What were the original weight classes? How come there are 17 and some with > 1 name?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by JabCross727, Aug 5, 2008.


  1. JabCross727

    JabCross727 Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,912
    124
    Jun 14, 2008
    I was just wondering about this. Here are the 17 weight classes with their name(s) and weight limit.

    Heavyweight - Unlimited
    Cruiserweight - 200 lbs
    Light Heavyweight - 175 lbs
    Super Middleweight - 168 lbs
    Middleweight - 160 lbs
    Junior Middleweight/Super Welterweight - 154 lbs
    Welterweight - 147 lbs
    Junior Welterweight/Super Lightweight - 140 lbs
    Lightweight - 135 lbs
    Junior Lightweight/Super Featherweight - 130 lbs
    Featherweight - 126 lbs
    Junior Featherweight/Super Bantamweight - 122 lbs
    Bantamweight - 118 lbs
    Junior Bantamweight/Super Flyweight - 115 lbs
    Flyweight - 112 lbs
    Junior Flyweight/Light Flyweight - 108 lbs
    Strawweight/Minimumweight/Mini Flyweight - 105 lbs

    I also see that in some divisions as 130 lbs, there are more than 1 name with the IBF/WBO going with the jr and the WBA/WBC going with the super title. At 105, there are three names used by the WBC, WBA, and IBF and WBO, respectively.

    So what were the original weight classes? How come so many there are 17 now? How come more than one name? Of those with >1 name, which name is the more accepted or are they accepted equally?
     
    JabCross727, Aug 5, 2008
    JabCross727, Aug 5, 2008
    #1
  2. imp4pdabest

    imp4pdabest Guest

    Boxers need to read and study this list so they can know which weight class they belong in.
     
    imp4pdabest, Aug 5, 2008
    imp4pdabest, Aug 5, 2008
    #2
  3. ishy

    ishy Loyal Member Full Member

    44,755
    7
    Mar 9, 2008
    The original 8 are Heavyweight, Light heavyweight, Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight, Featherweight, Bantamweight, Flyweight
     
    ishy, Aug 5, 2008
    ishy, Aug 5, 2008
    #3
  4. JabCross727

    JabCross727 Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,912
    124
    Jun 14, 2008
    Ishy, do you know if these original 8 still had the same weight limits as today's counterparts?
     
    JabCross727, Aug 5, 2008
    JabCross727, Aug 5, 2008
    #4
  5. Miles5149

    Miles5149 Boxing Addict Full Member

    3,822
    0
    Dec 30, 2007
    And does anyone know why sometimes its called Junior Middleweight and other times it's called Super Welterweight? Is it just your preference of which to use or is there a real reason?
     
    Miles5149, Aug 5, 2008
    Miles5149, Aug 5, 2008
    #5
  6. Borincano

    Borincano Boxing Junkie Full Member

    9,261
    7
    Mar 1, 2008
    I think it is just preference due to the sactioning bodies not all being around too long. They are inbetween weight classes for the fighters not being able to make weight. Back in the day, fighters had to jump from WW to MW and now you have JMW to balance the huge weight differential. It still happens now, but you have to be a gifted boxer to jump into higher weights like Pacman, Oscar, etc. Ultimately, it is about the money generated with so many weight classes and belts. The excuse is to give others a chance to become a champ. Bull****, there should be one title for each weight class and keep the USBA and NABF to be propelld into the rankings.
     
    Borincano, Aug 5, 2008
    Borincano, Aug 5, 2008
    #6
  7. elTerrible

    elTerrible TeamElite General Manager Full Member

    11,392
    14
    May 24, 2006


    As far as I know they are the same. 135, 147, 160, 175 were all the same ect.


    Cruiserweight changed from 190 to 200 not that long ago.
     
    elTerrible, Aug 5, 2008
    elTerrible, Aug 5, 2008
    #7
  8. elTerrible

    elTerrible TeamElite General Manager Full Member

    11,392
    14
    May 24, 2006


    Theyre the same thing. Its just a bit disorganized because there is a billion different sanctioning bodies with different terms being used.
     
    elTerrible, Aug 5, 2008
    elTerrible, Aug 5, 2008
    #8
  9. Sam Dixon

    Sam Dixon Member Full Member

    458
    10
    Nov 20, 2004
    They weren't always the same, and in the original days of weight classes, it was very often the champion fighters and their managers that stipulated what weight the fights and titles would be fought at.

    Even in Feb of 1909, when both the Americans and British tried to set the weight classes, both sides disagreed on a few limits, as well as the names of the weight classes.
     
    Sam Dixon, Aug 5, 2008
    Sam Dixon, Aug 5, 2008
    #9
  10. Miles5149

    Miles5149 Boxing Addict Full Member

    3,822
    0
    Dec 30, 2007
    Ok thanks...That's what I figured
     
    Miles5149, Aug 5, 2008
    Miles5149, Aug 5, 2008
    #10
  11. Asterion

    Asterion Boxing Junkie Full Member

    12,459
    20
    Feb 5, 2005
    Jr. Featherweight and Jr. Welterweight were created in the 1920s. They are pretty old.

    The newest ones are Light Middleweight (60s), Super Middleweight (80s) and Cruiserweight (80s).
     
    Asterion, Aug 5, 2008
    Asterion, Aug 5, 2008
    #11