Expert: Lian Shoemake - 9/30/2007

Question
I know over the years wight classes have changed. Do you know how wight classes were there originally? Before the junior welterweights junior middleweight ect...

Answer
Hi Frank,
Thanks for the question.
There used to be only eight (8) weight divisions in boxing:
1. Flyweight  2. Bantamweight  3. Featherweight  4. Lightweight  5. Welterweight  6. Middleweight  7. Light Heavyweight  8. Heavyweight.

Eventually, the "junior" divisions started creeping in, and now there are no less than 17 weight divisions, and at least 4 sanctioning bodies (WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF).
That creates a potential for 68 world champions, as opposed to only 8 in the good old days.

I hope this helps, Frank.
Thanks again for writing!
Regards,
Lian