The super middleweight division is one of the most exciting weight classes in professional boxing, acting as the bridge between the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.
Here is a breakdown of how the division works, its weight limits, and its current landscape.
⚖️ Weight Limits
To compete in this division, boxers must meet specific weight requirements during their official weigh-in:
Maximum Weight: 168 pounds (76.2 kg)
Minimum Weight: Over 160 pounds (72.6 kg)
🥊 History and Purpose
The division was officially created in the 1980s by major boxing sanctioning bodies. Before its introduction, fighters who outgrew the 160-pound middleweight limit were forced to move straight up to the 175-pound light heavyweight division. The 15-pound gap was often too large for smaller fighters, so the 168-pound class was established to provide a fairer, more competitive stepping stone.
The division gained massive popularity in the 1990s and 2000s, famously highlighted by legendary champions like Sugar Ray Leonard, Roy Jones Jr., James Toney, Joe Calzaghe, and Carl Froch.