(First of two entries.) 1: a person of below-average weight, specifically a boxer in a weight category with a professional weight restriction of 135 pounds and an amateur weight limit of 132 pounds (compare featherweight and welterweight). 2: a person of minor influence or competence, such as a politician or actor who is not major enough to be called a star. 3: something considered to be very small in size or quantity; "a light meal"; "a light book".
Lite weight is one step up from no weight at all in terms of physical ability. It's the category just below lightweight that allows for fighters to compete at a high level while still being able to move around the ring. The term "lite weight" was originally used by American boxing promoters to describe their version of light heavyweight, but it has since been adopted by other countries as well. In Europe, light heavyweights are usually defined as those weighing between 80 and 100 kilograms (175 and 220 pounds), but in Japan they can be as little as 70 kilos (155 pounds). As in America, however, light heavyweights are generally ranked lower than heavyweights and given less attention by fight fans.
In North America, light heavyweights are defined as those weighing between 75 and 90 kilograms (165 and 190 pounds). This range was determined back in the day when heavyweights were believed to be more vulnerable to injury and thus deserved better ratings from doctors and managers.
For the sake of consistency, most American mixed martial arts media outlets classify lightweight participants as weighing between 146 and 155 pounds (66 and 70 kg). The Shooto Welterweight class (154 lb/70 kg) is included. After a hiatus following UFC 49, the lightweight class was reintroduced at UFC 58. Since then, it has been held approximately four times per year.
In addition to being consistent, this method also allows for fair comparison to other sports. For example, an MMA lightweight athlete could be considered light-welterweight or middleweight compared with a fighter in another sport. In fact, many successful mixed martial artists are lighter than their contemporaries in other combat sports. The most famous example is Georges St-Pierre, who was once described by Mike Tyson as "the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world", yet he only weighed 112 pounds (50 kg) at his peak.
However, other organizations place heavier limits on weight classes. The Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts allow for weight classes up to 205 pounds (93 kg), while the current UFC rules set a limit of 180 pounds (82 kg). Many top fighters have used this rule to their advantage by adding weight during fights, particularly when fighting higher-ranked opponents. For example, Forrest Griffin added 20 pounds (9 kg) for their first fight since changing rules. This allowed him to defeat Pedro Rizzo via decision.
220.4-pounds Tyson hasn't fought professionally since 2006, and he weighed 220.4 pounds, the smallest he's been in the sport since 1997. The heaviest he's weighed in his career is 252 pounds.
Tyson lost a total of 151 pounds over seven months in an effort to better handle his stress levels during fights. He started out by cutting back on food and then gradually worked his way up to 20 hours a day in the gym. His trainer, Kevin Randleman, says that when they first began working with him on this project, Tyson didn't even know what hyperbaric oxygen therapy was. They eventually showed him some research papers and that was enough for him to want to try it.
Within days of starting the treatment, Tyson reported feeling much better and within a month, he had lost 50 pounds. He continued to lose weight at a rate of about two pounds per day until he reached his final weight on March 28, 1997 - just three weeks before his next fight. Since then, he has always been in good physical condition and has never looked or felt like he was carrying too many extra pounds.
In addition to losing weight, Tyson claims that the treatment has other benefits for him.
The boxing competitions at the Olympics, boxing world championships, and other continental games are overseen by the association. The weight categories for amateur boxing in the men's, women's, and junior (15-16 years old) divisions are listed here. In the amateur ranks, it is the lightest weight category. An amateur boxer can compete at any weight but can only win one medal: a gold. Professional boxers can challenge for as many medals as they like.
Amateur boxers are divided into different weight classes. These determine how much weight a boxer must weigh to compete. For example, to compete in the light-heavyweight division, a boxer must weigh more than 60 kilograms (130 pounds).
In the professional ranks, there are seven weight classes. A super-lightweight must weigh less than 60 kg; a lightweight between 66 and 75 kg; a welterweight between 76 and 90 kg; a middleweight between 91 and 105 kg; a heavyweight over 106 kg; and a super-heavyweight over 111 kg.
Money can also be earned in non-competitive situations, such as exhibition matches or fundraisers. Non-competition awards are sometimes given out as "performances bonuses" by organizations that sanction fights, such as the WBF and WBA. These may take the form of cash prizes or merchandise vouchers.
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