Law (in 1920); first established by the NBA (in 1956). Recognized by the Austrian Boxing Board of Control and European Boxing Union (in 1962).

NOTE: this weight class can be divided into two historical periods: 1956-1962 and 1963-present. (The IBRO says it was created by the WBA in 1962- the WBA's first world junior middleweight title bout was held on October 20, 1962, three days after a "world" junior middleweight title bout sanctioned by the Austrian Boxing Board of Control. The WBC recognized the division in 1963 and later renamed it the "Super Welterweight" division.) Welterweight (141-147 lbs; 64.1 – 66.8 kg; 10 stone, 1 pound – 10 stone, 7 pounds): First recognized in England as 142-145 pounds (in 1889, then 1892). Next established by the NSC (in 1909) as 10 stone, 7 pounds or 147 lbs and made uniform as 147 pounds by the NYSAC and NBA (in 1920).

Junior Welterweight (also called Light Welterweight or Super Lightweight): (136-140 lbs; 61.8 – 63.6 kg; 9 stone, 10 pounds – 10 stone): First created by the New York Walker Law (in 1920). First recognized by Boxing Blade and also sanctioned by the NBA (in 1922); first established by the WBC in 1968. NOTE: This weight class can be divided into three distinct historical periods: 1922-1935, 1946, and 1959-present. (The IBRO says that was weight class was mentioned in the rules of the NYSAC in 1920 but basically ignored. In the fall of 1922, The Blade, a Midwestern boxing weekly, held a "write-in" contest to name the first champion and the readers chose Pinky Mitchell as the first champion. In the 1930s title recognition got muddled for awhile until Barney Ross reunified the title on November 17, 1933.

Ross relinquished the title in 1935 when it got muddled again. Tippy Larkin won NBA and NYSAC recognition as champion in 1946 but forfeited it in 1947. The title was dormant until 1959 when the NBA sanctioned a title bout between Carlos Ortiz and Kenny Lane . Late in 1968 the WBC withdrew title recognition from “Lineal” champion Paul Fuji and established their own champion. The WBC renamed the division "Super Lightweight" in 1976.) Lightweight (131-135 lbs; 59.5 – 61.4 kg; 9 stone, 5 pounds – 9 stone, 9 pounds): First originated as any fighter whose weight was less than 160 pounds by Jack Broughton (in 1738); under London Prize Ring , weight class ranged from (130-150); next established by the ABA as 10 stone (in 1889); modified by the NSC (in 1909) as 9 stone, 9 pounds or 135 lbs.

First English Champion John Moneghan (in 1850). Junior Lightweight [also called Super Featherweight] (127-130 lbs; 57.7 – 59.1 kg; or 9 stone, 1 pound – 9 stone, 4 pounds): Created by the New York Walker Law (in 1920), though first established by the NYSAC (in 1930). NOTE: this weight class can be divided into distinct historical periods: 1921-1933 and 1959-present. (The IBRO says this weight class appeared in Europe in 1914. Johnny Dundee won the first world junior lightweight title recognition by the NYSAC on November 18, 1921. The division ceased to exist after 1934. It reappeared for a short time on December 6, 1949, when Sandy Saddler won recognition as champion. The NBA revised the class on July 20, 1959 when Harold Gomes defeated Paul Jorgensen for the vacant title.

The WBC recognized the division in 1968 and established their own champion.

The IBF followed suit in 1984 and the WBO in 1989.) Featherweight (123-126 lbs; 55.9 – 57.3 kg: or 8 stone, 11 pounds – 9 stone): First created under London Prize Ring Rules (in 1860) as 118 lbs (53.6 kg or 8 stone, 6 pounds); first established by the ABA as 126 lbs (57.3 kg or 9 stone in 1889); changed under Marquess Rules to 110 lbs (in 1889); next changed to 115 pounds (52.3 kg or 8 stone, 3 pounds) when George Dixon beat Cal McCarthy in 1890; his manager then changed to 120 lbs (54.4 kg or 8 stone, 8 pounds) when Dixon beat Abe Willis ; modified by the NSC (in 1909) as 126 lbs (57.3 kg or 9 stone).

Junior Featherweight [also called Light Featherweight, Super Bantamweight] (119-122 lbs; 54.1 – 55;5 kg; or 8 stone, 7 pounds – 8 stone, 10 pounds): First created by the New York Walker Law, though not fully established by the NYSAC (1920); first sanctioned by the WBC (in 1976) (The IBRO says the WBC called it "Super Bantamweight.") The WBA followed in 1977. Bantamweight (116-118 lbs; 52.7 – 53.6 kg; or 8 stone, 4 pound – 8 stone, 6 pounds): First established by the ABA (in 189), then fully sanctioned by the NSC (in 1909) as 118 lbs (53.6 kg or 8 stone, 6 pounds). Later solidified by the New York Walker Law for standardized weight divisions (in 1920); endorsed by the NYSAC, and sanctioned by the NBA.

