Minimumweight
Encyclopedia
Minimumweight is a weight class division in combat sports
. The most notable of which is in professional boxing
where boxers may weigh no more than 105 pounds (47.6 kg). This is a relatively new weight category for professionals, first inaugurated by the major boxing sanctioning bodies between 1987 and 1990. In most sports that use it, minimumweight is intended to be the smallest amount an athlete can weigh to compete.
under the name light flyweight. However the division was not recognized by any the four most widely-regarded sanctioning bodies until the International Boxing Federation
(IBF) in June 1987 when Kyung-Yun Lee knocked out Masaharu Kawakami to become the inaugural champion.
The division was then later recognized by the World Boxing Council
(WBC) in October 1987, the World Boxing Association
(WBA) in January 1988, and the World Boxing Organization
(WBO) in August 1989. While Ring magazine
did not begin ranking minimumweights until 1997 under the name strawweights and has yet to name a champion in their rankings.
Historically the weight class has been dominated by Latin Americans
and Asians
with only a limited amount of success coming from other nationalities including, South Africans
, Americans
, Canadians, English
, and Australians.
Late 1980s (1987-1989)
In the early years of the division, fighters such as Napa Kiatwanchai
found success defending the WBC belt. Including early wins over a young up-and-coming Hiroki Ioka
who later found success at light flyweight, flyweight, and super flyweight.
Other notable champions of this period included, Nico Thomas
, Jum-Hwan Choi, Bong-Jun Kim, Rafael Torres, Samuth Sithnaruepol, and Leo Gamez
.
1990s
Most of the 1990s were dominated by Ricardo López who is often cited as the best minimumweight ever. López holds a number of records in the division, including the most title defenses with 21. As well as being the first and (so far) only minimumweight to hold two different major titles simultaneously (WBC and WBO).
However other successful fighters of this period included,
The division also saw it's first champions not from Latin America or Asia. When Scotland's Paul Weir
won the vacant WBO title over Fernando Martinez in May 1993. This was then followed by South Africa's Zolani Petelo who won the IBF title in December 1997.
Other notable fighters of this period included, Hi-Yong Choi, Hideyuki Ohashi
, Alex Sánchez
, Wandee Chor Chareon, Rocky Lin, Ala Villamor, Kermin Guardia, Noel Arambulet, Songkram Porpaoin, and Osvaldo Guerrero.
2000s
In the early part of the decade, José Antonio Aguirre
and Iván Calderón
were the most decorated champions.
Other top ranked fighters included, Keitaro Hoshino, Roberto Carlos Leyva, Miguel Barrera, and Joma Gamboa.
While fighters such as, Noel Arambulet, Kermin Guardia, Chana Porpaoin, Wandee Chor Chareon, and Songkram Porpaoin continued to find success during this time.
Moving to the middle part of the decade, Muhammad Rachman
, Yutaka Niida, and Eagle Kyowa
became the best champions. While José Antonio Aguirre began to decline by having long losing streaks and Iván Calderón continued to defend his WBO title until August 2007 when he moved up to light flyweight.
Other top rank fighters included, Daniel Reyes, Juan Jose Landaeta, Rodel Mayol, Omar Soto, Katsunari Takayama, and Isaac Bustos.
In the later part of the decade, Oleydong Sithsamerchai
, Donnie Nietes
, Raúl García
, and Román González were the elite champions. With many of the best fighters from the middle years of the decade having continued success.
However new talent that emerged during the end of the decade included, Florante Condes, Nkosinathi Joyi, and Juan Palacios.
2010s
So far in the early part of the decade many of the fighters from the end of the 2000s have continued to find success.
However some new faces have included Denver Cuello
and Kazuto Ioka
(nephew of 1980s champion Hiroki Ioka
).
has featured the 48 kilogram division under the name light flyweight .
Women:
For a full list, see List of minimumweight boxing champions
Combat sport
A Combat sport, also known as a Fighting sport, is a competitive contact sport where two combatants fight against each other using certain rules of engagement , typically with the aim of simulating parts of real hand to hand combat...
. The most notable of which is in professional boxing
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...
where boxers may weigh no more than 105 pounds (47.6 kg). This is a relatively new weight category for professionals, first inaugurated by the major boxing sanctioning bodies between 1987 and 1990. In most sports that use it, minimumweight is intended to be the smallest amount an athlete can weigh to compete.
