The 18 divisions of boxing

The divisions in boxing, and in any contact sport, are something fundamental to have the best sportsmanship, competitiveness and fairness.

We currently have 18 different divisions with the weight carefully assessed in each one. But how did we come to this?

At the beginning of boxing, the National Sports Club created 8 divisions: Flyweight 112 lbs, Bantamweight 118 lbs, Featherweight 126 lbs, Lightweight 135 lbs, Welterweight 147 lbs, Middle 160 lbs, light heavyweight 175 lbs plus heavyweight 176 lbs and above

Problems began to arise, as the smaller divisions were overlooked and not given the spotlight they deserved. They were usually the opening fights on the card.

In addition to this, the considerable weight disparity between divisions, was hazardous for the boxers.

In 1909, the New York Boxing Commission added three more divisions: 122 lb. super bantamweight, 130 lb. super featherweight and 140 lb. super lightweight, in an attempt to reduce these huge weight gaps.

The gaps, although shorter, were still a topic of debate and some unfairness to the boxers. Again, the physical effort and the difference that could exist in some boxers, gave in many cases an advantage that could decide the course of a fight.

The WBC addressed this need in the sport and introduced six weights: Straw 105 lbs, light fly 108 lbs, Super Flyweight 118 lbs, Super Welterweight 154 lbs, Super Middleweight 168 lbs and Cruiserweight 200 lbs (originally 190 lbs) and more recently Bridger 224 lbs.

Today, the WBC has 18 divisions:

Strawweight: Up to 105 lbs.
Flyweight: Up to 108 lbs.
Flyweight: 112 lbs.
Super Flyweight: Up to 115 lbs.
Bantamweight: Up to 118 lbs.
Super Bantamweight: Up to 122 lbs.
Featherweight: 126 lbs.
Jr. Super Featherweight: 130 lbs.
Lightweight: 135 lbs.
Super Lightweight: 140 lbs.
Welterweight: 147 lbs.
Super Welterweight: Up to 154 lbs.
Middleweight: Up to 160 lbs.
Super Middleweight: Up to 168 lbs.
Light Heavyweight: Up to 175 lbs.
Cruiserweight: Up to 200 lbs.
Bridger Weight: Up to 224 lbs.
Heavy Weight: Minimum 224 lbs.