Flyweight
Encyclopedia
Flyweight is a class in boxing
which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb (51 kg) but above 108 lb (49 kg).
was considered a bantamweight
, regardless of how small the boxer. In 1911, the organization that eventually became the British Boxing Board of Control
held a match that crowned Sid Smith as the first flyweight champion of the world. Jimmy Wilde
, who reigned from 1914 to 1923, was the first fighter recognized both in Britain and the United States as a flyweight champion.
Other notable flyweights include Pancho Villa
, Walter McGowan
, Pascual Pérez
, Pone Kingpetch
, Miguel Canto
, Dave McAuley
, Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson, Manny Pacquiao
, Jorge Arce
, Vic Darchinyan
and Nonito Donaire
.
For a full list, see List of flyweight boxing champions
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb (51 kg) but above 108 lb (49 kg).
Professional boxing
The flyweight division was the last of boxing's eight traditional weight classes to be established. Before 1909, anyone below featherweightFeatherweight
Featherweight is a weight class division in the sport of boxing. There are similarly named divisions under several Mixed Martial Arts organizations and in Greco-Roman wrestling.-Professional boxing:...
was considered a bantamweight
Bantamweight
Bantamweight is usually a class in boxing for boxers who weigh above 115 pounds and up to 118 pounds . However, in Mixed Martial Arts it is 134-136 pounds . Wrestling also has similar weight classes including bantamweight...
, regardless of how small the boxer. In 1911, the organization that eventually became the British Boxing Board of Control
British Boxing Board of Control
The British Boxing Board of Control is the governing body of professional boxing in the United Kingdom. It was formed in 1929 from the old National Sporting Club and is headquartered in Cardiff.- Councils :...
held a match that crowned Sid Smith as the first flyweight champion of the world. Jimmy Wilde
Jimmy Wilde
Jimmy Wilde , was a Welsh world boxing champion. He was the first official world flyweight champion and was rated by American boxing writer Nat Fleischer, as well as many other professionals and fans including former boxer, trainer, manager and promoter, Charley 'Broadway' Rose, as "the greatest...
, who reigned from 1914 to 1923, was the first fighter recognized both in Britain and the United States as a flyweight champion.
Other notable flyweights include Pancho Villa
Francisco Guilledo
Francisco Guilledo , more commonly known as Pancho Villa, was a Filipino boxer. Villa, who stood only 5 feet and 1 inch tall and never weighed more than 114 pounds , rose from obscurity to win the World Flyweight boxing championship in 1923, earning acclaim in some quarters as "the...
, Walter McGowan
Walter McGowan
Walter McGowan, MBE , is a retired Scottish boxer. He is renowned for having been WBC world flyweight champion.He was the son of Thomas McGowan, who had boxed under the name of 'Joe Gans'....
, Pascual Pérez
Pascual Pérez (boxing)
Pascual Nicolás Pérez was an Argentine flyweight boxer. Pérez was born in Tupungato in the Mendoza Province of Argentina, he went on to make history by becoming Argentina's first world boxing champion....
, Pone Kingpetch
Pone Kingpetch
Pone Kingpetch , a.k.a. Mana Seedokbuab was a professional Thai boxer and three time world flyweight champion. He became Thailand's first world boxing champion on April 16, 1960 when he defeated Pascual Pérez of Argentina at Lumphini Boxing Stadium in Bangkok for the world flyweight championship...
, Miguel Canto
Miguel Canto
Miguel Angel Canto Solis is a former world boxing champion from Mexico.- Boxing Life :Contrary to many Mexican boxers, Canto was not a "slam-bang" type of boxer...
, Dave McAuley
Dave McAuley
Dave McAuley, born 15 June 1961 in Larne, Northern Ireland is a former professional boxer. During his professional career he held the IBF world title in the Flyweight category. He was arguably the Irelands greatest ever Flyweight.-Boxing career:...
, Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson, Manny Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao
Emmanuel "Manny" Dapidran Pacquiao, PLH is a Filipino professional boxer and politician. He is the first eight-division world champion; having won six world titles, as well as the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the...
, Jorge Arce
Jorge Arce
Jorge Armando Arce Armenta is a Mexican professional boxer. Arce is the former WBO World Light Flyweight, WBC World Light Flyweight, Interim WBC World Flyweight, Interim WBA World Super Flyweight, WBO World Super Flyweight, WBO World Super Bantamweight, and is the current WBO World Bantamweight...
