{{short description|Weight class in combat sports}} '''Welterweight''' is a weight class in combat sports. Originally the term ''welterweight'' was used only in boxing, but other combat sports like muay Thai, taekwondo, and mixed martial arts also use it for their own weight division system to classify the opponents. If used, welterweight is typically between lightweight and middleweight.

==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 {{c.}} 15th century {{lang|enm|welt}}, meaning 'to beat severely'.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/welterweight|title=welterweight &#124; Origin and meaning of welterweight by Online Etymology Dictionary|website=www.etymonline.com}}</ref>

==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&nbsp;kg).<ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=Classes & Divisions|url=https://www.sportsrec.com/12682793/list-of-boxing-weight-classes|access-date=5 February 2021}}</ref> <br> ====Current world champions==== {{main|List of world welterweight boxing champions}} '''Current champions''' {| class="wikitable" |- !Sanctioning body !Reign began !Champion !Record !Defenses |- |WBA |August 1, 2025 |Rolando Romero |17–2 (13 KO) |align=center|0 |- |WBC |February 21, 2026 |Ryan Garcia |25–2 (1) (20 KO) |align=center|0 |- |IBF |September 13, 2025 |Lewis Crocker |22–0 (11 KO) |align=center|0 |- |WBO |November 22, 2025 |Devin Haney |{{nowrap|33–0 (1)}} (15 KO) |align=center|0 |}

====Current world rankings====

=====''The Ring''===== As of February 28, 2026.<ref name=ring-ww-ratings>{{cite web|url=https://ringmagazine.com/en/ring-ranking|title=The Ring ratings: welterweight|access-date=11 August 2025}}</ref>

Keys: :{{Color box|gold|C|border=darkgray}} Current ''The Ring'' world champion

{| class="wikitable" |- !Rank !Name !Record !Title(s) |- |bgcolor=gold|C |{{font color|gray|vacant}} | | |- |1 |Devin Haney |33–0 (1) (15 KO) |WBO |- |2 |Brian Norman Jr. |28–1 (22 KO) | |- |3 |Eimantas Stanionis |16–1 (1) (9 KO) | |- |4 |Ryan Garcia |25–2 (1) (20 KO) |WBC |- |5 |Rolando Romero |17–2 (13 KO) |WBA |- |6 |Rohan Polanco |17–0 (10 KO) | |- |7 |Shakhram Giyasov |18–0 (11 KO) | |- |8 |Raúl Curiel |17–0–1 (14 KO) | |- |9 |Jack Catterall |32–2 (14 KO) | |- |10 |Tiger Johnson |16–0 (7 KO) | |}

=====''BoxRec''=====

{{As of|2026|02|28}}.<ref name=boxrec-ww-ratings>{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/ratings?r%5Brole%5D=proboxer&r%5Bsex%5D=M&r%5Bdivision%5D=Welterweight&r%5Bcountry%5D=&r%5Bstance%5D=&r%5Bstatus%5D=a&r_go=|title=BoxRec ratings: welterweight, active|access-date=11 April 2022}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |- !Rank !Name !Record !Title(s) |- |1 |Devin Haney |33–0 (1) (15 KO) |WBO |- |2 |Liam Paro |27–1 (16 KO) | |- |3 |Brian Norman Jr. |28–1 (1) (22 KO) | |- |4 |Jack Catterall |32–2 (14 KO) | |- |5 |Rohan Polanco |17–0 (10 KO) | |- |6 |'''Karen Chukhadzhian''' |26–3 (14 KO) | |- |7 |Rolando Romero |17–2 (13 KO) |WBA |- |8 |Vadim Musaev |14–0 (9 KO) | |- |9 |Ryan Garcia |25–2 (1) (20 KO) |WBC |- |10 |Julian Rodriguez |25–1 (15 KO) | |}

