light heavyweight

noun

|Updated on: 16 Jul 2018

Definition of light heavyweight

: a boxer in a weight division having a maximum limit of 175 pounds for professionals and 178 pounds for amateurs — compare heavyweight, middleweight

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Recent Examples of light heavyweight from the Web

Cormier, 39, is the current UFC light heavyweight champion and has only tasted defeat during his illustrious nine-year career against one man: Jon Jones.

— justin barrasso, SI.com, "Q&A: UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic on Daniel Cormier, Firefighting and More," 6 July 2018
When he was arrested, Tanner was an undefeated light heavyweight boxer from Gary who had made it on to ESPN.

— becky jacobs, Post-Tribune, "Gary boxer convicted of leading gang was denied clemency by Obama, now seeks release under Trump," 6 July 2018
Hopkins, a middleweight and light heavyweight boxing champion, engaged his services frequently.

— bonnie l. cook, Philly.com, "Leon Tabbs, 86, renowned cut man in boxing," 2 July 2018
The fight took place at heavyweight but both men are more natural light heavyweights and are likely to continue to compete there in the coming years.

— todd martin, latimes.com, "MMA rankings: It was a good month for Ryan Bader," 30 May 2018
But for White, the main event of the week clearly took place inside the octagon, where the undisputed light heavyweight and heavyweight championships were defended on the same card for the first time since 2003.

— dan gelston, The Seattle Times, "Miocic, Cormier defend heaviest titles at UFC 220," 20 Jan. 2018
The team eventually included boxers in the flyweight to light heavyweight divisions found at Camp Pendleton, Miramar and Twentynine Palms.

— carl prine, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Marine boxer bludgeons his way to Best Boxer title in London bouts," 28 May 2018
Fans were treated to two matches – Taka Michinoku defending his light heavyweight title over Scott Taylor and the Headbangers beating Los Boricuas – before Austin and Michaels had a showdown in the ring.

— justin barrasso, SI.com, "The ’Mania Supercolumn: 34 Notes, Quotes, and Anecdotes for WrestleMania 34," 6 Apr. 2018
Sullivan’s father, John Sullivan, boxed in the Navy and won the Bermuda light heavyweight championship in 1982.

— tom ignudo, Philly.com, "For Cherry Hill West wrestler Max Sullivan, fighting roots run deep," 26 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'light heavyweight.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of light heavyweight

1903

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT Defined for English Language Learners

light heavyweight

noun

Definition of light heavyweight for English Language Learners

: a fighter who is in a class of boxers with an upper weight limit of 175 pounds (79.5 kilograms) : a boxer who is heavier than a middleweight and lighter than a heavyweight