What Is a Boxer in a Welterweight Division?

A welterweight in men's boxing is a boxer who weighs more than 140 pounds but no more than 147 pounds. He is therefore heavier than a boxer in the super lightweight division but lighter than a super welterweight. A welterweight, like all boxers in other divisions, must make weight in order to fight in a bout in accordance with the World Boxing Association's rules and by-laws.

  1. Weighing

    • The official weigh-in and rules review for a sanctioned, or official, boxing match take place between 16 and 30 hours before the match. The scale used at the official weighing is available to both boxers at least two hours before the official weighing time. Boxers or their agents may have to certify in writing that they have agreed to the terms of the match and the World Boxing Association rules and regulations during the rules review.

    Making Weight

    • Both boxers should be able to make the required weight limit at the official weighing. An additional two hours is given to the boxer to reduce his weight accordingly if he is not able to do so at the time of the official weighing. To make the prescribed weight, boxers usually engage in an activity to make them sweat to lose the extra pounds.

    Failure to Make Weight

    • The World Boxing Association may impose a monetary fine and demote or suspend a boxer who fails to make weight. If a champion makes weight and the challenger does not, the champion keeps his title even if he loses the match. If a boxer fails to make weight after the two additional hours, the title is declared vacant, or doesn't belong to anyone, and the match may be declared as a non-title match. Both boxers can be removed or demoted from their weight division. Additionally, a champion who fails to make weight after the additional two hours loses his title. If the challenger makes weight and wins the bout, he becomes the new champion. However, if the champion who failed to make weight wins the fight, the title is declared vacant.

    Notable Welterweights

    • Notable welterweights from the past and present, at the time of publication, are champions Carlos Baldomir from Santa Fe, Argentina; Floyd Mayweather, Jr. from Grand Rapids, Michigan; Antonio Margarito from Tijuana, Mexico; Ricky Hatton from Manchester, England; Miguel Cotto from Caguas, Puerto Rico; Shane Mosley from Pomona, California; Oscar de la Hoya from Los Angeles, California; and Manny Pacquiao from General Santos, Philippines.