Under London Prize Ring Rules, the weight division was 105 lbs (47.7 kg or 7 stone, 7 pounds). Under Queensberry Rules , it increased to 112 lbs (50.9 kg or 8 stone in 1880) and then 115 pounds (52.3 kg or 8 stone, 3 pounds in 1890). The weight class was set at 116 pounds (52.7 kg or 8 stone, 4 pounds in 1898). The present 118 pound limit was first adopted in England (in 1904), then by the NSC (in 1909). Junior Bantamweight [also called Light Bantamweight, Super Flyweight] (113-115 lbs; 51.4 – 52.3 kg; or 8 stone, 1 pound – 8 stone, 3 pounds): First created by the New York Walker Law (in 1920) regulating standardized weight divisions.

(The IBRO says it was mentioned in the rules of the NYSAC in 1920, but apparently no titles were ever held. The WBC re-introduced the division as "Super Flyweight" in 1980. The WBA followed in 1981.) Flyweight [also called Paperweight in England] (109-112 lbs; 49.5 – 50.0 kg; or 7 stone, 11 pounds – 8 stone): First established by the NSC (in 1909) as 112 lbs (50.9 kg or 8 stone). English boxing authorities followed suit and set the weight limit as 108 lbs (49.1 kg or 7 stone, 10 pounds in 1910). The NBA and NYSAC recognized this weight class in 1927. New York’s 1920 Walker Law established the weight class at 112 pounds.

Junior Flyweight [also called Light Flyweight] (106-108 lbs; 48.2 – 49.1 kg; 7 stone, 8 pounds – 7 stone, 10 pounds): First established by the 1920 Walker Law regulating standardized weight divisions. First sanctioned by the WBC in 1975. (The IBRO says it was established by the NYSAC at 109 pounds in 1920. Not much happened and it disappeared quickly. The WBC and WBA re-introduced the class at 108 pounds in 1975. The WBC called the division "Light Flyweight.") Strawweight [also called Minimumweight, Mini-Flyweight] (96-105 lbs; 43.6 – 47.7 kg; or 6 stone, 12 pounds – 7 stone, 7 pounds): First established as a "worldwide" division by the IBF (in 1987) and later recognized by both the WBA and WBC.

(The IBRO says it was established by the Thai Boxing Commission at 105 pounds in 1984. The IBF, WBC and WBA created the division in 1987. The IBF called it "Mini Flyweight"; the WBC "Strawweight"; and the WBA "Minimumweight." The IBF held its first world title bout for the division in June 1987; the WBC in October 1987, and the WBA in January 1988.) Paperweight (95lbs and below; less than 43.2 kg; or 6 stone, 11 pounds): First established by the Queensberry Amateur Championship and ABA as 95 lbs and less (in 1880). In time the paperweight champion became synonymous with the flyweight and bantamweight champions, although the weight actually increased 17 pounds by sanctioning of the NSC around 1896-1898.

Supplemental Information: 17 alphabetical weight classes [Cruiserweight by the World Boxing Council (in 1979); Super Middleweight (or junior light heavyweight) in Utah in 1967, by the Ohio Boxing Commission (in 1974), by the World Athletic Association in 1982, and officially by the International Boxing Federation (in 1984); and Mini-Flyweight (Strawweight or Minimumweight) by the International Boxing Federation (in 1987). NOTE: Cruiserweight limit was changed from 190-195 to a uniform 200, and was recognized by the World Boxing Council , World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation (in 2004)]. 14 conventional weight classes (Junior Middleweight, Junior Welterweight, Junior Lightweight, Junior Featherweight, Junior Bantamweight and Junior Flyweight) amended by the NBA and NYSAC after implemented New York Walker Law of 1920). 8 traditional weight classes (Light Heavyweight, Welterweight and Flyweight) established by the National Sporting Club of London (ratified in 1909) as championship divisions (est.

