middleweight

noun mid·dle·weight \ ˈmi-dᵊl-ˌwāt \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of middleweight

: one of average weight; specifically : a boxer in a weight division having a maximum limit of 160 pounds for professionals and 165 pounds for amateurs — compare light heavyweight, welterweight

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Recent Examples of middleweight from the Web

Here are two of the best boxers of their era, Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez, two middleweight knockout artists whose first matchup was a highly skilled, compulsively watchable affair.

— greg bishop, SI.com, "Boxing Is Blowing Its Marquee Matchup Because the Sport Can't Get Out of Its Own Way," 20 Mar. 2018
An April 10 commission meeting will decide if his May 5 rematch with middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin will proceed.

— lance pugmire, latimes.com, "Canelo Alvarez temporarily suspended by Nevada commission," 24 Mar. 2018
The middleweight fighter, who hasn’t lost a fight in 26 professional bouts, began mixing it up when someone in his group left a Louis Vuitton bag unattended on the table.

— stephen a. crockett jr., The Root, "Boxer Jermall Charlo Gets Robbed of $150,000 in Cash and Jewelry by Women Who Are Not IG Models," 5 Mar. 2018
The undercard includes WBC Super middleweight champion David Benavidez facing Ronald Gavril and Yordenis Ugas fighting Ray Robinson.

— Philly.com, "North Philadelphia boxer Danny Garcia takes the ring Saturday against Brandon Rios," 16 Feb. 2018
Another appetizing bout is the May 19 title defense by World Boxing Council light-heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson (29-1, 24 KOs) versus former super-middleweight champion Badou Jack (22-1-2) in Canada.

— lance pugmire, latimes.com, "Leo Santa Cruz, Abner Mares have their long-awaited rematch date: June 9 at Staples Center," 25 Jan. 2018
This week in boxing history Feb. 2, 1970: Carlos Monzon retains his middleweight title following a sixth-round KO of Antonio Aguilar.

— branson wright, cleveland.com, "Cleveland fighters to appear on SHOWTIME Friday: Boxing Report (photos)," 31 Jan. 2018
The bout was on the undercard of the WBC and IBF super middleweight fight between Claressa Shields and Tori Nelson that was broadcast on Showtime.

— star-telegram, "Boxing: Texan Jesse Hernandez wins super bantamweight fight | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 13 Jan. 2018
His daughter Freeda boxed in her own right as a middleweight in the early '00s.

— craig hlavaty, Houston Chronicle, "Houston boxing legend and grilling pioneer George Foreman turns 69 years old today," 10 Jan. 2018

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

First Known Use of middleweight

1847

MIDDLEWEIGHT Defined for English Language Learners

middleweight

noun

Definition of middleweight for English Language Learners

sports : a fighter who is in a class of boxers with an upper weight limit of 160 pounds (72 kilograms) : a boxer who is heavier than a lightweight and lighter than a heavyweight

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