Bantamweight: A Comprehensive Overview

Bantamweight is a weight class in combat sports and weightlifting. This article delves into the specifics of this weight class across various disciplines, including boxing, kickboxing, MMA, and Muay Thai.

Bantamweight in Boxing

For boxing, the bantamweight range is above 115 lb (52.2 kg) and up to 118 lb (53.5 kg). The first gloved world title fight in this division was fought between George Dixon and Nunc Wallace on June 27, 1890, with Dixon winning and thus becoming the inaugural world bantamweight champion. At the time, the limit for this weight class was 110 pounds.

From 2018 to 2019, an eight-man tournament called the World Boxing Super Series was held to determine the best bantamweight in the world.

Top 5 Super Bantamweight Boxers of All Time

George Dixon

George Dixon, the inaugural world bantamweight champion.

Longest Reigning Bantamweight Champions in Boxing

Below is a list of longest reigning bantamweight champions in boxing measured by the individual's longest reign:

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Rank Champion Reign
1 Manuel Ortiz 7 years, 6 months, 2 days
2 Eder Jofre 4 years, 3 months, 14 days
3 Naoya Inoue 4 years, 2 months, 1 day
4 Panama Al Brown 4 years, 1 month, 21 days
5 Hozumi Hasegawa 4 years, 1 month, 2 days
6 Tim Austin 3 years, 10 months, 14 days
7 Shinsuke Yamanaka 3 years, 9 months, 25 days
8 Orlando Canizales 3 years, 8 months, 16 days
9 Veeraphol Sahaprom 3 years, 6 months, 12 days
10 Anselmo Moreno 3 years, 5 months, 24 days

Bantamweight in Kickboxing

In kickboxing, a bantamweight fighter generally weighs between 53 kg (116 lb) and 55 kg (120 lb). However, some governing bodies have slightly different classes. For example, the International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) Bantamweight division (professional and amateur) is 117.1 lbs.-122 lbs. In International Lethwei Federation Japan, the bantamweight division is up to 60 kg (130 lb). The World Lethwei Championship recognizes the bantamweight division with an upper limit of 54 kg (119 lb).

Bantamweight in MMA

In MMA, bantamweight is usually 126-135 pounds (57.2-61.2 kg). In ONE Championship, the bantamweight division limit is 65.8 kg (145 lb).

Bantamweight in Muay Thai

In Muay Thai, bantamweight is 115-118 pounds (52.2-53.5 kg).

Muay Thai

Muay Thai fighter.

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