The sport of boxing has a large amount of heritage and tradition because of which spectators get to watch strong performers and strategies involved. Organised at its centre are weight divisions which make certain that fighters compensate for relative strength by quality weight.
Knowing these divans is important for lovers and athletes, as it influences the actions on the rope. Every weight class has its own rules and regulations that define the characteristics of about.
This article will look at the different categories and subcategories of boxing weight classes; the boxing weight class governing rules complete with detailed information for the beginner as well as the veteran boxing enthusiast.
How Long Is a Boxing Match?
The length of a boxing match therefore depends on the ‘class’ of boxing, the level of competition as well as rules of some boxing regulatory bodies. As in professional boxing, bouts average 10 to 12 rounds with each round having a duration of three minutes with the fighters having one minute’s rest during the break to receive advice.
Still, amateur boxing may consist of bouts of three rounds, like a professional one, but each round may take just three minutes. This format increases the work’s speed and the flow of dialogue because fighters do not have much time to win a fight.
Games can also end in KOs or TKOs, where a fighter can no longer fight. In the fight the judges decide the winner, the bout is based on performance, technique, and effective aggression once the scheduled rounds are over.
Moreover, championship bouts might be introduced, adding more rounds and therefore affecting the total time of the match. The analysis of time structure in boxing allows giving helpful advice to appreciate the unique view of tactical approaches of fighters in the process of their fights.
Understanding Boxing Weight Classes, Divisions And Rules.
As boxing gained in popularity in the 19th and early 20th centuries some promoters came up with the concepts of weight classes after the heavyweight division with the intent of providing some form of protection to the lightly framed fighters from taking on much bigger fighters.
It should be noted that some weight classes were created in the United States, and some others in Great Britain.
How Weight Classes Organise Boxing
Weight divisions are divisions of the weight of the boxers so that fighters in a specific category are matched with similar fighters of their weight and age.
It can also rightly be explained that older fighters can manage a switch to the next higher division than that of the present competitions because they tend to possess harder bones and muscle mass. Many divisions have their own upper and lower weight limits although those of the specials don’t have upper limits.
There are those divisions, which have been in practice for a very long time and there are emerging divisions like the ‘bridgerweight,’ which is in between cruiser and heavyweight.
Weight Divisions in Boxing: Examination of Boxing Weights Categories & Charts.
– Strawweight: 105 lbs
– Light Flyweight: 105-108 lbs
– Flyweight: 108-112 lbs
– Super Flyweight: 112-115 lbs
– Bantamweight: 115-118 lbs
– Super Bantamweight: 118-122 lbs
– Featherweight: 122-126 lbs
– Super Featherweight: 126-130 lbs
– Lightweight: 130-135 lbs
– Light Welterweight: 135-140 lbs
– Welterweight: 140-147 lbs
– Light Middleweight: 147-154 lbs
– Middleweight: 154-160 lbs
– Super Middleweight: 160-168 lbs
– Light Heavyweight: 168-175 lbs
– Cruiserweight: 175-200 lbs
– Bridgerweight: 200-224 lbs
– Heavyweight: 200 lbs or more
Boxing Weigh-in Rules
Usually, weigh-ins are conducted a day before the fight to confirm the fighters keep within the stipulated weight in a class fight, or for a catchweight fight. To conform to a certain weight class, boxers may drop as many pounds as possible within the shortest time probably by sweating a lot and then regaining them immediately before the fight.
Some fighters could turn up naked and would simply make the required weight. Most organisations such as the IBF have weight loss policies that restrict the number of pounds that can be lost and later regained.
Ring, Rules, and Equipment
In professional boxing, the rules also differ from country to country and from state to state in the United States since there is no universally recognized authority. Matches are often fought in a circular arena with a diameter of 17 ¾ to 21 feet and with four ropes around the ring.
Contests can range from 4 to 12 rounds and each round can only take 3 minutes but for women’s fights, and some of the fights in Great Britain it is usually for 2 minutes. Though championship fights were originally determined by 15 rounds until the early 90s, currently WBC, WBA, and IBF, etc. maintain the bouts in 12 rounds only.
The referee is inside the ring during the bout while in some areas he or she also officiates alongside two ringside judges. In general, three ringside judges control the match, assigning points to every boxer in each round.
A boxer can only win by knockout or be declared a winner by two of the three judges that sit ringside. In Olympic boxing, there are usually five judges making the score electronically; the result is recorded when at least three of the judges’ buttons are pressed simultaneously within a one-second interval.
Boxers use huge gloves that are used for sparring, they range between 8- 10 ounces (227- 283 grams). A bout ends when a boxer is knocked down and remains prostrate for a count of ten or when a boxer chooses to retire or the match has been stopped.
A TKO is when the referee or ring-side physician rules that a competitor cannot continue to protect themselves, or if the competitor discontinues fighting. If all the rounds which are set before the bout are done then the fight will be determined through judges scoring.