====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. {| class="sortable wikitable " |- !!! Name !! Title reign !! Title recognition !! Successful defenses !! Beaten opponents !! Fights |- | 1. || Felix Trinidad || data-sort-value="{{Age in days |month1=6 |day1=09 |year1=2018 }}" | {{Age in years, months, weeks and days |month1=6 |day1=09 |year1=2018}} || IBF || style="text-align:center;"| 15 || style="text-align:center;"| 15|| <ref name="crawford-record">{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/447121|title=Professional boxing record: Felix Trinidad |access-date=18 January 2022}}</ref> |- | 2. || Terence Crawford || 6 years, 2 months, 14 days || WBO || style="text-align:center;"| 7 || style="text-align:center;"| 7 || <ref name=trinidad-record/> |- | 3. || Errol Spence Jr. || 6 years, 2 months and 3 days || IBF, WBC || style="text-align:center;"| 6 || style="text-align:center;"| 5 || <ref name="spence-record">{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/629465|title=Professional boxing record: Errol Spence Jr|access-date=10 January 2021}}</ref> |- | 4. || Antonio Margarito || 5 years, 3 months, 28 days || WBO || style="text-align:center;"| 7 || style="text-align:center;"| 7 || <ref name=margarito-record>{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/011677|title=Professional boxing record: Felix Trinidad|access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref> |- | 5. || Ike Quartey || 4 years, 7 months, 30 days || WBA || style="text-align:center;"| 7 || style="text-align:center;"| 7 || <ref name="quartey-record">{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/001491|title=Professional boxing record: Ike Quartey|access-date=23 November 2022}}</ref> |- | 6. || Freddie Cochrane || 4 years, 7 months, 03 days || NYSAC, NBA || style="text-align:center;"| 0 || style="text-align:center;"| 0 || <ref name="cochrane-record">{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/11205|title=Professional boxing record: Freddie Cochrane|access-date=8 July 2024}}</ref> |- | 7. || José Nápoles || 4 years, 6 months, 2 days || WBA, WBC || style="text-align:center;"| 10 || style="text-align:center;"| 8 || <ref name=napoles-record/> |- | 8. || Sugar Ray Robinson || 4 years, 1 month, 26 days || NYSAC, NBA || style="text-align:center;"| 5 || style="text-align:center;"| 5 || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/230217577 |title=Argus-Leader from Sioux Falls, South Dakota on February 15, 1951 · Page 11 |publisher=Newspapers.com |date= 15 February 1951|accessdate=2022-03-03}}</ref> |- | 9. || Floyd Mayweather Jr. || 4 years, 1 month, 18 days || WBC || style="text-align:center;"| 5 || style="text-align:center;"| 4 || <ref name=mayweather-jr-record>{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/000352|title=Professional boxing record: Floyd Mayweather Jr.|access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref> |- | 10. || Pernell Whitaker || 4 years, 1 month, 6 days || WBC || style="text-align:center;"| 8 || style="text-align:center;"| 7 || <ref name=-whittaker-record/> |- | 11. || Pipino Cuevas || 4 years and 16 days || WBA || style="text-align:center;"| 11 || style="text-align:center;"| 10 || <ref name=cuevas-record/> |- |}

====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. {| class="sortable wikitable " |- !!! Name !! Title reign !! Title recognition !! Successful defenses !! Beaten opponents !! Fights |- | 1. || Henry Armstrong || 2 years, 4 months, 3 days || NYSAC, NBA, Ring || style="text-align:center;"| 19 || style="text-align:center;"| 15 || <ref name=armstrong-record>{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/009018|title=Professional boxing record: Felix Trinidad|access-date=23 November 2022}}</ref> |- | 2. || Félix Trinidad || 6 years, 8 months, 14 days || IBF || style="text-align:center;"| 15 || style="text-align:center;"| 15 || <ref name=trinidad-record>{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/3254|title=Professional boxing record: Felix Trinidad|access-date=23 November 2022}}</ref> |- | 3. || Pipino Cuevas || 4 years and 16 days || WBA || style="text-align:center;"| 11 || style="text-align:center;"| 10 || <ref name=cuevas-record>{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/002224|title=Professional boxing record: Pipino Cuevas|access-date=23 November 2022}}</ref> |- | 4. || José Nápoles || 4 years, 6 months, 2 days || WBA, WBC, Ring || style="text-align:center;"| 10 || style="text-align:center;"| 8 || <ref name=napoles-record>{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/009025|title=Professional boxing record: José Nápoles|access-date=23 November 2022}}</ref> |- | 5. || Jack Britton || 3 years, 7 months, 13 days || World || style="text-align:center;"| 9 || style="text-align:center;"| 8 || <ref name=britton-record>{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/11897?offset=0|title=Professional boxing record: Jack Britton|access-date=23 November 2022}}</ref><ref name=ibhof-book2>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/TheBoxingRegisterInternationalBoxingHallOfFameOfficialRecordBook|work=The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall Of Fame Official Record Book |publisher=International Boxing Hall Of Fame |title=Jack Britton, p. 80|format=PDF |access-date=23 November 2022}}</ref> |- | 6. || Pernell Whitaker || 4 years, 1 month, 6 days || WBC || style="text-align:center;"| 8 || style="text-align:center;"| 7 || <ref name=-whittaker-record>{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/000555|title=Professional boxing record: Pernell Whitaker|access-date=23 November 2022}}</ref> |- | 7. || Simon Brown || 3 years, 7 months, 6 days || IBF || style="text-align:center;"| 8 || style="text-align:center;"| 8 || <ref name="gavilán-record">{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/009014|title=Professional boxing record: Kid Gavilán|access-date=23 November 2022}}</ref> |- | 8. || Kid Gavilán || 3 years, 5 months, 2 days || NYSAC, NBA, Ring || style="text-align:center;"| 7 || style="text-align:center;"| 6 || <ref name="gavilán-record"/> |- | 9. || Donald Curry || 3 years, 7 months, 14 days || WBA || style="text-align:center;"| 7 || style="text-align:center;"| 7 || <ref name=curry-record>{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/612|title=Professional boxing record: Donald Curry|access-date=23 November 2022}}</ref> |- | 10. || Ike Quartey || 4 years, 7 months, 30 days || WBA || style="text-align:center;"| 7 || style="text-align:center;"| 7 || <ref name="quartey-record"/> |- |}

