What Does Welterweight Mean?

The weight limit for boxers competing at welterweight is 147 pounds. The welterweight division is one of the original eight within boxing and has played an important part in the sport’s history. Great fighters from lower-weight classes have often moved up to welterweight and won titles. Throughout history, examples include Henry Armstrong, Roberto Duran, and Oscar De La Hoya.

Likewise, successful campaigners at welterweight have often moved up in weight to win titles at middleweight. Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Thomas “Hitman” Hearns achieved this. Welterweight is considered a glamour division within boxing, mainly because the weight class combines the speed and skills of the lower weights with the power required to deliver dramatic knockouts commonly associated with the higher-weight divisions.

History’s Best Welterweights

All of the boxers already named in this piece fall into this category. We can’t mention everyone, but here are a few more all-time greats who gloved up at 147 pounds. Barney Ross boxed as a welterweight in the 1930s. He had two title reigns, in 1934 and again from 1935-1938. Emile Griffith expertly combined the attributes of speed and power mentioned above. He won the welterweight title on three occasions. He was the undisputed welterweight champion from 1963 until 1966.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. won numerous world titles at 147 pounds between 2006 and 2015 when he retired from serious competition. One of the most gifted fighters of all time, Mayweather’s defensive style was too tricky for all the opponents who faced him to solve.

In women’s boxing, Cecilia Braekhus had a dominant run as the undisputed welterweight champion from 2014 until 2020. In the era where being anointed undisputed champion requires the winning of four world title belts, Braekhaus became the first female in any weight class to achieve this.

Two All-Time Classic Welterweight Bouts

Sugar Ray Leonard features in both of these fights. First up, Leonard put his title on the line against Roberto Duran in June, 1980 in Montreal. Duran had been chasing a fight with Leonard for a while and relished the chance to claim the welterweight title from him. The bout was a thriller, with both men showing why they are among the greatest of all time in boxing.

Fifteen months later, in September of 1981, Leonard faced off against another all-time great. Opposing him in Las Vegas that night was Thomas “Hitman” Hearns. A back-and-forth battle ensued, resulting in a thrilling conclusion.

The Current Welterweight Scene

Americans Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford are seen as the two top welterweights in the world right now. Below them, Jaron “Boots” Ennis, Vergil Ortiz Jr., and Eimantas Stanionis are seen as the heirs apparent to the welterweight throne.

On the female side, Jessica McCaskill has had success in the division recently, but she is being pursued by hungry challengers such as Sandy Ryan, Mary McGee, and possibly Cecilia Braekhus if she desires another run at the welterweight treasure.

Eras come and go in boxing. What remains constant are the weight classes. The welterweight division has always thrown up great matchups and rivalries. It will continue to do so for a long time to come.

Colin Morrison

A boxing fan since his teenage years, Morrison began writing about the sport in July 2016. He appreciates all styles of boxing and has nothing but respect for those who get in the ring for our entertainment. Morrison is from Scotland and can be found on Twitter @Morrie1981.

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