The very concept of “weight categories in professional boxing” did not appear immediately. Initially, fighters of even diametrically opposite weight and physical composition entered the ring. Later it became apparent that heavy athletes won in most cases for a number of natural reasons. Therefore, it was decided to introduce division into this sport by weight categories.
Weighing procedure
Weighing procedures in professional boxing are approached with great responsibility. The athlete is required to comply with the weight, otherwise he will not be allowed to fight. The process of control weighing of a professional boxer takes place on the day of the fight, not earlier than 24 hours and not less than 8 hours before it begins. Typically, simple electronic or medical scales are used to measure severity.
To determine the kilograms as accurately as possible, it is required that the boxer undergo the weighing procedure only in swimming trunks. Weight categories in professional boxing are determined by special people - supervisors. The time for weighing is determined by the promoter. If the boxer's weight indicators do not correspond to the category that was declared before the competition, he is given 60 minutes to bring his body to the required indicator.
If the boxer does not reach the required kilograms, two conditions are announced. The first condition is that the match is not held. The second condition is that the fight is held, but even if this fighter wins, his rating will not be increased.
There are such weight categories in professional boxing:
- the lightest;
- easy;
- average;
- heavy;
- heavyweight.
Light weight
In professional boxing, lightweight fighters are divided into 6 subcategories:
- Minimum , where the severity of each athlete should not exceed 47.63 kg (105 pounds, respectively).
- The first is the easiest. Here the fighter should not exceed 48.9 kilograms on the scales (108 pounds).
- The lightest , with a maximum weight of 50.8 kilograms (or 112 pounds).
- The second is the lightest , with a maximum weight of 52.16 kg (115 pounds respectively).
- The lightest . Her maximum weight is 53.53 kg (or 118 pounds).
- The second easiest. Here, the maximum allowed rate on the scale is 55.22 kilograms (122 lbs).
A light weight
Fighters of this category are also divided into internal subcategories. There are 3 of them in light weight. The lightest fighters in this category have a weight of no higher than 57.15 kg (or 126 pounds) and are considered lightweight.
This is followed by a second semi-light subcategory, where the maximum weight is 58.98 kg (130 pounds, respectively). Easy subcategory: the maximum figure on the scales is 61.23 kilograms (135 pounds, respectively).
Average weight
The average weight in a box is divided into 5 subcategories:
- The lightest among them is the first welterweight, the severity of which does not exceed the mark of 63.5 kg (140 pounds).
- The welterweight, located next to it, has a maximum of 66.68 kg (or 147 pounds).
- The first average subcategory requires that the maximum indicator on the scale does not exceed 69.85 kilograms (154 pounds, respectively). If the fighter's severity is between 69.85 and 72.57 kg (160 pounds), then he is ranked in the middle subcategory.
- The most difficult medium subcategory is the second medium with a maximum severity score of 76.2 kg (or 168 pounds).
Heavy weight (boxing)
The most popular segment. Heavyweights fights have always been of the greatest interest and had the highest ratings.
The heaviest boxers fall into the heavy category and are distributed according to three subcategories:
- The weight of the light heavyweight subcategory should not exceed 79.4 kg (175 lbs).
- Athletes whose severity is up to 79.4 kilograms (200 pounds, respectively) fall into the first heavy subcategory.
- If a boxer weighs 91 kg (or 200 pounds) or more, he is considered a heavy subcategory.
Heavyweight Boxing
This category is often used in the boxing environment, emphasizing greater severity.
However, it is worth noting that heavyweights in boxing exist only among amateur boxers and have indicators equivalent to professional boxers in the heavy category, the maximum weight of which exceeds 91 kilograms (or 200 pounds)). We hope that with this article we helped you figure out exactly what weight categories exist in professional boxing.