, Vic Darchinyan
Vic Darchinyan
Vakhtang "Vic" Darchinyan is an Armenian professional boxer discovered by HyeFighters. He is a three-division world champion, having won eight titles in three different weight classes. He is a former IBF Flyweight World Champion and a former Undisputed WBA, WBC & IBF Super Flyweight World...
and Nonito Donaire
Nonito Donaire
Nonito Donaire, Jr. is a Filipino-American professional boxer, who is widely known as "The Filipino Flash." He is a three-division world champion, having won five titles across three different boxing weight classes. He is a known switch-hitter with the ability to fight either southpaw or orthodox...
.
Current world champions
| Sanctioning Body | Reign Began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WBA World Boxing Association The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962... |
April 2, 2011 |  Hernan MarquezHernan Márquez Hernan Márquez Beltran , is a Mexican professional boxer. He is the current WBA Flyweight Champion.-Professional career:Nicknamed "Tyson" due to his aggressive style, Marquez is a hard-hitting southpaw.... |
32-2 (25 KO) | 2 |
| WBC World Boxing Council The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo... |
March 27, 2010 |  Pongsaklek WonjongkamPongsaklek Wonjongkam Pongsaklek Wonjongkam is a professional southpaw boxer in the flyweight division. His record is 83-3-1 . He is the WBC Flyweight Champion, as well as The Ring World Flyweight Champion... |
83-3-1 (45 KO) | 3 |
| IBF International Boxing Federation The International Boxing Federation or IBF is one of four major organizations recognized by IBHOF which sanction world championship boxing bouts, alongside the WBA, WBC and WBO.- History :... |
November 20, 2009 |  Moruti MthalaneMoruti Mthalane Moruti Mthalane , is a South African professional boxer with orthodox stance who goes by the nickname of "Babyface". His professional record includes 27 fights: 25 wins , and 2 losses. He lives in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, where he won the IBF flyweight title against Mexican Julio César... |
28-2 (19 KO) | 3 |
| WBO World Boxing Organization The World Boxing Organization is a sanctioning organization currently recognizing professional boxing world champions. The organization is recognized as one of the four major world championship groups by the IBHOF alongside the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Council and the... |
July 16, 2011 |  Brian ViloriaBrian Viloria Brian Viloria is a Filipino-American professional boxer He is the reigning WBO Flyweight champion. He also won the WBC Light Flyweight and IBF Junior Flyweight titles... |
29-3-0-2 (16 KO) | 0 |
For a full list, see List of flyweight boxing champions
Olympic Champions
- 1904Boxing at the 1904 Summer OlympicsAt the 1904 Summer Olympics, seven boxing events were contested. Only American boxers competed. The competitions were held on Wednesday, September 21, 1904 and on Thursday, September 22, 1904. Contestants in lighter weight classes could also compete in heavier classes...
– - 1920Boxing at the 1920 Summer OlympicsThese are the results of the boxing competition at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp. Medals were awarded in 8 weight classes. The competitions were held from August 21, 1920 to August 24, 1920.-Medal summary:-Medal table:-References:*...
– - 1924Boxing at the 1924 Summer OlympicsThese are the results of the boxing competition at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. Medals were awarded in 8 weight classes. The competitions were held from 15 July 1924 to 20 July 1924.-Medal summary:-Participating nations:...
– - 1928Boxing at the 1928 Summer OlympicsThese are the results of the boxing competition at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. Medals were awarded in 8 weight classes. The competitions were held from August 7, 1928 to August 12, 1928.-Medal summary:-Participating nations:...
– - 1932Boxing at the 1932 Summer OlympicsThese are the results of the boxing competition at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Medals were awarded in 8 weight classes. The competitions were held from August 9, 1932 to August 13, 1932.-Medal summary:-Participating nations:...
– - 1936Boxing at the 1936 Summer OlympicsThese are the results of the boxing competition at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. Medals were awarded in 8 weight classes. The competitions were held from August 10, 1936 to August 15, 1936....
– - 1948Boxing at the 1948 Summer Olympics-Medal table:-Medal summary:...
– - 1952Boxing at the 1952 Summer OlympicsFinal results for the Boxing competition at the 1952 Summer Olympics. The events were held at Messuhalli.-Medal table:- Flyweight :- Bantamweight :- Featherweight :- Lightweight :...
– - 1956Boxing at the 1956 Summer OlympicsBoxing at the 1956 Summer Olympics took place in the new stadium at West Melbourne. A total number of 164 competitors entered from 35 nations, of whom 161 from 34 nations weighed-in and boxing was held eight nights and five afternoons. The boxing schedule began on November 23 and ended on December 1...
– - 1960Boxing at the 1960 Summer OlympicsIn the 1960 Summer Olympics, Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. won the gold medal in the boxing light heavyweight division for the United States.-Medals:- Flyweight :-Quarterfinals:...
– - 1964Boxing at the 1964 Summer OlympicsFinal results for the Boxing competition at the 1964 Summer Olympics:It was held October 11 to 23.-Medal table:-Medal summary:Final results for the Boxing competition at the 1964 Summer Olympics:It was held October 11 to 23....
– - 1968Boxing at the 1968 Summer Olympics-Medal table:- Light Flyweight :-First Round:* Tahar Aziz def. David Nata , 4:1* Hubert Skrzypczak def. Mohamed Sohem , 5:0* Joseph Donovan def. György Gedó , TKO-2...
– - 1972Boxing at the 1972 Summer OlympicsFinal results for the Boxing competition at the 1972 Summer Olympics:It was held August 27 to September 10, with the participation of 357 fighters from 81 countries.-Medal table:-Light Flyweight :-First Round:...
– - 1976Boxing at the 1976 Summer OlympicsThere were eleven boxing events at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.-Light Flyweight :-First Round:* Armando Guevara def. Eduardo Baltar , 5:0* Li Byong-Uk def. Sidney McKnight , KO-1...
– - 1980Boxing at the 1980 Summer OlympicsBoxing at the 1980 Summer Olympics took place in the Indoor Stadium of the Olympiski Sports Complex in Moscow. The boxing schedule began on 20 July and ended on 2 August...
– - 1984Boxing at the 1984 Summer OlympicsBoxing at the 1984 Summer Olympics took place in the Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California. The boxing schedule began on July 29 and ended on August 11. Twelve men's boxing events were contested.-Light Flyweight :...
– - 1988Boxing at the 1988 Summer OlympicsBoxing at the 1988 Summer Olympics took place in the Chamshil Students' Gymnasium in Seoul. The boxing schedule began on September 17 and ended on October 2. Twelve boxing events were contested, with the participation of 441 athletes and 159 officials from 106 countries...
– - 1992Boxing at the 1992 Summer OlympicsBoxing at the 1992 Summer Olympics took place in the old Pavelló Club Joventut de Badalona in Barcelona. The boxing schedule began on July 26 and ended on August 9...
– - 1996Boxing at the 1996 Summer Olympics-Qualification:The following tournaments were used as qualification tournaments for boxing at the 1996 Summer Olympics.Africa* All-Africa Games in Harare, Zimbabwe from September 13 to September 23, 1995* Qualification Tournament in April/May? 1996...
– - 2000Boxing at the 2000 Summer OlympicsThe boxing competition at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney was held over a period of sixteen days at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre in Darling Harbour...
– - 2004Boxing at the 2004 Summer OlympicsBoxing at the 2004 Summer Olympics took place in the Peristeri Olympic Boxing Hall. The event was only open to men and bouts were contested over four rounds of two minutes each...
– - 2008Boxing at the 2008 Summer OlympicsThe boxing program of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China was held at the Workers Indoor Arena.Medals were awarded in eleven events, with each event corresponding to a recognized weight division of male boxers...
–
Pan American Champions
- 1951Boxing at the 1951 Pan American GamesThe Men's Boxing Tournament at the 1951 Pan American Games was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from February 25 to March 8, with the hosting nation winning in all eight weight divisions.- Medal winners :- Medal table :-External links:*...
–
Alberto Barenghi (ARGArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
) - 1955Boxing at the 1955 Pan American GamesThe Men's Boxing Tournament at the 1955 Pan American Games was held in Mexico City, Mexico, from March 12 to March 26, with the inclusion of two new weight divisions to the existing eight.- Medal winners :...
– Hilario Correa (MEXMexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
) - 1959Boxing at the 1959 Pan American GamesThe Men's Boxing Tournament at the 1959 Pan American Games was held in Chicago, United States, from August 27 to September 7.- Medal winners :-Medal table:-External links:*...
– Miguel Angel Botta (ARGArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
) - 1963Boxing at the 1963 Pan American GamesThe Men's Boxing Tournament at the 1963 Pan American Games was held in São Paulo, Brazil, from April 20 to May 5.- Medal winners :-Medal table:-External links:*...
