Separation into different groups ensures a fighter who weighs less doesn’t go up against one who weighs nearly twice as much. It also keeps the focus on skill, technique, and performance rather than size and stature.

The first known instance of the term is from 1831, meaning 'heavyweight horseman', later 'boxer or wrestler of a certain weight' by 1896. This sense comes from earlier welter, 'heavyweight horseman or boxer' from 1804, possibly from c. 15th century welt, meaning 'to beat severely'.

The featherweight division originated in the 1860s under the London Prize Ring Rules, with a set weight limit of 118 lbs. However, the English ABA established the weight at 126 division boxing lbs, followed by a few more changes until the NSC officially modified it back in America to 126 lbs. The first featherweight champ in the world is considered Irishman Ike Weir, who defeated Frank Murphy on January 13th, 1890.

The featherweight division sits between bantamweight and lightweight weight classes in boxing. Boxers competing in this class must weigh no more than 126 pounds (57 kg). During the early years of the division, this weight requirement varied.

Super Welterweight fighters bring an enhanced level of power to the ring, with a focus on delivering forceful punches. Boxers in this division are typically more muscular and robust, capable of executing powerful blows while still retaining a degree of speed and technical skill. The fighting style in the super welterweight class often involves a mix of aggressive power boxing and strategic maneuvering.

San Francisco’s "Little Hebrew" was a prodigious talent ready before the end of his first pro year for the likes of former champion George Dixon three times and a Harry Forbes who would shortly win the Bantamweight crown. Forbes defeated him on points; Attell held Dixon to a pair of draws and beat him the third time out. While noted for slickness, Attell could also bang when needed as evidenced with over half his official wins coming inside the route. Forbes would not stay ahead of him for long. From 1902-03, they would fight three more times with two draws and a fifth-round stop in Attell’s favor; the win would be his first defense of the Featherweight crown after claiming the vacant strap with a 20-round decision over Johnny Reagan in September 1903. Over the course of the reign, a reign occasionally in high dispute, Attell racked up a string of strong wins over the best Bantamweights and Featherweights of the time. Champions like Jimmy Walsh and Frankie Neil joined Forbes in the losers circle multiple times by decision and knockout while Lightweight greats Battling Nelson and Ad Wolgast could do no better than fight to even terms. Hall of Famer Owen Moran was held to a pair of draws totaling 48 rounds in two attempts at the crown and even the great Johnny Kilbane had to suffer defeat before he could solve the old as found in his locker. It was stated that the officials would undergo testing for both boxers after the fight. In the fight, Pacquiao defeated Margarito via unanimous decision, using his superior handspeed and movement to win his eighth world title in as many divisions. In the penultimate round, Pacquiao implored referee Laurence Cole several times to stop the fight as Margarito had a swollen face and a large cut beneath the right eye, but the referee let the fight continue. Margarito had to be taken directly to the hospital after the fight, where it was discovered his orbital bone had been fractured; he had to undergo surgery.