Combat sports have a weight division called bantamweight. The weight limit for boxing is above 115 lb (52.2 kg) and up to 118 lb (53.5 kg). A bantamweight fighter in kickboxing typically weighs between 53 and 55 kilograms (117 and 121 lb).
The term "bantam chicken" refers to small chickens, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu has a weight that is comparable to that of a rooster, thus its name “bantamweight.” Tommy Kelly's victory over Chappie Moran in New Jersey in 1988 via a four-round points decision is considered the first title match in the bantamweight division.
Boxing Bantamweight Overview
The range for professional boxing's bantamweight division is over 115 lb (52.2 kg) and up to 118 lb (53.5 kg).
Jason Moloney is the WBO (World Boxing Organization) bantamweight champion. These champions represent the pinnacle of the bantamweight division in their respective organizations.
History of the Bantamweight Class in Pro Boxing
In the 1890s, the ABA first created the bantamweight division. Later, it was revealed that under other rules, including the London Prize Ring Rules and The Queensberry Rules, the weight restriction varied between 105 lb and 116 lb. In 1909, the NSC gave an official approval with the 118 lb weight restriction (53.52 kg).
The first modern bantamweight champion is Brazilian Eder Jofre. In 1963, he defeated Katsutoshi Aoki to win the WBA and WBC versions of the belt. In 1984 and 1989, respectively, the WBO and the IBF released their own variations. With 16 title defenses, American boxer Orlando Canizalez currently holds the record for the longest title reign.
History has produced several notable bantamweight champions, including Tommy Kelly, Panama Al Brown, Orlando Canizalez, George Dixon, Sixto Escobar, Eder Jofre, Carlos Zarate, Ruben Olivares, Tim Austin, Rafael Marquez, and Hozumi Hasegawa.
List of Current Pro Boxing Bantamweight Champions
| Division/ Weight | WBA(World Boxing Association) | WBC(World Boxing Council) | IBF(International Boxing Federation) | WBO(World Boxing Organization) | IBO(International Boxing Organization) |
| Bantamweight | Takuma Inoue | Junto Nakatani | Ryosuke Nishida | Yoshiki Takei | Prince Patel |
Latest Results from Bantamweight Pro Boxing
Takuma Inoue defeated Shō Ishida to defend his WBA bantamweight title on May 6, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan.
Pro Boxing Bantamweight Rankings 2024
| Rank | BoxRec | TBRB | The Ring | WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO |
| C | — | Naoya Inoue | vacant | Takuma Inoue | Junto Nakatani | Ryosuke Nishida | Yoshiki Takei |
| 1 | Junto Nakatani | Emmanuel Rodríguez | Junto Nakatani | Antonio Vargas | Vincent Astrolabio | Vacant | Daigo Higa |
| 2 | Takuma Inoue | Jason Moloney | Ryosuke Nishida | Seiya Tsutsumi | Petch Sor Chitpattana | Vacant | David Cuellar Contreras |
| 3 | Ryosuke Nishida | Nonito Donaire | Takuma Inoue | Daigo Higa | Alejandro Santiago | Seiya Tsutsumi | Christian Medina Jimenez |
| 4 | Yoshiki Takei | Vincent Astrolabio | Yoshiki Takei | Jonathan Javier Rodriguez | Juan Martinez Ayala | Reymart Gaballo | Antonio Vargas |
| 5 | David Cuellar Contreras | Lee McGregor | Emmanuel Rodríguez | Sho Ishida | David Cuellar Contreras | Christian Medina Jimenez | Jason Moloney |
| 6 | Seiya Tsutsumi | Gary Antonio Russell | Jason Moloney | Victor Santillan | Jason Moloney | Srisaket Sor Rungvisai | Landi Ngxeke |
| 7 | Jason Moloney | Alejandro Santiago | Vincent Astrolabio | Tenshin Nasukawa | Emmanuel Rodríguez | Melvin Lopez | Seiya Tsutsumi |
| 8 | Daigo Higa | Ryosuke Nishida | Alejandro Santiago | Lawrence Newton | Keita Kurihara | Dylan Price | Saul Sanchez |
| 9 | Emmanuel Rodríguez | Kai Chiba | Nonito Donaire | Eros Correa | Daigo Higa | Daigo Higa | Van Thao Tran |
| 10 | Vincent Astrolabio | Paul Butler | Paul Butler | Jerwin Ancajas | Paul Butler | Keita Kurihara | Reymart Gaballo |
Pro-Boxing Weight Divisions
FAQs On Pro-Boxing Bantamweight Rankings and Champion
A. The weight range for the bantamweight division is over 115 lb (52.2 kg) and up to 118 lb (53.5 kg).
A. As of August 2024, Takuma Inoue holds the WBA bantamweight title.
A. Takuma Inoue of Japan is considered the best bantamweight division as of August 2024.
A. Yes, Naoya Inoue is Takumo Inoue’s brother.