===Amateur boxing=== ====Olympic champions==== {{main|List of Olympic medalists in boxing#Welterweight|l1=List of Olympic medalists in welterweight boxing}}

The current Olympic male welterweight division is set at {{cvt|63.5|-|71|kg|lb}}.<ref name="auto"/>

==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) {{cvt|142.1|-|147|lb|disp=or}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=IKF WEIGHT CLASSES|url=http://www.ikfkickboxing.com/weights.htm|work=IKFKickboxing.com|access-date=20 April 2013}}</ref> *International Sport Karate Association (ISKA), welterweight {{cvt|142.1|-|147|lb|disp=or}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=INTERNATIONAL SPORT KARATE & KICKBOXING ASSOCIATION |url=http://www.iskaworldhq.com/images/stories/pdfs/florida_commission_amateur_kickboxing_rules.pdf |work=ISKAWorldHQ.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310214839/http://iskaworldhq.com/images/stories/pdfs/florida_commission_amateur_kickboxing_rules.pdf |access-date=20 April 2013 |archive-date=10 March 2016}}</ref> *World Kickboxing Association (WKA), welterweight (Pro) upper limit {{cvt|147.7|lb|disp=or}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=WKA USA - Official Rulebook|url=http://www.wkausa.com/professional-rules-and-regulations.html#2-rule-8-weight-divisions|work=WKAUSA.com|access-date=20 April 2013|archive-date=29 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829035006/http://www.wkausa.com/professional-rules-and-regulations.html#2-rule-8-weight-divisions|url-status=dead}}</ref> *In Glory promotion, a welterweight division is up to {{cvt|170|lb|disp=or}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gloryworldseries.com/en/fighters/rankings/ww|title=Fighters Rankings|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021055734/http://www.gloryworldseries.com:80/en/fighters/rankings/ww|work=gloryworldseries.com|archive-date=21 October 2015}}</ref> *ONE Championship, welterweight upper limit {{convert|83.9|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.

==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 {{convert|165|lb|kg|abbr=on}}. *In BKB™, the welterweight division has an upper limit of {{convert|83|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}.

==Wrestling== ===Olympic wrestling=== Prior to 1996, the weight limit for welterweight was 74&nbsp;kg/163&nbsp;lb in Olympic wrestling.<ref name="titles">[https://www.wrestling-titles.com/weights.html''Weight Divisions in Professional Wrestling'' Wrestling-Titles.com Retrieved March 31 2023]</ref> Since that time, amateur wrestling has named its weight classes by upper weight limit in kilograms.

===Professional wrestling=== In the US and Canada, there was a 145&nbsp;lb limit in the early 20th century at least until the early 1920s.<ref name="titles" />

In Mexico, the {{lang|es|lucha libre}} commission's definition of the welterweight weight class is between {{convert|70|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|78|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.

