middleweight

American  

[mid-l-weyt] / ˈmɪd lˌweɪt /

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).

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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 British  

/ 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))

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Etymology

Origin of middleweight

First recorded in 1870–75; middle + weight

Example Sentences

The streamer has recently increased its sports offerings, with a super middleweight clash between Terence Crawford and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez in Las Vegas last September viewed by 41 million people.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

Mike McCallum:, external Jamaican boxer was a world champion at light-middleweight, middleweight and light-heavyweight.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

Mark Kaylor:, external Reached the middleweight quarter-finals for Great Britain at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

The Slough fighter drew with WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames last February, in an underwhelming performance over 12 rounds.

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

They did not even remember that he was middleweight boxing champion.

From "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway