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. 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 "welt", meaning "to beat severely", from 15th century. Boxing Professional boxing A professional welterweight boxer's weight is greater than 140 pounds (≈63 kg), but no more than 147 pounds (≈67 kg). Current world champions Current champions Current world rankings The Ring As of December, 10, 2022. 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 of 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 . 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 August 21, 2022. 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):