1910). 5 professional divisions throughout the 19th century (in 1889) with Bantamweight (Flyweight later modified three times as Featherweight) as set forth by the Pelican Club (a combination entity of the Pugilistic Society and Club ; later gave way to the National Sporting Club, which in time became the modern day British Board of Boxing Control ). 4 original weight classes (Middleweight and Featherweight) adopted by the Amateur Boxing Association (in 1880). 2 inaugural weight classes (Heavyweight and Light(er)weight) set by Broughton’s Rules governing prize fights (in 1738). Primary source: The History of Modern Day Weight Categories (as edited by BoxRec Wikipedia Editors)--Boxing Press, Editor in Chief, Greg Goodrich; International Boxing Research Organization Boxing Weight Classes – A Full Explanation – Boxing Agenda | Watch Boxing Online Boxing Weight Classes – A Full Explanation Boxing Weight Classes – A Full Explanation – by Admin 0 Boxing Weight Classes Boxing fans that don’t watch boxing much, and even those that do, often wonder about the weight class for boxing.

This is natural I think, because boxing tends to only cater to the fighters that are successful at “the moment”. For instance when Muhammad ali was on top, all people were interested in were heavy weights. The same is true for tyson. The man of the moment right now is “Money” himself Floyd Mayweather. Boxing weight classes can also be called the weight categories in boxing and boxing weight categories (they will determine the weight divisions in boxing), these terms all mean the same thing. In laymans terms, these phrase are asking to simple questions: (1) – How heavy is the boxer? (2) – What weight division does his weight class put him in? In boxing the weight of a boxer is very important as it determines who he can and can’t fight for the most part. People that have no clue of the weight classes in boxing, can *kind of* be forgiven for thinking that a Muhammad Ali could have fought a Floyd Mayweather. All this being said I am going to define for you the different weight class for boxing here, so that in future you won’t make the mistake of mis-matching boxers. Let’s get into the technical aspexcts of this shall we?

First let’s look at the boxing governing bodies, then I will list the 17 weight classes that are accepted by them. The following recognized bodies are: WBA – WBA stands for World Boxing Association, this is an international boxing organization, that have put together official bouts. They award fighters with the WBA championship at a professional level, it was founded in 1921 as the boxing association and changed its name to WBA in 1962, taking into consideration boxing’s world wide popularity, and inviting ither nations in to join it was originally 13 states WBC – WBC stands for World Boxing Council, they are an international boxing organization. Originallty stablished by 11 countries which were: the United States, Puerto Rico, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil. They came together in 1963 in Mexico City, by invitation of then President López Mateos, to unify all the world commisions and control boxings growth. There are now 161 member countries IBF – IBF stands for International boxing Federation it was initially named the USBA-International.

It cam about in 1983, when the president of the United States Boxing Association (USBA), lost his bid to become the WBA president. In 1999 the then president was accused of taking bribes and racketeering. Since then the IBF has gone on to have the first female president in Hiawatha Knight (1999) and Marian Muhammad (2001), after. Today they are considered one of the top 4 boxing sanctioning bodies. WBO – WBO stands for World Boxing Organization, that recognize professional boxing world champions. You can find their offices in San Juan, Puerto Rico. WBO started in 1988, after they had disputes with the WBA. This was during a the 1988 anual covention in Isla Margarita, Venezuela. The disputes were over rulings that should be applied. The WBO was a less respect title for many years. They even disallowed fighters to have the WBO and the other three major titles (IBF, WBA, or WBC) at the same time. It was not until 2012, that the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) recognized the WBO.

Now you have an oveview of the governin bodies in boixing you know more than 99% percent of fans, consider your self initiated. An explanation of the weight class for boxing Let’s start with a catch weight: A Brief Explanation Of “Catch Weight” A catch weight is basically a weight that is not naturally recopgnized within the 17 weight classes, which I will be explaining after this. The catch weights main purpose is to make the fight fair so that the naturally bigger fighter does not have a weight advantage. An agreement on a middle ground for the weight, two fighters will fight at, will also ensure that the fight will go ahead and protect the lighter fighter from being endangered. Source: Weight class (Boxing) Wikipedia The Boxing Weight Classes Originally there were 8 weight classes for boxing, this has subsequently been increased to 18 different weight classes.

You can see them below: The Different Weight Classes In boxing (Official WBA,WBC, IBF & WBO Classifications) 1 – (Pounds lb 105 – Kg 47.6 – 7.5st) – WBA Minimumweight, WBC Strawweight, IBF Mini flyweight, WBO Mini flyweight – Since 1987 2 – (Pounds lb 108 – kg 49.0 – 7 st lb 10) – WBA Light flyweight, WBC Light flyweight, IBF Junior flyweight, WBO Junior flyweight – Since 1975 3 – (Pounds lb 112 – Kg 50.8 – 8 st) – WBA Flyweight, WBC Flyweight, IBF Flyweight, WBO Flyweight – Since 1911 4 – (Pounds lb 115 – Kg 52.2 – 8 st lb 3) – WBA Super flyweight, WBC Super flyweight, IBF Junior bantamweight, WBO Junior bantamweight – Since 1980 5 – (Pounds

