Flyweight

For other uses, see Flyweight (disambiguation).

Flyweight is a weight class in combat sports.

Boxing

Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing up to and including 51 kg (112 lb) for a title fight.[1]

Professional boxing

The flyweight division was the last of boxing's eight traditional weight classes to be established. Before 1909, anyone below featherweight 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 1916 to 1923, was the first fighter recognized both in Britain and the United States as a flyweight champion.[2]

Other notable flyweights include Victor Perez, Pancho Villa, Walter McGowan, Pascual Pérez, Pone Kingpetch, Salvatore Burruni, Fighting Harada, Masao Ohba, Chartchai Chionoi, Efren Torres, Erbito Salavarria, Miguel Canto, Dave McAuley, Charlie Magri, Gabriel Bernal, Santos Laciar, Sot Chitalada, Yong-Kang Kim, Yuri Arbachakov, Danny Romero, Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson, Manny Pacquiao, Jorge Arce, Vic Darchinyan, Nonito Donaire, Omar Andrés Narváez, Pongsaklek Wonjongkam, Amnat Ruenroeng, Román González, Donnie Nietes, Nicola Adams.

Current world champions

Main article: List of world flyweight boxing champions
Sanctioning Body Reign Began Champion Record Defenses
WBA January 23, 2024 Seigo Yuri Akui 21–2–1 (11 KO) 2
WBC October 13, 2024 Kenshiro Teraji 24–1 (15 KO) 0
IBF August 9, 2024 Ángel Ayala 18–0 (8 KO) 0
WBO July 20, 2024 Anthony Olascuaga 7–1 (5 KO) 0

Current The Ring world rankings

As of December 31, 2024[3]

Keys:

 C  Current The Ring world champion
Rank Name Record Title(s)
C vacant
1 Ángel Ayala 18–0 (8 KO) IBF
2 Kenshiro Teraji 24–1 (15 KO) WBC
3 Seigo Yuri Akui 21–2–1 (11 KO) WBA
4 Galal Yafai 9–0 (7 KO)
5 Artem Dalakian 22–1 (15 KO)
6 Felix Alvarado 42–4 (35 KO)
7 Ricardo Rafael Sandoval 25–2 (18 KO)
8 Anthony Olascuaga 8–1 (6 KO) WBO
9 Francisco Rodríguez Jr. 40–6–1 (27 KO)
10 Tobias Reyes 16–1–1 (15 KO)

Longest reigning world flyweight champions

Below is a list of longest reigning flyweight champions in boxing measured by the individual's longest reign. Career total time as champion (for multiple time champions) does not apply.

Name Title reign Title recognition Successful defenses Beaten opponents Fights
1. Omar Andres Narvaez 7 years, 10 months WBO 16 15 [4]
2. Jimmy Wilde 7 years, 4 months, 4 days World 3 3 [5]
3. Pongsaklek Wonjongkam 6 years, 4 months, 16 days WBC 17 16 [6]
4. Artem Dalakian 5 years, 10 months, 27 days WBA 5 5 [7]
3. Irene Pacheco 5 years, 8 months, 6 days IBF 6 6 [8]
6. Pascual Perez 5 years, 4 months, 20 days World 9 9 [9][10]
7. Yuri Arbachakov 5 years, 4 months, 19 days WBC 9 9 [11]
8. Jackie Paterson 4 years, 9 months, 4 days NBA 1 1 [12]
9. Miguel Canto 4 years, 2 months, 10 days WBC 14 11 [13]
10. Moruti Mthalane 4 years, 1 month, 23 days IBF 4 4 [14]
11. Sot Chitalada 3 years, 9 months, 16 days WBC 6 5 [15]

Amateur boxing

Olympic Champions

Men's
Women's

Pan American Champions

Men's

Kickboxing

In kickboxing, a flyweight fighter generally weighs 53 kg (116 lb) or under. The International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) Flyweight division (professional and amateur) is 112.1 lb. – 117 lb. or 50.95 kg – 53.18 kg.

In ONE Championship, the flyweight division is up to 61.2 kg (135 lb).

