middleweight

[mid-l-weyt]

noun

1. a boxer or other contestant intermediate in weight between a welterweight and a light heavyweight, especially a professional boxer weighing up to 160 pounds (72.5 kilograms).

adjective

1. Boxing.,  of or relating to middleweights.

   the middleweight division.

2. (of a horse, especially a hunter) able to carry up to 185 pounds (83.9 kilograms).

middleweight

/ ˈmɪdəlˌweɪt /

noun

1. 1. a professional boxer weighing 154–160 pounds (70–72.5 kg)

   2. an amateur boxer weighing 71–75 kg (157–165 pounds)

   3. ( as modifier )

      a middleweight contest

2. a wrestler in a similar weight category (usually 172–192 pounds (78–87 kg))

Word History and Origins

Origin of middleweight¹

First recorded in 1870–75; middle + weight

Example Sentences

Against Crawford, Álvarez lost all his super middleweight titles in a fight in which he was vastly outclassed.

From Los Angeles Times

He was due to fight Eisa Al Dah at middleweight on 2 December in Dubai.

From BBC

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Terence “Bud” Crawford jumped two weight classes to set a career high on the scales at Friday’s weigh-in ahead of his super middleweight bout against Mexican superstar Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez.

From Los Angeles Times

Nina Hughes won her bantamweight world title in four fights, Claressa Shields had three middleweight world titles in seven bouts.

From BBC

Despite his highly publicized problems, Chávez won the World Boxing Council middleweight title in 2011 before losing the belt the following year.

From Los Angeles Times