According to the WBA, there is one weight division between Heavyweight (over 190 lbs.) and Light Heavyweight (over 175 lbs.). What is it?

In the world of professional boxing, the division that bridges the gap between the light heavyweight and heavyweight classes is known as cruiserweight, also frequently referred to as junior heavyweight. Historically, the light heavyweight division caps at 175 pounds. Before the cruiserweight class was established, any boxer weighing over 175 pounds was considered a heavyweight. This created a significant disparity in the heavyweight division, where much smaller athletes might face opponents who outweighed them by a considerable margin.

To address this growing size difference among fighters, the World Boxing Council (WBC) introduced the cruiserweight division in 1979, initially setting its upper limit at 190 pounds. The World Boxing Association (WBA), among other major sanctioning bodies, subsequently recognized this new weight class. This innovation provided a more equitable competitive environment for boxers who possessed the power and stature beyond light heavyweight, but who were often undersized compared to the rapidly increasing dimensions of top heavyweights.

Today, the cruiserweight division has a maximum weight limit of 200 pounds. It has become a crucial proving ground for many talented fighters, often serving as a stepping stone to the sport's most glamorous division. Legendary boxers such as Evander Holyfield and Oleksandr Usyk, for instance, first achieved undisputed champion status in the cruiserweight division before moving up to conquer the heavyweight ranks, showcasing the division's role in developing well-rounded and formidable champions.