Bantamweight is a weight class in combat sports and weightlifting. For boxing, the range is above 115 lb (52.2 kg) and up to 118 lb (53.5 kg). In kickboxing, a bantamweight fighter generally weighs between 53 and 55 kilograms (117 and 121 lb). In MMA, bantamweight is 126–135 lb (57.2–61.2 kg).
The name for the class is derived from bantam chickens. Brazilian jiu-jitsu has an equivalent Rooster weight.
Boxing
The first title fight with gloves was between Chappie Moran and Ray Lewis in 1889. At that time, the limit for this weight class was 110 pounds. In 1910, however, the British settled on a limit of 118.
From 2018 to 2019, a 8 men tournament called World Boxing Super Series was held to find the best bantamweight in the world. The tournament was won by Naoya Inoue, who defeated Nonito Donaire in the final.
On December 13, 2022, Naoya Inoue became the first undisputed champion of the division in the four-belt era.
Current world champions
Current The Ring world rankings
As of March 9, 2025.
Keys:
- C Current The Ring world champion
Longest reigning world bantamweight champions
Below is a list of longest reigning bantamweight champions in boxing measured by the individual's longest reign. Career total time as champion (for multiple time champions) does not apply.
- Active Title Reign
- Reign has ended
Lineal Champions
- George Dixon (1890) Vacated
- Jimmy Barry (1897-1899) Retired
- Terry McGovern (1899) Vacated
- Harry Harris (1901) Vacated
- Harry Forbes (1901-1903)
- Frankie Neil (1903-1904)
- Joe Bowker (1904-1905) Vacated
- Jimmy Walsh (1905-1909)
- Jimmy Reagan (1909)
- Monte Attell (1909-1910)
- Frankie Conley (1910-1911)
- Johnny Coulon (1911-1914)
- Kid Williams (1914-1917)
- Pete Herman (1917-20)
- Joe Lynch (1920-21)
- Pete Herman (1921) (2)
- Johnny Buff (1921-1922)
- Joe Lynch (1922-1924)
- Abe Goldstein (1924)
- Eddie Martin (1924-1925)
- Charley Phil Rosenberg (1925-1927) Vacated
- Al Brown (1931-1935)
- Baltasar Sangchili (1935-1936)
- Tony Marino (1936)
- Sixto Escobar (1936-1937)
- Harry Jeffra (1937-1938)
- Sixto Escobar (1938-1939) (2) Vacated
- Lou Salica (1940-1942)
- Manuel Ortiz (1942-1947)
- Harold Dade (1947)
- Manuel Ortiz (1947-1950)
- Vic Toweel (1950-1952) South Africa
- Jimmy Carruthers (1952-1954) Retired
- Robert Cohen (1954-1956)
- Mario D'agata (1956-1957)
- Alphonse Halimi (1957-1959)
- Jose Becerra (1959-1960) Retired
- Eder Jofre (1961-1965)
- Masahiko Harada (1965-1968)
- Lionel Rose (1968-1969)
- Ruben Olivares (1969-1970)
- Jesus Castillo (1970-1971)
- Ruben Olivares (1971-1972) (2)
- Rafael Herrera (1972)
- Enrique Pinder (1972-1973)
- Romeo Anaya (1973)
- Arnold Taylor (1973-1974)
- Soo-Hwan Hong (1974-1975)
- Alfonso Zamora (1975-1977)
- Jorge Luján (1977-1980)
- Julian Solis (1980)
- Jeff Chandler (1980-1984)
- Richard Sandoval (1984-1986)
- Jose Canizales (1986)
- Bernardo Piñango (1986-1987) Vacated
- Naoya Inoue (2022-2023) Vacated
Olympic Champions
World Champions
Pan American Champions
European Champions
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. or 53.22 kg–55.45 kg.
In ONE Championship, the bantamweight division limit is 65.8 kg (145 lb).
Bare-knuckle boxing
The bantamweight division limit generally differs among bare-knuckle boxing promotions:
- In Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, the bantamweight division has an upper limit of 135 lb (61 kg).
- In BKB, the bantamweight division has an upper limit of 73 kg (161 lb).
Lethwei
In International Lethwei Federation Japan, the bantamweight division is up to 60 kg (130 lb). In International Lethwei Federation Japan, Yuta Hamamoto is the Bantamweight Champion.
The World Lethwei Championship recognizes the bantamweight division with an upper limit of 54 kg (119 lb). In World Lethwei Championship, Souris Manfredi is the Bantamweight Champion.
Mixed martial arts
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). In Shooto, the limit is 56 kg (123.4 lb).
Current champions
These tables were last updated in May 2023.
Muay Thai
In Muay Thai, bantamweight is 115–118 pounds (52.2-53.5 kg). A notable Muai Thai bantamweight fighter is Randy Thong Phoun Phim.
Wrestling
Wrestling also has similar weight classes including bantamweight.
See also
- Reigning boxing champions
References
External links