History
The minimumweight division was originality introduced in 1968 for the Summer Olympic GamesSummer Olympic Games
The Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Olympic Committee. Medals are awarded in each event, with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition that...
under the name light flyweight. However the division was not recognized by any the four most widely-regarded sanctioning bodies until the International Boxing Federation
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 :...
(IBF) in June 1987 when Kyung-Yun Lee knocked out Masaharu Kawakami to become the inaugural champion.
The division was then later recognized by the World Boxing Council
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...
(WBC) in October 1987, the World Boxing Association
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...
(WBA) in January 1988, and the World Boxing Organization
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...
(WBO) in August 1989. While Ring magazine
The Ring (magazine)
The Ring is an American boxing magazine that was first published in 1922 as a boxing and wrestling magazine. As the sporting legitimacy of professional wrestling came more into question, The Ring shifted to becoming exclusively a boxing oriented publication...
did not begin ranking minimumweights until 1997 under the name strawweights and has yet to name a champion in their rankings.
Historically the weight class has been dominated by Latin Americans
Latin Americans
Latin Americans are the citizens of the Latin American countries and dependencies. Latin American countries are multi-ethnic, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds. As a result, some Latin Americans don't take their nationality as an ethnicity, but identify themselves with...
and Asians
Asian people
Asian people or Asiatic people is a term with multiple meanings that refers to people who descend from a portion of Asia's population.- Central Asia :...
with only a limited amount of success coming from other nationalities including, South Africans
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Americans
Americans
The people of the United States, also known as simply Americans or American people, are the inhabitants or citizens of the United States. The United States is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
, Canadians, English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, and Australians.
Late 1980s (1987-1989)
In the early years of the division, fighters such as Napa Kiatwanchai
Napa Kiatwanchai
Napa Kiatwanchai is the former World Boxing Council strawweight champion from Nakorn Rachasima province, Thailand....
found success defending the WBC belt. Including early wins over a young up-and-coming Hiroki Ioka
Hiroki Ioka
Hiroki Ioka is a former WBC Minimumweight and WBA Lightweight champion. He was the first ever WBC Minimumweight champion, winning the title immediately after the minimumweight division was created....
who later found success at light flyweight, flyweight, and super flyweight.
Other notable champions of this period included, Nico Thomas
Nico Thomas
Nicholas Thomas is a professional boxer.-Background:Thomas is the 12th of 16 children of Julianus Thomas and Helena Thomas. Nico Thomas is father of 3 sons Devitho, Danitho and Marcellino, from his wife Farida Ade Yani-Thomas...
, Jum-Hwan Choi, Bong-Jun Kim, Rafael Torres, Samuth Sithnaruepol, and Leo Gamez
Leo Gamez
Silvio Rafael Gamez , better known as Leo Gamez, is a former boxer from Venezuela. A former world Flyweight champion, Gamez became the first Flyweight boxer in history to win world titles in four different divisions....
.
1990s
Most of the 1990s were dominated by Ricardo López who is often cited as the best minimumweight ever. López holds a number of records in the division, including the most title defenses with 21. As well as being the first and (so far) only minimumweight to hold two different major titles simultaneously (WBC and WBO).
However other successful fighters of this period included,
- Ratanapol Sor VorapinRatanapol Sor VorapinRatanapol Sor Vorapin , is a professional boxer. He is the older brother of former WBO Bantamweight champion Ratanachai Sor Vorapin.-Professional career:...
, who found success defending his IBF title for most of the decade. - Chana PorpaoinChana PorpaoinChana Porpaoin is a Thai boxer. Chana and his brother, Songkram Porpaoin, became only the second set of twins to both capture world titles ....
, who found success in the early part of the decade defending the WBA title. Until losing the title to Rosendo ÁlvarezRosendo ÁlvarezRosendo José Álvarez Hernández is a flyweight boxer, and is well known for giving Mexican legend Ricardo Lopez two tough fights. He is the only person to hold the undefeated flyweight champion to a draw....
, who controlled the WBA title for the rest of the decade.
The division also saw it's first champions not from Latin America or Asia. When Scotland's Paul Weir
Paul Weir (boxer)
Paul Weir is a Scottish professional boxer and a former WBO minimumweight champion.- Pro career :Undefeated WBO Minimun Weight Champion & Former WBO Lt.Flyweight Champion...
won the vacant WBO title over Fernando Martinez in May 1993. This was then followed by South Africa's Zolani Petelo who won the IBF title in December 1997.
