Amateur boxing adds weight classes

THE International Boxing Association (Aiba) will increase the number of boxing weight classes and reviews allowed to participating teams at all its competitions from 1 August. The men’s weight categories will go from 10 to 13, and women’s will rise from 10 to 12.

Aiba undertook a widespread consultation of stakeholders before settling on the new weight classes, its secretary general, István Kovács, said in his recent report to the Aiba board.

“We believe this step will allow a greater pool of boxers to participate in the respective weight categories where they feel most strong and comfortable,” he said.

The changes have been made for the safety of boxers by ensuring easier weight management and equal fighting, he said.

For men, the featherweight (57 kg) class has been added back to the fold along with the light middleweight (71 kg) and cruiserweight (86 kg) classes.

The bantamweight has been brought back to 54 kg from the current 56 kg.

The women’s divisions have added the light flyweight at 50 kg, and the light middleweight class at 70 kg.

“We have collected all proposals from national federations, as well as from respected Aiba committees. Each voice has been heard. This innovation will help boxing to develop from grassroots to elite,” the secretary general said.

Amateur boxing’s global governing body said the number of reviews per team has been increased from two to three.

The fee of US$1 000 (about N$14 370) for failed bout reviews has been scrapped.

This was done in a bid to improve transparency in judging and to curb contentious decisions of past events.

“We are implementing this crucial change now while widespread reform of Aiba’s whole competition structure is in process,” Aiba president Umar Kremlev said.

Under this system, the team manager or the head coach of the losing boxer gets 15 minutes after the decision is announced to submit a protest, and to complete the paperwork for it in the 30 minutes thereafter.

All decisions, except for knockouts, abandonments and disqualifications, can be challenged.

The weight classes are as follows:

Women – Minimum weight (45-48 kg) light flyweight (50); flyweight (52); bantamweight (54); featherweight (57); lightweight (60); light welterweight (63); welterweight (66); light middleweight (70); middleweight (75); light heavyweight (81); heavyweight (+81);

Men – Minimum weight (46-48kg); flyweight (51), bantamweight (54); featherweight (57); lightweight (60); light welterweight (63,5); welterweight (67); light middleweight (71); middleweight (75); light heavyweight – 80); cruiserweight (86); heavyweight (92); and super heavyweight (+92 ).

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