–
Floreal García (URUUruguayUruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
) - 1967Boxing at the 1967 Pan American GamesThe Men's Boxing Tournament at the 1967 Pan American Games was held in Winnipeg, Canada, from July 24 to August 6.- Medal winners :-Medal table:-External links:*...
–
Francisco Rodríguez (VENVenezuelaVenezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
) - 1971Boxing at the 1971 Pan American GamesThe Men's Boxing Tournament at the 1971 Pan American Games was held in Cali, Colombia, from July 25 to August 6. The light flyweight division was included for the first time.- Medal winners :-Medal table:-External links:...
– Francisco Rodríguez (VENVenezuelaVenezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
) - 1975Boxing at the 1975 Pan American GamesThe Men's Boxing Tournament at the 1975 Pan American Games was held in Mexico City, Mexico, from October 12 to October 26.- Medal winners :-Medal table:-External links:*...
–
Ramón DuvalónRamón DuvalónRamón Duvalón is a retired boxer from Cuba, who represented his native country at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada. There he won the silver medal in the flyweight division after being defeated in the final by US-boxer Leo Randolph...
(CUBCubaThe Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
) - 1979Boxing at the 1979 Pan American GamesThe Men's Boxing Tournament at the 1979 Pan American Games was held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from July 1 to July 15.- Medal winners :-Medal table:-External links:*...
–
Alberto MercadoAlberto MercadoAlberto Mercado was a Jr. Featherweight boxer who was on the verge of fighting for a world title at least twice in his career....
(PURPuerto RicoPuerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
) - 1983Boxing at the 1983 Pan American GamesThe Men's Boxing Tournament at the 1983 Pan American Games was held in Caracas, Venezuela, from August 14 to August 29. The super heavyweight division was included for the first time.- Medal winners :-Medal table:-External links:*...
– Pedro Orlando Reyes (CUBCubaThe Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
) - 1987Boxing at the 1987 Pan American GamesThe Men's Boxing Tournament at the 1987 Pan American Games was held in the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, United States from August 8 to August 23.- Medal winners :-Medal table:-External links:*...
– Adalberto Regalado (CUBCubaThe Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
) - 1991Boxing at the 1991 Pan American GamesThe Men's Boxing Tournament at the 1991 Pan American Games was held in Havana, Cuba from August 2 to August 18. It served as a qualification tournament for the 1992 Summer Olympics. The number one and two earned a ticket for the Barcelona Games...
– José Ramos (CUBCubaThe Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
) - 1995Boxing at the 1995 Pan American GamesThe Men's Boxing Tournament at the 1995 Pan American Games was held in Mar del Plata, Argentina from March 11 to March 27. It served as a qualification tournament for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia...
–
Joan GuzmánJoan GuzmanJoan Guzmán is a Dominican professional boxer who was the WBO's super bantamweight and super featherweight champion. His nickname is "The Little Tyson"." Guzmán is now trained by Former World Champion Roberto Garcia. Former unheralded boxer Floyd Mayweather, Sr...
(DOMDominican RepublicThe Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
) - 1999Boxing at the 1999 Pan American GamesThe Men's Boxing Tournament at the 1999 Pan American Games was held in Winnipeg, Canada from July 31 to August 8. It served as a qualification tournament for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. The number one and two earned a ticket for the Olympic Tournament.- Medal winners :- Medal...
– Omar Andrés NarváezOmar Andrés NarváezOmar Andrés Narváez is an Argentine southpaw professional boxer in the super flyweight division and is the WBO Junior Bantamweight champion...
(ARGArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
) - 2003Boxing at the 2003 Pan American GamesThe Men's Boxing Tournament at the 2003 Pan American Games was held in the Carlos Teo Cruz Boxing Coliseum in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic from August 8 to August 15....
– Yuriorkis GamboaYuriorkis Gamboa ToledanoYuriorkis Gamboa Toledano is a Cuban professional boxer who, as an amateur boxer, won an Olympic gold medal in the flyweight division at the 2004 Summer Olympics. He is the former IBF and WBA Featherweight champion, being stripped of both titles...
(CUBCubaThe Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
) - 2007Boxing at the 2007 Pan American GamesThe Men's Boxing Tournament at the 2007 Pan American Games was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from July 20 to July 28. It served as a qualification tournament for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, PR China...
– McWilliams ArroyoMcWilliams ArroyoMcWilliams Arroyo is a Puerto Rican professional boxer. He was introduced to boxing in his childhood, becoming involved at the age of 12. As an amateur, Arroyo represented Puerto Rico in numerous international events....
(PURPuerto RicoPuerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
)