Boxing uses weight classes to create fair competition between similarly-sized fighters. Professional boxing recognises 17 divisions from minimumweight (under 47.6kg) to heavyweight (no limit). Amateur (Olympic) boxing uses slightly different divisions. Fighters often move between adjacent weight classes across their career, either moving up as they mature or cutting weight to compete in a lighter class. Each division is governed by multiple sanctioning bodies (WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO) that may recognise different champions.
Key points
- 17 professional divisions, minimumweight to heavyweight
- Amateur boxing uses different (fewer) classes
- Fighters move up or down between divisions
- Multiple belts per division across sanctioning bodies
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