Boxing is one of the brutal combat sports in the world. At the beginning of the 20th century, weight divisions were introduced in boxing. A few of the weight divisions were incepted in the USA, while some were incepted in Great Britain. Traditionally there were eight categories in professional boxing. But in 2015, the professional governing body recognises over 17 boxing weight divisions.
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How many boxing weight divisions are there?
Here are all the seventeen boxing weight categories from Strawweight to Heavyweight.
Strawweight
The weight division was introduced somewhere between 1987 and 1990 in professional boxing. The division was finally got recognised in 1997. However, in 1968 it was used in amateur boxing i.e. Olympics Games. The weight limit for the division is 105lbs.
Junior Flyweight
It was introduced in 1920 but then withdrew in 1929. The division was reintroduced in 1970. The weight limit for the division is 108lbs.
Flyweight
The weight limit for the division is 112lbs. It is one of the eight traditional weight divisions in boxing. The first flyweight champion was crowned in 1911.
Junior Bantamweight
This is one of the new weight divisions in boxing. The first title fight in this division was held in 1980. The weight limit for the division is 115lbs.
Bantamweight
The first bantamweight title fight was held in 1889. Earlier the weight limit was 110lbs, but it got increased to 119lbs.
Junior Featherweight
The weight division was established by the New York Walker Law in 120 and was recognised in 1976. The weight limit for this division is 122lbs.
Featherweight
When the division was introduced in 1920 its limit was 114lbs. But now it has been set to 126lbs. The weight gradually moved from 114lbs to 126lbs.
Junior Lightweight
It was introduced for the first time in 1920 in the USA. However, in 1914 the first junior lightweight division champion was crowned. Later the division got scrapped. In 1960 it returned and is currently going strong.
Lightweight
The Lightweight division is one of the classical weight divisions. It was introduced for the first time in the 1094 Olympics Games. The weight limit for this division is 135lbs.
Junior Welterweight
The first division champion was crowned in 1946. The division got removed and made a comeback in 1959. The weight limit for this division is 140lbs.
Welterweight
This division lies between the lightweight and middleweight division. Puerto Rican Felix Trinidad, one of the finest boxers of the welterweight division. The weight limit for this division is 147lbs.
Junior Middleweight
It was started back in 1962, later WBO, WBA, IBF accepted the division. A few veterans of the division are Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao etc. The weight limit for this division is 154lbs.
Middleweight
This is one of the oldest weight divisions in boxing. It is believed that it was formed in the 1840s. The weight limit for this division is 160lbs.
Super Middleweight
In 1984, the IBF crowned the first Super Middleweight champion – Murray Sutherland. A year later WBA and WBC crowned their first champion. The weight limit for this division is 168lbs.
Light Heavyweight
It is believed that it was introduced around the 1980s. Some of the veterans of the division are Ezzard Charles, Floyd Patterson etc. The weight limit for this division is 175lbs.
Cruiserweight
Originally it was introduced at 190lbs but it has been increased to 200lbs. Many fighters after fighting a handful of fights in this division move up to the next division.
Heavyweight
There is no upper limit in this division. The heaviest champion in the division so far is Nikolay Valuev, who came in at 324lbs when he fought John Ruiz in 2005.