Other notable fighters of this period included, Hi-Yong Choi, Hideyuki Ohashi
Hideyuki Ohashi
Hideyuki Ohashi is a former professional boxer and two-time minimumweight world champion.- Professional career :...
, Alex Sánchez
Alex Sánchez (boxer)
Alex "El Nene" Sánchez is a retired Puerto Rican professional boxer.-Boxing career:Sánchez began his professional boxing career on October 4, 1991, knocking out Carlos Figueroa in round one at Mayagüez, Puerto Rico....
, Wandee Chor Chareon, Rocky Lin, Ala Villamor, Kermin Guardia, Noel Arambulet, Songkram Porpaoin, and Osvaldo Guerrero.
2000s
In the early part of the decade, José Antonio Aguirre
José Antonio Aguirre (boxer)
José Antonio Aguirre is a Mexican professional boxer in the strawweight division. He is the former WBC Strawweight champion.-WBC Strawweight Championship:...
and Iván Calderón
Ivan Calderón (boxer)
Iván Calderón Marrero is a Puerto Rican professional boxer. As an amateur Calderón represented Puerto Rico in international competitions and attended the 2000 Olympic Games in Australia. On May 3, 2003, he won the World Boxing Organization's minimumweight championship when he defeated Eduardo...
were the most decorated champions.
Other top ranked fighters included, Keitaro Hoshino, Roberto Carlos Leyva, Miguel Barrera, and Joma Gamboa.
While fighters such as, Noel Arambulet, Kermin Guardia, Chana Porpaoin, Wandee Chor Chareon, and Songkram Porpaoin continued to find success during this time.
Moving to the middle part of the decade, Muhammad Rachman
Muhammad Rachman
Mohammad Rachman Sawaluddin bin Suhaimat , is a professional boxer."The Rock Breaker" won the IBF World Strawweight Championship by a split decision against Daniel Reyes of Colombia...
, Yutaka Niida, and Eagle Kyowa
Eagle Kyowa
"Eagle" Den Junlaphan a.k.a. Eagle Kyowa is a professional boxer in the strawweight division. He won the WBC strawweight title on January 10, 2004, by defeating José Antonio Aguirre but lost it to Isaac Bustos in his second title defense, due to a shoulder injury...
became the best champions. While José Antonio Aguirre began to decline by having long losing streaks and Iván Calderón continued to defend his WBO title until August 2007 when he moved up to light flyweight.
Other top rank fighters included, Daniel Reyes, Juan Jose Landaeta, Rodel Mayol, Omar Soto, Katsunari Takayama, and Isaac Bustos.
In the later part of the decade, Oleydong Sithsamerchai
Oleydong Sithsamerchai
Oleydong "The Deadly Candy" Sithsamerchai is a professional boxer from Thailand. He fights in the strawweight division and is the former WBC Strawweight World champion...
, Donnie Nietes
Donnie Nietes
Donnie Nietes is a Filipino professional boxer and the WBO Light Flyweight World Champion. He is also a former WBO Minimumweight World Champion. His cousin, Gerson Nietes, is also a boxer....
, Raúl García
Raúl García (boxer)
Raúl "Rayito" García, born Raúl García Hirales, is a professional boxer from La Paz, Baja California Sur, México, and the former IBF minimumweight world champion. He has a record of 29 wins , 1 loss, and 1 draw...
, and Román González were the elite champions. With many of the best fighters from the middle years of the decade having continued success.
However new talent that emerged during the end of the decade included, Florante Condes, Nkosinathi Joyi, and Juan Palacios.
2010s
So far in the early part of the decade many of the fighters from the end of the 2000s have continued to find success.
However some new faces have included Denver Cuello
Denver Cuello
Denver Cuello is a Filipino professional boxer and current WBC International minimumweight champion.Born in Cabatuan, Iloilo, he currently resides in Binangonan, Rizal, Philippines...
and Kazuto Ioka
Kazuto Ioka
Kazuto Ioka is a strawweight boxer from Japan and the current world champion of WBC at Strawweight. He was born in Osaka Prefecture, grew up in Sakai city, and currently lives in Osaka.-Debut:...
(nephew of 1980s champion Hiroki Ioka
Hiroki Ioka
Hiroki Ioka is a former WBC Minimumweight and WBA Lightweight champion. He was the first ever WBC Minimumweight champion, winning the title immediately after the minimumweight division was created....
).