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&nbsp;lb ({{convert|165|lb|kg|abbr=on|disp=x| or ~}})<ref name=bleach>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/404251-the-history-of-british-wrestling-part-one |title=The History of British Wrestling: Part One |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=2010-06-10 |access-date=2012-07-09}}</ref><ref>[http://wrestlingfurnace.site/formalities/weights/weights.htm The Wrestling Furnace Picture Gallery: Classic British Professional Wrestling: THE WEIGHT DIVISIONS in British Professional Wrestling]</ref> An earlier system of weight classes with different levels and more divisions - including Welterweight - existed under the 1930 All-In rules.<ref>''Blue Blood on the Mat'' - Atholl Oakeley, S Paul, 1971 - Appendix:Rules of All In Professional Wrestling</ref>

===Catch wrestling=== From the 1870s to the 1910s, the weight limit was 10st 8&nbsp;lb (148&nbsp;lb) for Lancashire catch-as-catch-can wrestling under the rules of ''Sporting Chronicle'' (Manchester, England).<ref name="titles" />

==Mixed martial arts== {{main|Welterweight (MMA)}} The welterweight limit, as defined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-467.html#NAC467Sec7956|title=Nevada Revised Statutes: CHAPTER 467 - UNARMED COMBAT|access-date=2007-02-20|work=www leg state nv us}}</ref> and the Association of Boxing Commissions<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abcboxing.com/unified_mma_rules.html |title=UNIFIED RULES OF MMA |work=ABCBoxing.com |access-date=2012-07-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705135723/http://www.abcboxing.com/unified_mma_rules.html |archive-date=2012-07-05 }}</ref> is {{cvt|155|to|170|lb|kg|1.0}}.

===Current champions=== This table is not always up to date. Last updated November 15, 2025. Not up to date.

{| class="wikitable" |- ! scope="col" | Organization ! scope="col" | Reign began ! scope="col" | Champion ! scope="col" | Record ! scope="col" | Title defenses |- | UFC | November 15, 2025 | {{flagicon|Russia}} Islam Makhachev | 28&ndash;1 (5{{abbr|KO|Knockouts}} 13{{abbr|SUB|Submissions}}) | style="text-align: center;" | 0 |- | Bellator MMA | June 22, 2024 | {{flagicon|Russia}} Ramazan Kuramagomedov | 13&ndash;0 (2KO 6SUB) | style="text-align: center;" | 0 |- | ONE Championship | October 25, 2019 | {{flagicon|Kyrgyzstan}} Kiamrian Abbasov | 23&ndash;5 (8KO 4SUB) | style="text-align: center;" | 1 |- | Fight Nights Global | April 6, 2019 | {{flagicon|RUS}} Dmitry Bikrev | 13&ndash;3 (9KO 1SUB) | style="text-align: center;" | 3 |- | KSW | April 22, 2023 | {{flagicon|Poland}} Adrian Bartosiński | 16&ndash;1 (11KO 2SUB) | style="text-align: center;" | 3 |- | Titan FC | March 15, 2019 | {{flagicon|USA}} Michael Graves | 9&ndash;1 (4KO 2SUB) | style="text-align: center;" | 1 |- | ACA | April 26, 2019 | {{flagicon|RUS}} Albert Tumenov | 22&ndash;4 (14KO) | style="text-align: center;" | 1 |- | Legacy Fighting Alliance | August 21, 2020 | {{flagicon|USA}} Jaleel Willis | 13&ndash;2 (5KO) | style="text-align: center;" | 0 |- | Cage Warriors | April 26, 2025 | {{flagicon|ENG}} Justin Burlinson | 10-2 (3KO 7SUB) | style="text-align: center;" | 0 |}

==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&nbsp;lb or 64.59-66.8&nbsp;kg ** World Muay Thai Council (WMC), welterweight range is from 140&nbsp;to&nbsp;147&nbsp;lb or 63.5&nbsp;to&nbsp;66.6&nbsp;kg ** World Muay Thai Federation (WMF, the official amateur organization), fixed welterweight from {{cvt|143.3|to|147.7|lb|kg|order=flip}} for adult and junior * The official rules of shoot boxing define welterweights as between {{cvt|65|and|67|kg|lb}}. * In Olympic taekwondo, welterweight falls between {{cvt|74|and|80|kg|lb}}. At the weight classes for the Olympic games it is between {{cvt|68|and|80|kg}}.

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links==

{{Boxing weight classes}}

Category:Boxing weight classes Category:Kickboxing weight classes Category:Professional wrestling weight classes Category:Taekwondo weight classes Category:Wrestling weight classes * *