Bare-knuckle boxing

The limit for flyweight generally differs among promotions in bare knuckle boxing:

  • In Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, the flyweight division has an upper limit of 125 lb (57 kg).
  • In BKB™, the flyweight division has an upper limit of 70 kg (154 lb).

Mixed Martial Arts

The flyweight division in mixed martial arts – as defined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission combat sports doctrine[16] and by the Association of Boxing Commissions[17] – groups together all competitors 125 lb (57 kg) and below. It sits between Strawweight (106 lb-115 lb) and Bantamweight (126 lb-135lb).

The flyweight division in mixed martial arts refers to a number of different weight classes:

  • The UFC's flyweight division, which groups competitors within 116 to 125 lb (53 to 57 kg)
  • The Pancrase light flyweight division with an upper limit of 54 kg (119 lb)
  • The Shooto flyweight division with an upper limit of 114.6 lb (52 kg) [18]
  • The ONE Championship's flyweight division, with upper limit at 61.2 kg (134.9 lb)
  • The Road FC's flyweight division, with upper limit at 125 lb (57 kg)

Professional champions

These tables are not always up to date. Last updated on July 8, 2023.

Men:

Organization Reign Began Champion Record Defenses
UFC July 8, 2023 Brazil Alexandre Pantoja 29-5 (8KO 11SUB) 3
Bellator MMA N/A Vacant N/A N/A
ONE Championship N/A Vacant N/A N/A
Rizin FF December 31, 2023 Japan Kyoji Horiguchi 34-5 (1) (15KO 5SUB) 1
Fight Nights Global N/A Vacant N/A N/A
ACA February 25, 2023 Russia Kurban Gadzhiev 19-3 (5KO 6SUB) 0
CWFC December 31, 2022 Bangladesh Shajidul Haque 15-5 (5KO) 0
Legacy Fighting Alliance June 23, 2023 United States Cody Davis 8-1 (1KO 3SUB) 0

Women:

Organization Reign Began Champion Record Defenses
UFC September 14, 2024 Kyrgyzstan Valentina Shevchenko 24-4-1 (8KO 7SUB) 0
Bellator MMA April 22, 2022 United States Liz Carmouche 22-7 (9KO 6SUB) 3
Invicta FC N/A Vacant N/A N/A
KSW N/A Vacant N/A N/A
Legacy Fighting Alliance N/A Vacant N/A N/A

See also

References

  1. ^ "Technical & Competition Rules – Effective from March 24, 2011" (PDF). INTERNATIONAL BOXING ASSOCIATION. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-12-16.
  2. ^ Mullan, Harry (1996). Boxing: The Definitive Illustrated Guide to World Boxing. London, England: Carlton Books. p. 186. ISBN 0-7858-0641-5.
  3. ^ "The Ring ratings: flyweight". Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  4. ^ "Professional boxing record: Omar Andres Narvaez". Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Professional boxing record: Jimmy Wilde". Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  6. ^ "Professional boxing record: Pongsaklek Wonjongkam". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  7. ^ "Professional boxing record: Artem DalakinSpence Jrl". Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Professional boxing record: Irene Pacheco". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  9. ^ "Professional boxing record: Pascual Perez". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  10. ^ "Pascual Perez, p. 678" (pdf). The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall Of Fame Official Record Book. International Boxing Hall Of Fame. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  11. ^ "Professional boxing record: Yuri Arbachakov". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  12. ^ "Professional boxing record: Jackie Paterson". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  13. ^ "Professional boxing record: Miguel Canto". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  14. ^ "Professional boxing record: Moruti Mthalane". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  15. ^ "Professional boxing record: Sot Chitalada". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  16. ^ "Nevada Revised Statutes: Chapter 467 - Unarmed Combat". leg.state.nv.us. Retrieved 2007-02-20.
  17. ^ "Unified Rules of MMA". ABCBoxing.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-05. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
  18. ^ Nelson, Chris (2010-07-19). "'The Way of Shooto 4' Quick Results". BloodyElbow.com. Retrieved 2012-03-19.