Section 4: Players & Officials
Weight Divisions
The WBO recognizes seventeen (17) weight divisions for world championship competition:
- Mini Flyweight: up to 105 lbs (47.627 kg)
- Light Flyweight: up to 108 lbs (48.988 kg)
- Flyweight: up to 112 lbs (50.802 kg)
- Super Flyweight: up to 115 lbs (52.163 kg)
- Bantamweight: up to 118 lbs (53.525 kg)
- Super Bantamweight: up to 122 lbs (55.338 kg)
- Featherweight: up to 126 lbs (57.153 kg)
- Super Featherweight: up to 130 lbs (58.967 kg)
- Lightweight: up to 135 lbs (61.235 kg)
- Super Lightweight: up to 140 lbs (63.503 kg)
- Welterweight: up to 147 lbs (66.678 kg)
- Super Welterweight: up to 154 lbs (69.853 kg)
- Middleweight: up to 160 lbs (72.575 kg)
- Super Middleweight: up to 168 lbs (76.204 kg)
- Light Heavyweight: up to 175 lbs (79.379 kg)
- Cruiserweight: up to 200 lbs (90.719 kg)
- Heavyweight: over 200 lbs (90.719 kg), no upper limit
Rankings and Contenders
- The WBO maintains rankings of fifteen (15) contenders in each weight division, determined by an independent WBO World Ratings Committee.
- Rankings are updated monthly based on fighter activity, quality of opposition, recent results, and overall merit. The committee operates independently from the WBO executive and championship committees.
- Regional title holders (WBO Latino, WBO Oriental, WBO Asia-Pacific, WBO Africa, WBO European, WBO International) may earn advancement in the world rankings through successful defenses and quality performances.
- A fighter who has not competed within twelve (12) months may be removed from the rankings at the discretion of the ratings committee.
WBO Super Champion
The WBO may designate a champion as a "Super Champion" when that champion holds titles from multiple major sanctioning bodies (undisputed status) or is recognized as the lineal champion in a weight division. The Super Champion designation provides the following benefits:
- Exemption from immediate mandatory defense obligations, allowing the champion to pursue unification bouts or significant voluntary defenses.
- An interim WBO champion may be established to maintain activity in the division while the Super Champion pursues unification.
- The Super Champion retains priority over the interim champion and may reclaim the regular WBO title upon returning to defend within the division.
Officials
- Referee: One referee shall be assigned to officiate the contest. The referee must be licensed, experienced in championship-level contests, and approved by both the WBO and the local boxing commission. The referee has sole authority to stop the bout, administer counts, and enforce the rules inside the ring.
- Judges: Three (3) judges shall score the contest. Judges must be licensed and approved by both the WBO and the local boxing commission. Judges shall be positioned at separate locations around the ring to ensure independent perspectives.
- WBO Supervisor: A WBO-appointed supervisor shall be present at all WBO championship contests to ensure compliance with WBO rules and regulations. The supervisor serves as the WBO's representative and has authority over all matters relating to the WBO championship.
- Timekeeper: One official timekeeper shall keep time for all rounds and rest intervals. A secondary timekeeper is recommended as a backup.
- Ringside Physician: At least one licensed physician must be present at ringside throughout the contest, with the authority to advise the referee on medical matters and to recommend stoppage.
Seconds (Corner Team)
- Each contestant is permitted a maximum of four (4) seconds, including the chief second (trainer).
- Only one second may be inside the ring during the rest period. All seconds must vacate the ring and the ring apron at the ten-second warning before the start of each round.
- Seconds are prohibited from coaching or providing instructions during the round. Verbal instructions from the corner between rounds are permitted.