middleweight

noun mid·dle·weight \ ˈmi-dᵊl-ˌwāt \

|Updated on: 6 Jun 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

Former middleweight boxing champion Jake LaMotta passed away at 95.

— greg morago, Houston Chronicle, "First look: Nobu Houston," 30 May 2018
Now, astronomers appear to have located some missing middleweights.

— daniel clery, Science | AAAS, "Discovery of middleweight black holes could explain origin of million-solar-mass monster," 30 May 2018
Here is a breakdown on Barkley from Stats Inc.: Born in the Bronx, Barkley is the son of former WBC middleweight champion Iran Barkley.

— cleveland.com, "Saquon Barkley goes to New York Giants No. 2 overall in 2018 NFL Draft," 26 Apr. 2018
With strong promotion, Joshua-Wilder would likely challenge live-gate sales of last year's Canelo Alvarez-Gennady Golovkin middleweight-title bout that generated $27 million at T-Mobile.

— lance pugmire, latimes.com, "Anthony Joshua-Deontay Wilder talks focused on placing the fight in the U.S.," 16 May 2018
Belfort was knocked out by Machida in the second round of their middleweight fight, the opening of the event’s main card at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro.

— Fox News, "Vitor Belfort knocked out by Lyota Machida in last career fight," 13 May 2018
The fight, for the interim WBC middleweight title, will be broadcast on Showtime.

— peter lim, Houston Chronicle, "Jermall Charlo, Hugo Centeno Jr. to battle for interim WBC middleweight title," 20 Apr. 2018
The clash was for Golovkin’s world middleweight titles and both fighters know that competing against each other provides the potential for paydays far bigger than from any other opponent.

— martin rogers, USA TODAY, "Canelo Alvarez receives six-month ban for positive test," 18 Apr. 2018
Romero, a top contender for the UFC middleweight championship, will instead face Luke Rockhold for the interim title at UFC 221 in Australia after it was announced Saturday that current champ Robert Whittaker had been injured.

— jay reddick, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Yoel Romero pulled off UFC Orlando card; fight with David Branch canceled," 13 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

in the meaning defined above

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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