What is "welterweight"

Welterweight \Wel"ter*weight`\, n.

1. (Horse Racing) A weight of 28 pounds (one of 40 pounds is called a heavy welterweight) sometimes imposed in addition to weight for age, chiefly in steeplechases and hurdle races.

2. A boxer or wrestler whose weight is intermediate between that of a lightweight and that of a middleweight.

1831, "heavyweight horseman," later "boxer or wrestler of a certain weight" (1896), from earlier welter "heavyweight horseman or boxer" (1804), possibly from welt (v.) "beat severely" (c.1400).\n\n... but at the end of the first German mile, Nature gave way, and this excellent mare was obliged to "knock under" to the extraordinary exertions she had made, and to the welter weight she carried, upwards of 13 stone.

["The Sporting Magazine," September 1831]

a. (alternative spelling of welter-weight English) n. (alternative spelling of welter-weight English)

1. n. a weight of 28 pounds; sometimes imposed as a handicap in a horse race (such as a steeple chase or hurdle race)

2. an amateur boxer who weighs no more than 148 pounds

3. a wrestler who weighs 154-172 pounds

4. a professional boxer who weighs between 141 and 147 pounds

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. In most sports that use it, welterweight is heavier than lightweight but lighter than middleweight.

The welterweight division in mixed martial arts refers to a number of different weight classes:

• The UFC's welterweight division, which groups competitors within 156 to 170 lb (71 to 77 kg)
• Shooto's welterweight class, which refers to competitors between 145 and 155 lb (65.8 and 70.3 kg)
• ONE Championship's welterweight limits between 171 and 185 lb (77.2 to 83.9 kg)