Etymology
The first known instance of the term is from 1831, meaning 'heavyweight horseman', later 'boxer or wrestler of a certain weight' by 1896. This sense comes from earlier ''welter'', 'heavyweight horseman or boxer' from 1804, possibly from 15th century , meaning 'to beat severely'.Boxing
Professional boxing
A professional welterweight boxer's weight is greater than 140 pounds, and no more than 147 pounds (about 63.5–66.7 kg).Current world champions
Current championsCurrent world rankings
=''The Ring''
= As of April 21, 2025. Keys: : Current '' The Ring'' world champion='' BoxRec''
= .Longest-reigning world welterweight champions
Below is a list of longest-reigning welterweight champions in boxing measured by the individual's longest reign. Career-total time as champion (for multiple-time champions) does not apply.Top 10 most title defenses
Below is a list of most title defenses by welterweight champions in boxing measured by the individual's reign with the most title defenses. Career-total title defenses as champion (for multiple-time champions) does not apply.Amateur boxing
Olympic champions
The current Olympic male welterweight division is set at .Kickboxing
The weight division system is different in each organisation, so the kickboxing weight divisions of some international organizations vary: * International Kickboxing Federation (IKF), welterweight (Pro & Amateur) . * International Sport Karate Association (ISKA), welterweight . * World Kickboxing Association (WKA), welterweight (Pro) upper limit . *In Glory promotion, a welterweight division is up to . * ONE Championship, welterweight upper limit .Bare-knuckle boxing
The limit for welterweight generally differs among promotions in bare-knuckle boxing: *In Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, the welterweight division has an upper limit of . *In BKB™, the welterweight division has an upper limit of .Wrestling
Olympic wrestling
Prior to 1996, the weight limit for welterweight was 74 kg/163 lb in Olympic wrestling.Divisions in Professional Wrestling'' Wrestling-Titles.com Retrieved March 31 2023Professional wrestling
In the US and Canada, there was a 145 lb limit in the early 20th century at least until the early 1920s. In Mexico, the commission's definition of the welterweight weight class is between and . In the United Kingdom, the 1947 Admiral-Lord Mountevans rules set out seven weight divisions with maximum weight limits and called for champions to be crowned of each limit. This included Welterweight 11st 11 lb () An earlier system of weight classes with different levels and more divisions - including Welterweight - existed under the 1930 All-In rules.Mixed martial arts
The welterweight limit, as defined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and the Association of Boxing Commissions is .Current champions
This table is not always up to date. Last updated May 10, 2025.Other sports
Other sports to include a welterweight division include the following: * Muay Thai has fixed its weight division similarly to boxing. ** International Kickboxing Federation (IKF): muay Thai welterweight (pro and amateur) 142.1-147 lb or 64.59-66.8 kg ** World Muay Thai Council (WMC), welterweight range is from 140 to 147 lb or 63.5 to 66.6 kg ** World Muay Thai Federation (WMF, the official amateur organization), fixed welterweight from for adult and junior * The official rules of shoot boxing define welterweights as between . * In Olympic taekwondo, welterweight falls between . At the weight classes for the Olympic games it is between .References
External links
{{Boxing weight classes Boxing weight classes Kickboxing weight classes Professional wrestling weight classes Taekwondo weight classes Wrestling weight classes * *