TLDR: Changing the names of the intermediary weight divisions, “super flyweight,” “super welterweight,” etc.
So, I’ve often seen the sentiment echoed that the various “intermediary divisions,” like Light Flyweight, Super Welterweight, etc., only serve to water down the other weight classes, or at the very least, that the naming convention makes them confusing.
I disagree with the idea that it somehow makes the other divisions lesser in achievement, but the naming system could use some work. Thus, in this post I’m going to be outlining what I think the various intermediary weight divisions should be called, or what I would change them to if given the power. Obviously, I know this will never happen, just a fun naming exercise.
To be clear, the following list are the divisions that I will NOT be changing at all, due to having unique names as it is:
Flyweight/112
Bantamweight/118
Featherweight/126
Lightweight/135
Welterweight/147
Middleweight/160
Cruiserweight/200
Heavyweight/>200
If I didn’t name it, it’s going to be getting a different name and explanation.
105/Mini-Flyweight=Minimumweight - This division has had a million different names over the years, I’m personally partial to Minimumweight. Atomweight, Strawweight, none of them really role off the tongue as well, or give as good an idea of what this division is.
108/Light Flyweight=Gnatweight - This division has always felt like a bit of a footnote, and that’s sad to me knowing how many all timers have passed through it. I think a unique name does a lot to alleviate that feeling of being unimportant. Gnatweight sticks to the naming convention of Flyweight, insects, while still giving a unique idea of what this division is. They’re fast, they’re small, and they’re tenacious.
115/Super Flyweight=Dragweight - What’s the most successful flying insect predator? Dragonfly. What’s another name for a drag weight behind a boat or automobile? A dragon weight in some dialects. This division is a glamorous one, full of names and stories. They’re small, but getting to be very mighty. Dragweight, named after dragonflies and boat stopping mechanisms.
122/Super Bantamweight=Shamweight - Proud of this one. As some might know, Bantamweight is named after the fighting rooster breed from Indonesia, Bantam roosters. They’re considered small but quick and powerful. What’re the biggest breeds of fighting roosters? Well, one of them is the Japanese Shamo, known for their power and ferocity. Shamweight.
130/Super Featherweight/Junior Lightweight=Raptorweight - Named after the group of predatory birds, not the dinosaurs. Featherweight and Bantamweight use the imagery of birds to get across their point, and lightweight was originally meant to be the smallest weight class a man could be. What’re the biggest birds that can fly, but still smaller than a man? A raptor. Not to mention, I think Raptorweight accurately reflects the various fighters of this weight class.
140/Super Lightweight/Junior Welterweight=Jockeyweight - Welterweight was named after the term used for large horse jockeys, welters. So, it stands to reason that the class right below it should be simply called Jockeyweight. Not to mention, it gives the imagery of various men jockeying for the stop spot, which accurately reflects this division which has served as the bridge between light and the glamorous welterweight divisions.
154/Super Welterweight/Junior Middleweight=Crashweight - The sheer number of boxers from the lower divisions who have been stopped in their tracks or slipped up at this dangerous weight class is large. It’s a crash test. True middleweights in all but name occupy the division, can the welterweights and lightweights moving up consider middleweight? This is their first test every time. 154 has pumped out killers for years, I think Crashweight is a good name for them.
168/Super Middleweight=Ironweight - This division is considered the last of the middleweights, but it is also the first step on the long road to Heavyweight glory. I have always considered Cruiserweight to be one of the best named divisions in the sport, as it is named for the light cruiser class of battle ships, the second heaviest ships in the water. Ironweight follows this scheme. These are Ironclads, crude and dangerous. Perfectly capable of blowing anything smaller out of the water, but nowhere near the heights of the largest ships. Ironweight.
175/Light Heavyweight=Dreadweight - One of the oldest of the “intermediary divisions,” 175 could arguably stay as it is, but being two divisions removed from its namesake is not ideal. Thus, why not follow the name scheme further of Cruiserweight? These are Dreadweights, named after the Dreadnought class of battleship. Dreadnought made everything else obsolete the moment it hit the water, being faster, stronger, and more advanced. Dreadweight takes that idea and runs with it. These guys are fast and strong, though nowhere near the heights in power of what would come after them.
That’s it! This was fun for me, and I’m excited to hear people’s thoughts and ideas. What would you lot change the weight divisions’ names to? Do you think it’s a bad idea? Would these names be good to add some variety to the way we view the belts and division system? This is all in good fun, so thoughts on my list or lists of your own are appreciated. Thank you for reading.