Best Boxing Divisions to Bet On
Boxing features highly competitive divisions. These divisions make the game easy to understand as fights are always under specific classes. Boxing divisions, otherwise known as weight classes, aim to group fighters according to their weights. This way, boxers can compete favourably since they'll be fighting other boxers within their weight range. If you're looking to understand how all these work and how to profit from the best boxing division matches, we take you covered here in Betpack.
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Here, we'll be giving you details of the various boxing divisions available. We'll then go ahead to handpick the best divisions for bettors looking to bet on boxing.
Let's get down to it then!
Why Do Boxing Divisions Exist?
Boxing is often filled with so much input of energy and aggression. The primary reason boxing divisions exist is to ensure that matches are fair and boxers have an excellent opportunity to win.
If divisions do not exist, many boxers may not stand a chance ever to win a fight. This is because they will always be knocked down by far bigger opponents.
Weight is a major factor in both professional and amateur boxing; therefore, it's only fair to have different weight categories so that boxers always have a chance. Since the fight would be among boxers with similar weights, the match's outcome would depend more on the skills of each fighter then.
These are the major reasons why boxing divisions exist. Initially, there were only eight divisions. Over the years, several other weight divisions have been added to boxing. However, the original eight divisions garner the most attention from boxing fans.
Currently, there are 17 major divisions in professional boxing ranging from the minimum-weight class to the heavyweight category. These are the divisions recognized by all the major governing bodies in boxing, including WBO, WBC, IBF, WBA.
We'll walk you through these divisions and highlight the best ones to place boxing bets on.
Boxing Divisions in Professional Boxing
A breakdown of the different weight classes in boxing and their limits include:
- Minimum-weight, 105 pounds (48 kg)
- Light flyweight, 108 pounds (49 kg)
- Flyweight, 112 pounds (51 kg)
- Super flyweight, 115 pounds (52 kg)
- Bantamweight, 118 pounds (53.5 kg)
- Super bantamweight, 122 pounds (55 kg)
- Featherweight, 126 pounds (57 kg)
- Super featherweight, 130 pounds (59 kg)
- Lightweight, 135 pounds (61 kg)
- Super lightweight, 140 pounds (63.5 kg)
- Welterweight, 147 pounds (67 kg)
- Super welterweight, 154 pounds (70 kg)
- Middleweight, 160 pounds (72.5 kg)
- Super middleweight, 168 pounds (76 kg)
- Light heavyweight, 175 pounds (79 kg)
- Cruiserweight, 200 pounds (91 kg)
- Heavyweight, unlimited
Boxers often increase in weight and rise through the ranks. It's a great pride for fighters to win the belts at different divisions. Manny Pacquiao is a legend in this category, having won the world title at over eight weight divisions.
Aside from all the above weight categories, there's a concept called catch-weight, introduced to account for variation in fighters' weights. Catch-weight is a weight limit not officially defined in the 17 boxing divisions.
Fighters may agree to meet each other at a weight not covered in the divisions above. They carry out weigh-ins before the fight night to ensure the agreed weight is met. Fighters who do not meet the catch-weight may be disqualified from the match.
Understanding Boxing Divisions with the Best Betting Odds
We'll be delving deeper into the most prestigious of all the boxing divisions. These are the weight divisions you should set your eyes on as a bettor.
Heavyweight Division
The heavyweight class is the highest weight division in professional boxing. There is no specific upper limit for heavyweight fighters. Heavyweight title fights are considered the most prestigious of all world title bouts.
Such bouts offer some of the best boxing odds at boxing betting sites. A good example of this is the fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua on September 25, 2021.
Usyk defeated Joshua by a unanimous decision, stripping Joshua of his world heavyweight title. Usyk became the IBF, WBO, and Super WBA heavyweight champion with that win.
Light Heavyweight Division
This is another prestigious boxing division for fighters between the weight range of 168 and 175 pounds. This weight division falls between the super middleweight and the cruiserweight class. It is one of those divisions where you get to see a lot of action and excitement.
Many top boxers, including Floyd Patterson and Evander Holyfield, successfully clinched the light heavyweight title. They have thereafter made their bouts to become heavyweight champions.
Middleweight Boxing Division
The original middleweight division has evolved into three different weight categories, including junior middleweight, middleweight, and super middleweight. These divisions have also attracted a lot of attention in boxing.
The standard middleweight division has an upper weight limit of 160 pounds. The junior middleweight and super middleweight have 154 and 168 pounds, respectively, as the upper weight limit. Bettors will find yet another betting opportunity on these popular weight categories, especially during a major fight.
Welterweight Boxing Division
The main welterweight division lies between the junior welterweight (also known as super lightweight) and the super welterweight. Welterweights have a weight limit of 147 pounds, while super welterweights are pegged at 154 pounds.
Top boxers that have ruled this division include Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Money Mayweather, Shawn Porter, and Timothy Bradley. Mayweather won the welterweight championship title at all major boxing bodies, including the WBA, WBO, IBF, and WBC. He remains a legend in welterweight boxing.
Even though Mayweather has since retired, bettors still enjoy continuous action in the welterweight class. Fights in this division always feature profitable odds for bettors at sports betting sites.
Lightweight Boxing Division
The lightweight division is one of the original eight divisions in boxing. It's another top division to place boxing wagers on. The super lightweight was introduced in 1959 to account for the wide difference between the lightweight and the welterweight class.
Lightweight boxing is for fighters within the range of 130 and 135 pounds. On the other hand, the super lightweight division encompasses boxers with weights between 135 and 140 pounds.
Weight title holders in these divisions have to regularly defend their titles when challenged by contenders. These matches offer great opportunities with several betting markets at online top 100 bookmakers in the UK.
Asides from the above divisions, bettors can also find great opportunities at other divisions in boxing. Bettors should also keep a close eye on top boxers as they move from division to division, bagging top titles.
A good example of this is Floyd Mayweather, who won 15 major championship titles within the super featherweight division and the light-middleweight.
