Lightweight

The word lightweight usually refers to a class of athletes in a particular sport, based on their weight. It is also a slang term, indicating insignificance or ineptitude, for example having a low tolerance for liquor.

Professional boxing

The lightweight is the 130 pounds (59 kilograms) to 135 pounds (61 kilograms) weight class in the sport of boxing. In England, it equates to the weight bracket of 9 st 4 lb - 9 st 9 lb.

Notable lightweight boxers includes Bummy Davis, Benny Leonard, Henry Armstrong, Joe Gans, Tony Canzoneri, Carlos Ortiz, Ike Williams,Roberto Duran, Alexis Arguello, Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, Hector "Macho" Camacho, Julio César Chávez, Miguel Angel Gonzalez, Oscar De La Hoya, Sugar Shane Mosley, Colin Smith, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Diego Corrales,Manny Pacquiao, and the current Ring Magazine champion, Joel Casamayor.

Professional Champions

Amateur Champions

Olympic Champions

• 1904 –
• 1908 –
• 1920 –
• 1924 –
• 1928 –
• 1952 –
• 1956 –
• 1960 –
• 1964 –
• 1968 –
• 1972 –
• 1976 –
• 1980 –
• 1984 –
• 1988 –
• 1992 –
• 1996 –
• 2000 –
• 2004 –

Pan American Champions

• 1951 – Oscar Gallardo (ARG)
• 1955 – Miguel Ángel Péndola (ARG)
• 1959 – Abel Laudonio (ARG)
• 1963 – Roberto Caminero (CUB)
• 1967 – Enrique Regueiferos (CUB)
• 1971 – Luis Dávila (PUR)
• 1975 – Chris Clarke (CAN)
• 1979 – Adolfo Horta (CUB)
• 1983 – Pernell Whitaker (USA)
• 1987 – Julio Gonzáles (CUB)
• 1991 – Julio Gonzáles (CUB)
• 1995 – Julio Gonzáles (CUB)
• 1999 – Mario César Kindelán Mesa (CUB)
• 2003 – Mario César Kindelán Mesa (CUB)

Kickboxing Lightweight

• International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) Lightweight (Pro & Amateur) 127.1 lbs. - 132 lbs. or 57.77 kg - 60 kg

Women's divisions also use this weight class, but usually at a much lower weight than the men's divisions.

Rowing

Lightweight rowing was a category entered into the Olympic sport, originally due to countries of smaller stature competing with an unfair disadvantage, as rowing favors the taller athlete who has more leverage.