A new weight class, light cruiserweight, has been approved by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC).

The division, which bridges the largest gap in weight classes between light heavyweight (175lbs) and cruiserweight (200lbs), will come into effect on January 1, 2027.

The new weight class offers light heavyweights and cruiserweights an opportunity to compete at a more comfortable weight
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The new weight class offers light heavyweights and cruiserweights an opportunity to compete at a more comfortable weight

Light cruiserweight will have a championship limit of 187lbs and will be contested across Area, English, Celtic and British titles.

As none of the four major sanctioning bodies currently recognise light cruiserweight, this won't affect the world scene, at least for now.

Esteemed trainer Joe Gallagher did, however, propose the new weight class to the WBC at the alphabet body's annual convention in Bangkok in December.

Speaking at the convention last year, Gallagher said: "If you look at the smaller weight classes, they go up by three or four pounds until you get up to featherweight.

"Then it's five, six and seven pounds up to light heavyweight; then it's a jump of 25 up to cruiserweight.

"What you're left with are fighters that are too big for light heavyweight but not big enough to be cruiserweight. 

"If we create a weight class in the middle, it makes it much safer."

Renowned coach and promoter Pat Barrett was the first to introduce the idea to the Board's General Secretary Robert Smith, with Adam Booth, Jamie Moore, Andy Lee and Robert McCracken quickly following suit.

The decision was then approved unanimously by all BBBofC-licensed trainers.

There was some debate over the exact limit, with 185lbs being the first number put forward.

Light cruiserweight belts will be up for grabs from Area championships up to British titles
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Light cruiserweight belts will be up for grabs from Area championships up to British titlesCredit: Getty

However, eventually all of the relevant parties settled on 187lbs as a more exact midpoint between 175lbs and 200lbs.

Boxing's second most recent weight class

Light cruiserweight has certainly received more support than the recently-erected bridgerweight division that was created by the WBC in November 2020.

The weight class sits between cruiserweight and heavyweight, and has a limit of 224lbs.

While the WBA introduced its own belt in 2023, the sanctioning body scrapped it in June, citing an effort to reduce the number of world champions and streamline its weight classes.

Neither the IBF nor the WBO ever recognised the division.

Ryad Mehry remains the the sole WBC bridgerweight champion.

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