Here is all you need to know about the WBC’s new boxing weight class, the bridgerweight division and its weight limits
Professional boxing will soon have a new weight class and championship according to the WBC. The World Boxing Council (WBC) announced in November 2020 that they will be adding an 18th weight class to professional boxing.
What is the bridgerweight boxing division in WBC’s new weight class, meaning, rules, weight limit and champions
In 2020, the WBC launched the bridgerweight category (weights 190–224 pounds), which drew criticism from a boxing community already replete with titles from four organisations in seventeen weight divisions.
Since its establishment, the bridgerweight category has only resulted in two championship fights, demonstrating its lack of success. Lukasz Rozanski became the champion bridgerweight for the WBC.
The news that Lawrence Okolie of Britain will face Lukasz Rozanski for the WBC bridgerweight title on May 24 in Poland may cause as many people to Google the weight class as the opponent. So here is all you need to know about the new division.
A look at bridgerweight division
In contrast to lighter weight divisions like cruiserweight and super middleweight, the bridgerweight division has seen a gradual rise in popularity. The new class is the second-heaviest to recognise its own world champion once the WBC stages matches to select the first champion or give the belt to a fighter. It will be situated immediately below the largest weight class, heavyweight, and above cruiserweight.
The World Boxing Council (WBC) has been using the bridgerweight weight class in professional boxing since 2020, while the World Boxing Association (WBA) has been using it since 2023. Boxers weighing 200 pounds (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb) to 224 pounds (102 kg; 16 st 0 lb) are eligible for this division.
The only organisations that still accept the bridgerweight division, which the WBC established in 2020, are the WBC and the WBA.
Inspiration behind bridgerweight division name
The four-year-old sister of six-year-old American Bridger Walker was rescued from a stray dog in July 2020, and Walker is the inspiration behind the weight’s name. After the story gained widespread attention and won Sulaiman over, he was dubbed a “honorary WBC champion” and given a title belt.
ANNOUNCED 🚨
Lawrence Okolie will aim to become a two-weight world champion when he challenges Lukasz Rozanski for the WBC World Bridgerweight Title in Poland on May 24th 🥊
Can he do it? 👀#RozanskiOkolie | #BoxingNews pic.twitter.com/omHqJDmMON
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) March 21, 2024
Upcoming bridgerweight division fight
On May 24, Lawrence Okolie will compete against Lukasz Rozanski in Poland for the WBC bridgerweight title. Since Chris Billam-Smith defeated him for the WBO cruiserweight title in May 2023, the former champion of Britain and Europe has not competed.