FEATURE: A look at the cruiserweight division

The cruiserweight, or junior heavyweight division as it is known in South Africa, was established in December 1979 by the World Boxing Council.

The name cruiserweight was originally used to describe light heavyweights in Britain, and emanated from the description of a battleship of a lighter build rather than of maximum size.

The first bout in the weight division was between Mate Parlov from Yugoslavia and American Marvin Camel at Las Vegas on 8 December 1979 which ended in a split 15 round draw.

In a return match Camel outpointed Parlov to become the first WBC champion.

On 13 February 1982 Puerto Rican Ossie Ocasio became the first WBA champion when he outpointed Robbie Williams from South Africa in a clash for the vacant title.

Marvin Camel was the first IBF champion when he stopped Roddy MacDonald in the fifth round on 13 December 1983 and the first WBO champion was Boone Pultz who outpointed Magne Havnaa over 12 rounds on 3 December 1989.

From 8 December 1979 to November 1981 the weight limit was 86,15kg (190lb) and then at the WBC Convention in 1981 the WBC increased the limit to 88,45kg (195lb), while the WBA remained at 86,15kg (190lb).

In November 1988 the WBC reduced the weight from 88,45kg to 86,15kg the same as the IBF and WBA.

However, in October 2003 the WBC and WBA increased the weight limit to 90,719kg (200lb) and soon afterwards these limits were adopted by the IBF and WBO.

The cruiserweight division battled for a number of years to gain recognition with the first champion of quality being Evander Holyfield followed by outstanding fighters like Carlos De Leon, Johnny Nelson, Virgil Hill, Dwight Muhammad Qawi and David Haye.

According to the South African Boxing Act, 2001, No. 368, dated 26 March 2004, the weight limit for junior heavyweights is listed as 86,15kg (190lb)

The first fight in South Africa in the newly created junior heavyweight division for the SA title was between Freddy Rafferty and Gideon Hlongwa, with Rafferty winning on a third round stoppage.

Among the stand-out fighters in the division are Jacob Mofokeng, Sebastiaan Rothmann, Danie Venter and Thabiso Mchunu.

Possibly one of South Africa’s best cruiserweights is Kevin Lerena who has won the WBF Africa, WBC Youth, South African and WBA Pan African titles.

Lerena, who is highly ranked by most of the world organisations, is the current IBO cruiserweight champion and has defended his belt six times.