Amateur boxing
Since 1968, the Summer Olympic GamesSummer Olympic Games
The Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Olympic Committee. Medals are awarded in each event, with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition that...
has featured the 48 kilogram division under the name light flyweight .
Olympic Champions
- 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...
–
European Champions
- 19691969 European Amateur Boxing ChampionshipsThe 1969 European Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Bucharest, Romania from 30 May to 8 June. The 18th edition of the bi-annual competition was organised by the European governing body for amateur boxing, EABA...
–
György GedóGyörgy GedóGyörgy Gedó is a former Hungarian boxer.Gedó was born in Újpest, Budapest, Hungary. He won the gold medal in the light flyweight division at the 1972 Summer Olympics...
(HUNHungaryHungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
) - 19711971 European Amateur Boxing ChampionshipsThe 1971 European Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Madrid, Spain from 11 June to 19 June. The 19th edition of the bi-annual competition was organised by the European governing body for amateur boxing, EABA. There were 194 fighters from 27 countries participating.-Medal winners:-Medal...
– György GedóGyörgy GedóGyörgy Gedó is a former Hungarian boxer.Gedó was born in Újpest, Budapest, Hungary. He won the gold medal in the light flyweight division at the 1972 Summer Olympics...
(HUNHungaryHungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
) - 19731973 European Amateur Boxing ChampionshipsThe 1973 European Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia from 1 to 9 June. The 20th edition of the bi-annual competition was organised by the European governing body for amateur boxing, EABA. There were 148 fighters from 22 countries participating.-Medal winners:-Medal...
–
Vladislav Sasypko (URSSoviet UnionThe Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
) - 19751975 European Amateur Boxing ChampionshipsThe 1975 European Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Spodek, Katowice, Poland from 1 to 8 June. The 21st edition of the bi-annual competition was organised by the European governing body for amateur boxing, EABA. There were 193 fighters from 23 countries participating.-Medal winners:-Medal...
– Aleksandr Tkachenko (URSSoviet UnionThe Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
) - 19771977 European Amateur Boxing ChampionshipsThe 1977 European Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Halle, West Germany from 28 May to 5 June. The 22nd edition of the bi-annual competition was organised by the European governing body for amateur boxing, EABA. There were 146 fighters from 23 countries participating.-Medal winners:-Medal...
–
Henryk ŚrednickiHenryk SrednickiHenryk Średnicki is a retired amateur boxer from Poland, who represented his native country twice at the Summer Olympics, starting in 1976 ....
(POLPolandPoland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
) - 19791979 European Amateur Boxing ChampionshipsThe Men's 1979 European Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Cologne, West Germany from May 5 to May 12, 1979. The 23rd edition of the bi-annual competition was organised by the European governing body for amateur boxing, EABA...
– Shamil SabirovShamil SabirovShamil Altaevich Sabirov is a retired boxer.-Career:He won the gold medal for the USSR in the light flyweight division at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. In the final he defeated Cuba's Hipólito Ramos on points .A light flyweight, Sabirov was one of the best amateur boxers in the world in...
(URSSoviet UnionThe Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
) - 19811981 European Amateur Boxing ChampionshipsThe Men's 1981 European Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Tampere, Finland from May 2 to May 10, 1981. The 24th edition of the bi-annual competition was organised by the European governing body for amateur boxing, EABA. 171 fighters from 22 European countries participated in the...
–
Ismail Mustafov (BULBulgariaBulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
) - 19831983 European Amateur Boxing ChampionshipsThe Men's 1983 European Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Varna, Bulgaria from May 7 to May 15, 1983. The 25th edition of the bi-annual competition was organised by the European governing body for amateur boxing, EABA. 149 fighters from 19 European countries participated in the...
– Ismail Mustafov (BULBulgariaBulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
) - 19851985 European Amateur Boxing ChampionshipsThe Men's 1985 European Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Budapest, Hungary from May 25 to June 2; 1985. The 26th edition of the bi-annual competition was organised by the European governing body for amateur boxing, EABA. There were 142 fighters from across many European countries...
–
René BreitbarthRené BreitbarthRene Breitbarth was a boxer from East Germany who won a Light Flyweight gold medal at the 1985 European Amateur Championships. In 1986, he won the silver medal at the 1986 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Reno.-References:*...
(GDR) - 19871987 European Amateur Boxing ChampionshipsThe Men's 1987 European Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Torino, Italy from May 28 to June 7. The 27th edition of the bi-annual competition was organised by the European governing body for amateur boxing, EABA. There were 178 fighters from 25 countries participating.-Medal winners:-Medal...
