Bantamweight

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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.[1] Brazilian jiu-jitsu has an equivalent Rooster weight.

Boxing[edit]

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.[2]

On December 13, 2022, Naoya Inoue became the first undisputed champion of the division in the four belt era.

Current world champions[edit]

Sanctioning body Reign began Champion Record Defenses
WBA April 8, 2023 Takuma Inoue 19–1 (5 KO) 1
WBC February 24, 2024 Junto Nakatani 27–0 (20 KO) 0
IBF August 12, 2023 Emmanuel Rodríguez 22–2–0–1 (13 KO) 0
WBO May 13, 2023 Jason Moloney 26–2 (19 KO) 1

Current The Ring world rankings[edit]

As of January 5, 2024.[3]

Keys:

 C  Current The Ring world champion
Rank Name Record Title(s)
C vacant
1 Jason Moloney 26–2 (19 KO) WBO
2 Emmanuel Rodríguez 22–2–0–1 (13 KO) IBF
3 Alexandro Santiago 28–3–5 (14 KO) WBC
4 Vincent Astrolabio 19–4 (14 KO)
5 Nonito Donaire 42–8 (28 KO)
6 Paul Butler 36–3 (17 KO)
7 Ryosuke Nishida 8–0 (1 KO)
8 Takuma Inoue 18–1 (4 KO) WBA
9 David Cuellar 25–0 (17 KO)
10

Daigo Higa

21–2–1 (19 KO)

Longest reigning world bantamweight champions[edit]

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.

Name Title reign Title recognition Successful defenses Beaten opponents Fights
1. Anselmo Moreno 6 years, 3 months, 26 days WBA 12 11 [4]
2. Veeraphol Sahaprom 6 years, 3 months, 17 days WBC 14 11 [5]
3. Orlando Canizales 6 years, 3 months, 16 days IBF 16 15 [6]
4. Shinsuke Yamanaka 5 years, 9 months, 9 days WBC 12 11 [7]
5. Tim Austin 5 years, 6 months, 26 days IBF 9 9 [8]
6. Hozumi Hasegawa 5 years, 14 days WBC 10 10 [9]
7. Panama Al Brown 4 years, 9 months, 28 days NYSAC, NBA, IBU 10 8 [10][11]
8. Eder Jofre 4 years, 6 months NBA, WBA, WBC 8 8 [12]
9. Manuel Ortiz 4 years, 4 months, 29 days World 15 11 [13]
  Active Title Reign
  Reign has ended

Amateur[edit]

Only one boxer has ever held the Olympic and World Amateur bantamweight titles simultaneously, Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba, who managed the feat twice in 2001 and 2005.

Olympic Champions[edit]

World Champions[edit]

Pan American Champions[edit]

European Champions[edit]

Kickboxing[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

These tables were last updated in May 2023.

Organization Reign began Champion Record Defenses
Men
UFC Aug 19, 2023 Sean O’Malley[14] 18–1 (12KO 1SUB) 1
Bellator May 7, 2021 Sergio Pettis[15] 22–5 (4KO 4SUB) 1
Rizin FF N/A Vacant N/A N/A
ONE Championship February, 2023 Fabrício Andrade<[16] 9-2 (1) (5KO 2SUB 1NC) 0
AMC Fight Nights October 14, 2022 Sabit Zhusupov 15-3 (1) (6KO 3SUB 1NC) 0
Cage Warriors October 7, 2022 Michele Martignoni 8–1 (2) (2KO 3SUB 2NC) 0
ACA March 26, 2022 Oleg Borisov 25–6 (12KO 1SUB) 0
Brave CF November 11, 2022 Brad Katona 12–2 (1KO 3SUB) 1
Legacy Fighting Alliance October 14, 2022 Muin Gafurov 18-4 (10KO 7SUB) 0
Women
UFC July 30, 2022 Amanda Nunes 22–5 (13KO 4SUB) 0
Invicta FC January 18, 2023 Talita Bernardo 10-4 (6SUB) 0

Muay Thai[edit]

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[edit]

Wrestling also has similar weight classes including bantamweight.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Bantamweight and Featherweight, New Pinoy Niche Weight Classes?".
  2. ^ Mullan, Harry (1996). The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Boxing. London, England: Carlton Books. p. 178. ISBN 0-7858-0641-5.
  3. ^ "The Ring Bantamweight Ratings". The Ring. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Professional boxing record: Anselmo Moreno". Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Professional boxing record: Veeraphol Sahaprom". Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  6. ^ "Orlando Canizales, p. 366" (pdf). The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall Of Fame Official Record Book. International Boxing Hall Of Fame. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  7. ^ "Professional boxing record: Shinsuke Yamanaka". Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  8. ^ "Professional boxing record: Tim Austin". Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  9. ^ "Professional boxing record: Hozumi Hasegawa". Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  10. ^ "Professional boxing record: Panama Al Brown". Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  11. ^ "Panama Al Brown, p. 84" (pdf). The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall Of Fame Official Record Book. International Boxing Hall Of Fame. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  12. ^ "Professional boxing record: Eder Jofre". Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  13. ^ "Manuel Ortiz, p. 648" (pdf). The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall Of Fame Official Record Book. International Boxing Hall Of Fame. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  14. ^ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com.
  15. ^ "Bellator MMA".
  16. ^ "Athlete Rankings".

External links[edit]