140 Boxing Division
Arguably boxing’s most prestigious division outside of heavyweight, welterweight has boasted an abundance of illustrious champions. First formed in 1889 at a limit of 145 pounds, welterweight was readjusted to the current 147 pounds in 1909.
The Bantamweight class stands as a testament to the evolution of boxing, where speed and power are increasingly balanced. Bantamweight fighters are known for their ability to execute powerful combinations, making them a threat to any opponent in the ring.
During the 19th and again at the beginning of the 20th century, the popularity of boxing brought about the formation of weight divisions other than the heavyweight class to eliminate the handicap of smaller contestants’ having to concede excessive weight to their opponents. Some of these weight divisions originated in the United States, others in Great Britain.
Rafael's take: Meeting for the second time, Pacquiao barely edged Marquez by split decision in perhaps the most controversial result of their four-fight series. Like all of their fights it was a tremendous battle but Pacquiao was lucky to escape with the victory in what was his poorest performance in a title-winning bout. He did drop Marquez with a left hand in the third round, which ultimately cost Marquez a draw. My score at ringside was 114-113 for Marquez.
The most famous athlete in the history of sport shook up the heavyweight division during his historic career, with Muhammad Ali transcending the ring to become a cultural icon. He’s widely regarded as ‘The Greatest’ ever heavyweight champion, but other legends of the division include Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano and Mike Tyson.
The Heavyweight division boasts many legendary figures. Some of the most famous include Muhammad Ali, known for his extraordinary skill and charisma; Joe Frazier, celebrated for his power and tenacity; Mike Tyson, renowned for his ferociousness and knockout power; and Lennox Lewis, known for his tactical brilliance and athleticism.
Catterall is no longer under the radar after a clever performance against Taylor, and in defeat he will find more opportunities come his way. But it won't take the sting out of the way the undisputed junior welterweight championship slipped through his hands.
Many cruiserweights have dominated the weight class to move up to heavyweight. Evander Holyfield was the first to do it, being the undisputed cruiserweight champion before moving up to heavyweight in 1988. The only other undisputed cruiserweight boxing masters division champion was O’Neil Bell.
Fun Fact: It was until Michael Spinks became the first reigning light heavyweight champion to win the heavyweight championship that many light heavyweight champions had unsuccessfully challenged for the heavyweight crown.
First established in 1979 by the WBC with a limit of 190 lbs to fit smaller heavyweight fighters who couldn’t compete with the growing size of the other boxers in the division. The first sanctioned cruiserweight champion fight was between Mate Parlov and Marvin Camel for the new WBC Cruiserweight belt. However, with the first match ending in a draw, it was the rematch in which Camel emerged victorious to become the very first cruiserweight world champ.
Why isn’t the undisputed champion higher here? Fair question. After all, he just defeated the man who would’ve topped this list had it been compiled before Nov. 27, the day he beat Lopez. Winning at the highest level is the name of the game, right? Right. At the same time, Kambosos, locked in himself, seemed to catch Lopez at his worst. He had problems in his camp and, if doctors aren’t lying, he also faced serious physical issues going into the fight. Kambosos deserves accolades for a defining victory. We just want to see him beat another elite foe before we’re 100% convinced.
Many all-time greats have reigned at 168 pounds including the likes of Roy Jones Jr, James Toney, Joe Calzaghe and Andre Ward. Meanwhile, Canelo Alvarez has become the undisputed ruler at super-middleweight at the peak of his powers as he leads boxing’s pound-for-pound rankings.
The first Light Welterweight championship was awarded in 1946 to Pinky Mitchell following a vote by Boxing Blade magazine, after the class was withdrawn by the the New York State Athletic Commission in 1930, and the National Boxing Association withdrew its recognition in 1935. Its credible return to fighting was around 1959 when Carlos Ortiz won the vacant title.
The purpose of weight classes in boxing has evolved significantly since the early days of the sport. Historically, there were far fewer divisions, but as boxing grew in popularity and sophistication, the need for more specific categories became apparent. This evolution led to a better matched, safer, and more competitive landscape across amateur and professional levels.
The UFC women's bantamweight division has been a focal point of women's mixed martial arts since its introduction in 2012, providing a platform for talented fighters to showcase their skills at the highest level. With a weight range of 126 to 135 pounds, the division has witnessed remarkable athletes like Ronda Rousey and Amanda Nunes, as well as historic title changes, contributing to its status as one of the premier weight classes in women's MMA.