Different Boxing Weight Classes

Boxers are divided into weight classes to ensure the two fighters are evenly matched physically. Heavyweights are typically slower than smaller fighters, but have more powerful punches. Lightweight fighters may not have as much power but are typically much quicker than larger fighters. The organization that sanctions the fight also sanctions the weight divisions. The names may be different, but the key differences among the various weight divisions relate to whether the boxer is male or female and professional or amateur.

  1. Professional Men

    • There are 17 recognized weight classes for professional male boxers. These weight classes are: heavyweight (200 pounds or more); cruiserweight or junior heavyweight (200 pounds); light heavyweight (175 pounds); super middleweight (168 pounds); middleweight (160 pounds); super welterweight or junior middleweight (154 pounds); welterweight (147 pounds); super lightweight or junior welterweight (140 pounds); super lightweight or junior welterweight (140 pounds); lightweight (135 pounds); super featherweight or junior lightweight (130 pounds); featherweight (126 pounds); super bantamweight or junior featherweight (122 pounds); bantamweight (118 pounds); super flyweight or junior bantamweight (115 pounds); flyweight (112 pounds); light flyweight or junior flyweight (108 pounds); and strawweight or mini-flyweight (105 pounds).

    Professional Women

    • Female boxers are divided into 13 different weight classes. These weight divisions are: heavyweight (over 189 pounds); light heavyweight (176 pounds); middleweight (165 pounds); light middleweight (154 pounds); welterweight (145 pounds); light welterweight (138 pounds); lightweight (132 pounds); featherweight (125 pounds); bantamweight (119 pounds); light bantamweight (114 pounds); flyweight (110 pounds); light flyweight (106 pounds); and pinweight (101 pounds or less).

    Amateur Men

    • There are 11 weight divisions for amateur men. These classes are: super heavyweight (over 201 pounds); heavyweight (201 pounds); light heavyweight (178 pounds); middleweight (165 pounds); welterweight (152 pounds); light welterweight (141 pounds); lightweight (132 pounds); featherweight (125 pounds); bantamweight (119 pounds); flyweight (112 pounds); and light flyweight (106 pounds or less).

    Amateur Women

    • There are 14 weight divisions for amateur women. These weight classes are: super heavyweight (over 189 pounds); heavyweight (189 pounds); light heavyweight (176 pounds); middleweight (165 pounds); light middleweight (154 pounds); welterweight (145 pounds); light welterweight (138 pounds); lightweight (132 pounds); featherweight (125 pounds); bantamweight (119 pounds); light bantamweight (119 pounds); flyweight (110 pounds); light flyweight (106 pounds); and pinweight (101 pounds or less).