What Is the Lightest Division in Professional Boxing?

Boxing is a popular combat sport practiced around the world. This sport can be traced throughout history and has gone under various changes to stay relevant. The addition of weight classes has helped make this sport safer for those involved.

  1. History of Weight Classes

    • In 1867 the Queensberry rules brought major change to boxing. An addition to these rules in 1910 created the eight original weight classes of boxing.

    Today's Weight Classes

    • Today's boxing has 17 different weight classes. These include the traditional eight weight classes with "light", "super" and "junior" specifications added within each.

    Lightest Professional Weight Class

    • The lightest weight class in men's professional boxing is the 105 pound division. This weight class is named differently across boxing organizations. The traditional names are the strawweight (WBC), junior flyweight (IBF/WBO) and the minimum weight class (WBA).

    Lightest Professional Women's Weight Class

    • Women's professional boxing is divided by 13 weight classes. The pinweight division is the lightest ranging up to 101 pounds.

    Lightest Amateur Boxing Weight Class

    • Amateur boxing also has weight classes, but the weight limits are lower than those on the professional levels. The light flyweight class ranges up to 106 pounds.