Several conditions can lead to a boxing match ending in a draw: the outcome of a match will be a draw in the following circumstances: where all three of the judges give the same score to both contestants; or where two judges score both contestants the same and their scores are not affected by the score of the third judge.
Also, it becomes a draw if one judge scores two different opponents while the second and third judges score the same or are tied on a split decision. A ‘no contest’ is used in a fight if the bout ends in a draw for example where one fighter is unable to continue the fight due to an accidental head butt.
The rules applicable in an amateur boxing match are nearly similar to those applicable in the US. Similar to amateur boxing rules that are practiced in Great Britain, and continental Europe it varies greatly from professional Boxing.
Amateur contests prior for only three rounds and the glove used is heavier with protective headgear worn. After the Sydney 2000, Olympic bouts were organized in the format of four rounds of two minutes each.
A referee controls it in amateur boxing whereas three to five judges are present to judge the bout. Worthy noting is that the ad hoc enforcement of rules in the boxers’ fights is much tighter in amateur boxing matches than in professionals; as a result, the disqualification cases are more frequent among amateur boxers as well.
Techniques
An effective offense requires constant combination, the throwing of punches, and the placement of them so that they can get through the opponent’s defense. Some of these are shielding punches by holding on to the opponent’s gloves and arms with the gloves, moving the head up and down, side to side, and rotating or swinging the body.
Counterattacks are standard to footwork, in both attack and defense perspectives. There are only 2 major positions, and that is the orthodox position and the southpaw position.
In the orthodox stance, the left side is forward normally employed by right-hand boxers who essentially use their left hand for jabs and hooks. whereas orthodox style or southpaw, they used the left hand and foot and although the champion used his right side, the preferred fighting stance used his left side. Both of these positions have the lead hand in front of you, the opposite hand by your chin, and both your shoulders and head are bent down.
There are four fundamental punches in boxing: the jab, hook, uppercut, and straight right (or left for left-handers) and any other technique is merely a derivative of the four basic punches.
The jab is another straight punching blow that comes from the shoulder of the lead hand only. In hook the movement of the shoulder is lateral involving the lead hand; the elbow is bent and the wrist twists inward at the time of striking.
The uppercut is a punch thrown upward and may be affected with either the right or the left hand The straight right or left is thrown at the shoulder level, often following a jab.
Styles of Boxing
In bare-knuckle fighting, there was a specific emphasis on the punch force since fights went on to the last count. Stances were fluid, and not overly strict; striking included from distance as well as in close range Without a firm stance, hands were positioned in front of the fight’s body, and footwork was somewhat limited.
For example, the use of padded gloves and point point-scoring system led to changes that favored boxing skills and footwork. James J; Corbett was the first modern heavyweight who paid emphasis on skill; Jack Johnson had both skill and strength.
Jack Dempsey fought with a mean look and also fought from a low center of gravity with frequent bobbing and weaving. Joe Louis who relied more on footwork adopted a “stalking” technique in that he chased his opponents until he found the opportune moment to let go.
Post 1960 Muhammad Ali changed the dynamics for movement within the heavyweight division; he always displayed fast reflexes and, in the ring, he walked with his fists tucked, once in the right place and the hands flew into action. While punch power is not seen as Ali’s forte he possessed good hand speed and thus scored many points from combinations.
As earlier shown, there are different types of boxing that a lover of the game can engage in, and the modern boxing styles include fast lateral movements, good defense strategy, nice punches, and good counter punches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What are the consequences if a fighter does not make the weight limit?
Cancelling a fight occurs when a fighter does not gain weight in one way or the other, they can also lose the title shot regardless of the outcome of the fight.
What criteria were used to offer the weight classes?
Weight classes are established by various boxing-promoting associations that came up with standard working weight limits. One has to be within this weight before a fight.
What are the different major boxing governing bodies?
Some of them are; the WBC; World Boxing Council, WBA; World Boxing Association, IBF; International Boxing Federation, and WBO; World Boxing Organisation.
In which way do fighters transition from one weight class to the other?
They can choose to jump into a higher weight class after that fight or a series of fights, but there are specific weight measurements to be met in that specific class.
What are the boxing rules?
Some of the rules concerning the fight include All punches must land clean, clinching is prohibited and no headbutting is allowed as well as Judges using a 10-Point Must System for scoring the rounds.
What do referees and judges do?
Referees are allowed to control the players during the match while judges judge a fight according to the round produced.
Conclusion
The division and weight classes of boxing players, and regulations governing the conducting of the sport are significant classifications for sports appreciation. To avoid putting fighters at a disadvantage, or risking their safety, these classes guarantee that fighters face similar-sized fighters.
The rules thus set and followed provide necessary measures within the game and safeguard the health of the athletes. Drawing examples from the recent past, cross-over is apparent due to changes in strategies in weight classes as well as general changes in careers.
The basic principles I have postulated are absolute to keep boxing as a pure and a great sport.