 lb 118 – Kg 53.5 – 8 st lb 6) – WBA Bantamweight, WBC Bantamweight, IBF Bantamweight, WBO Bantamweight – Since 1894 6 – (Pounds lb 122 – Kg 55.3 – 8 st lb 10) – WBA Super bantamweight, WBC Super bantamweight, IBF Junior featherweight, WBO Junior featherweight – Since 1976 7 – (Pounds lb 126 – Kg 57.2 – 9 st) – WBA Featherweight, WBC Featherweight, IBF Featherweight, WBO Featherweight – Since 1889 8 – (Pounds lb 130 – Kg 59.0 – 9 st lb 4) – WBA Super featherweight, WBC Super featherweight, IBF Junior lightweight, WBO Junior lightweight – Since 1959 9 – (Pounds lb 135 – Kg 61.2 – 9 st lb 9) – WBA Lightweight, WBC Lightweight

, IBF Lightweight, WBO Lightweight – Since 1886 10 – (Pounds lb 140 – Kg 63.5 – 10 st) – WBA Super lightweight, WBC Super lightweight, IBF Junior welterweight, WBO Junior welterweight – Since 1959 11 – (Pounds lb 147 – Kg 66.7 – 10.5 st) – WBA Welterweight, WBC Welterweight, IBF Welterweight, WBO Welterweight – Since 1914 12 – (Pounds lb 154 – Kg 69.9 – 11 st) – WBA Super welterweight, WBC Super welterweight, IBF Junior middleweight, WBO Junior middleweight – Since 1962 13 – (Pounds lb 160 – Kg 72.5 – 11 st lb 6) – WBA Middleweight, WBC Middleweight, IBF Middleweight, WBO Middleweight – Since 1884 14 – (Pounds lb 168 – Kg

 76.2 – 12 st) – WBA Super middleweight, WBC Super middleweight, IBF Super middleweight, WBO Super middleweight – Since 1984 15 – (Pounds lb 175 – Kg 79.4 – 12.5 st) – WBA Light heavyweight, WBC Light heavyweight, IBF Light heavyweight, WBO Light heavyweight – Since 1913 16 – (Pounds lb 200 – Kg 90.7 – 14 st lb 4) – WBA Cruiserweight, WBC Cruiserweight, IBF Cruiserweight, WBO Junior heavyweight – Since 1980 17 – (weight unlimited) – WBA Heavyweight, WBC Heavyweight, IBF Heavyweight, WBO Heavyweight – Since 1885 You can now look at the weight classes in boxing as summarized by Box Rec, which is the most popular boxing website online for statistics.

Their weight class guide will help you see the weight classes in boxing more clearly without the *squabbling*, between these respective bodies. [table id=1 /] Boxing Like us on Facebook Boxing Boxing, often called “the manly art of self-defense,” is a sport in which two competitors try to hit each other with their glove-encased fists while trying to avoid each other’s blows. The competition is divided into a specified number of rounds, usually 3 minutes long, with 1-minute rest periods between rounds. Although amateur boxing is widespread, professional boxing has flourished on an even grander scale since the early 18th century. Amateur fights consist of 3 rounds, professional fights from 4 to 15 rounds. The recognized length of championship fights is 12 rounds. In most countries, professional boxing is the more popular version, but the rules vary because there is no true governing body. Even in the United States, boxing regulations vary from state to state. In all boxing, however, winners are determined either by a decision of the judges (who keep points or round victors on a scorecard as the fight progresses), the referee, or both.

The winner also may be decided by a knockout, in which one rival is sent to the floor by a punch and cannot get up within 10 seconds. A doctor or referee can declare the boxer injured or defenseless even if there is no knockdown. A tied or even match is ruled a draw. The boxing ring is actually a square, 12 to 20 ft (3.7 to 6.1 m) on each side and enclosed on each side by three or four ropes. Gloves have been worn by boxers as a general practice since 1892. Gloves are made of leather, have no finger holes except for the thumb, and weigh from 8 oz (227 g) for amateur bouts down to 6 oz (170 g) for professional and all title bouts. Boxing originated when a person first lifted a fist against another in play. Different eras of the sport have been distinguished by the use or nonuse of fist coverings. The ancient Greeks believed fist fighting was one of the games played by the gods on Olympus; thus it became part of the Olympic Games in about 688 BC. Homer has a reference to boxing in the Iliad.

