The WBA has announced it will no longer recognize the bridgerweight division as part of its wider effort to reduce the number of world champions.
Bridgerweight was created to sit between cruiserweight and heavyweight, but the division has struggled to gain real traction across boxing. Once the remaining already-approved bouts at the weight are completed, the WBA says it will stop sanctioning bridgerweight contests.
“The WBA remains committed to its goal of reducing the number of world champions,” the organization said in a statement.
The sanctioning body also clarified that three recently announced bouts have not yet been approved by the WBA, while confirming that bridgerweight will be phased out during a transition period.
The move leaves the WBC as the only major sanctioning body that still recognizes bridgerweight.
Image Credit: WBA