During Roman times the sport began to thrive on a wide scale. Boxers fought with leather bands around their fists for protection and sometimes wore metal-filled, leather hand coverings called cesti, resulting in bloody, often duel-to-death, battles. Boxing diminished after the fall of Rome. It was revived in the 18th century in England and became especially popular during the championship reign of James Figg, who held the heavyweight title from 1719 through 1730. Boxing became a workingman’s sport during the Industrial Revolution as prizefights attracted participants and spectators from the working class. Organization was minimal at first, and the bouts of those eras resembled street fights more than modern boxing. The second heavyweight champion, Jack Broughton of England, drew his own set of rules for his own fights, and these were recognized in 1743. They outlawed some of the gorier aspects that the sport had acquired, such as hitting below the belt line. Instead of a ring of spectators–hence, the name ring–Broughton insisted upon a squared-off area.

His rules governed what is known as the “bareknuckle era.” In 1866 the Marquess of Queensberry gave his support to a new set of rules, which were named in his honor. These rules limited the number of 3-minute rounds, eliminated gouging and wrestling, and made the use of gloves mandatory. Bareknuckle bouts did not cease immediately but did begin to decline. A new era dawned in 1892, when James J. CORBETT defeated the last of the great bare-fisted fighters, John L. SULLIVAN, under the new rules. With the growing popularity of boxing, especially in the United States, weight classes other than the unlimited heavyweights emerged. These classes became popular as world championships were held at the new weights.

Currently, there are eight major professional divisions: flyweight (up to 112 lb/50.8 kg); bantamweight (118 lb/53.5 kg); featherweight (126 lb/57.2 kg); lightweight (135 lb/61.2 kg); welterweight (147 lb/66.7 kg); middleweight (160 lb/72.6 kg); light heavyweight (175 lb/79.4 kg); and heavyweight (unlimited). In recent years there has been some recognition of junior weights, or between-weights, such as junior lightweight and cruiserweight. Because of its violent nature and its identification with betting, boxing has had a controversial history. There have been periodic efforts to outlaw the sport. The November 1982 death of South Korean boxer Duk Koo Kim, for example, prompted two editorials in the Journal of the American Medical Association (Jan. 14, 1983) calling for a ban on all boxing.

The results of a study by an AMA-sponsored scientific council appeared in that same issue, and the council, expressing the official AMA position, called not for a ban but for improved controls and medical facilities at ringside, centralized record keeping, and standardization of safety regulations. Despite these periodic efforts, boxers remain internationally famous, particularly heavyweight champions, most of whom, in this century, have come from the United States. Among the best heavyweights have been Muhammad ALI, Jack DEMPSEY, Jack JOHNSON, Joe LOUIS, Rocky MARCIANO, Gene TUNNEY, Corbett, and Sullivan. Outstanding champions in the lighter weights have included Benny Leonard, Mickey WALKER, Barney Ross, Henry ARMSTRONG, and Sugar Ray ROBINSON. Louis, Marciano, and Ali benefited greatly–both in popularity and financially–from the promotion of televised fights. Asia and Latin America have produced many champions in recent years in some of the lower weight classes, which are less popular in the United States. The Communist bloc has done exceedingly well in Olympic competition. References featherweight - Free definitions by Babylon featherweight adj.

light like a feather; belonging to the featherweight class (Boxing); ineffective Download this dictionary Featherweight 1. an amateur boxer who weighs no more than 126 pounds (hypernym) boxer, pugilist 3. a professional boxer who weighs between 123 and 126 pounds (hypernym) prizefighter, gladiator 1.

of a weight class of 123-126 pounds for prizefighters; "the featherweight class" (similar) light featherweight Synonyms and related words: Chinese boxer, bantam, bantamweight, banty, black belt, boxer, brown belt, bruiser, button, catchweight, chit, cluck, diminutive, dimwit, dumb, fighter, fingerling, fisticuffer, flyweight, forceless, heavyweight, imponderous, impotent, ineffective, ineffectual, inefficacious, karate expert, light heavyweight, lightweight, middleweight, mini, minikin, minnow, minny, mouse, no-account, nubbin, of no account, palooka, peewee, pony, powerless, prizefighter, pug, pugilist, runt, savate expert, shrimp, slip, small fry, snip, snippet, sparrer, tit, unauthoritative, underweight, unheavy, wart, weak, weightless, welterweight, wisp, without any weight Source: Moby Thesaurus, which is part of the Moby Project created by Grady Ward.

In 1996 Grady Ward placed this thesaurus in the public domain.

Question: A boxer between 123-126 lb. (57.2 kg) is classed in which weight?
Answer: Featherweight