– Nszan Munczian (URSSoviet UnionThe Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
) - 19891989 European Amateur Boxing ChampionshipsThe Men's 1989 European Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Athens, Greece from May 29 to June 3, with the participation of 160 fighters from 26 countries. The 28th edition of the bi-annual competition was organised by the European governing body for amateur boxing, EABA.-Medal winners:-Medal...
– Ivailo MarinovIvailo MarinovIvailo Marinov is a Bulgarian boxer of Turkish ancestry, who won the bronze medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics in light flyweight, and the gold medal in the same category at the 1988 Summer Olympics-Name:Throughout his career, he competed under several different...
(BULBulgariaBulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
) - 19911991 European Amateur Boxing ChampionshipsThe Men's 1991 European Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Gothenburg, Sweden from May 7 to 12. The 29th edition of the bi-annual competition, in which 191 fighters from 26 countries participated this time, was organised by the European governing body for amateur boxing, EABA.- Medal winners...
– Ivailo MarinovIvailo MarinovIvailo Marinov is a Bulgarian boxer of Turkish ancestry, who won the bronze medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics in light flyweight, and the gold medal in the same category at the 1988 Summer Olympics-Name:Throughout his career, he competed under several different...
(BULBulgariaBulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
) - 19931993 European Amateur Boxing ChampionshipsThe Men's 1993 European Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Bursa, Turkey from September 6 to September 12. The 30th edition of the normally bi-annual competition, in which 197 fighters from 32 countries participated this time, was organised by the European governing body for amateur boxing,...
– Daniel PetrovDaniel PetrovDaniel Bozhilov Petrov is a Bulgarian boxer. He won a silver medal at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 and a gold medal at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 in the category Light Flyweight....
(BULBulgariaBulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
) - 19961996 European Amateur Boxing ChampionshipsThe Men's 1996 European Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Vejle, Denmark from March 30 to April 7. The 31st edition of the bi-annual competition, in which 304 fighters from 35 countries participated this time, was organised by the European governing body for amateur boxing, EABA.- Medal...
– Daniel PetrovDaniel PetrovDaniel Bozhilov Petrov is a Bulgarian boxer. He won a silver medal at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 and a gold medal at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 in the category Light Flyweight....
(BULBulgariaBulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
) - 19981998 European Amateur Boxing ChampionshipsThe Men's 1998 European Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Minsk, Belarus from May 17 to May 24. The 32nd edition of the bi-annual competition, in which 180 fighters from 38 countries participated this time, was organised by the European governing body for amateur boxing, EABA.- Medal...
–
Sergey KazakovSergey KazakovSergey Kazakov is a Russian amateur boxer best known to win the World Championships 2003 and European Championships 1998, 2002 and 2004 in the Men's Light Flyweight.Kazakov won the European Championships in 1998...
(RUSRussiaRussia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
) - 20002000 European Amateur Boxing ChampionshipsThe Men's 2000 European Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Tampere, Finland from May 13 to 21. The 33rd edition of thi bi-annual competition, in which 175 fighters from 34 countries participated this time, was organised by the Tampere Boxing Association, Member of the Finnish Boxing...
–
Valeriy SydorenkoValeriy SydorenkoValeriy Petrovych Sydorenko is a retired male boxer from Ukraine, who competed for his native country at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia...
(UKRUkraineUkraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
) - 20022002 European Amateur Boxing ChampionshipsThe Men's 2002 European Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Perm, Russia from July 12 to July 21. The 34th edition of thi bi-annual competition was organised by the European governing body for amateur boxing, EABA.- Medal winners :-External links:...
– Sergey KazakovSergey KazakovSergey Kazakov is a Russian amateur boxer best known to win the World Championships 2003 and European Championships 1998, 2002 and 2004 in the Men's Light Flyweight.Kazakov won the European Championships in 1998...
(RUSRussiaRussia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
) - 20042004 European Amateur Boxing ChampionshipsThe Men's 2004 European Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Pula, Croatia from February 19 to February 29. The 35th edition of thi bi-annual competition was organised by the European governing body for amateur boxing, EABA. A total number of 292 fighters from 41 countries competed at these...
– Sergey KazakovSergey KazakovSergey Kazakov is a Russian amateur boxer best known to win the World Championships 2003 and European Championships 1998, 2002 and 2004 in the Men's Light Flyweight.Kazakov won the European Championships in 1998...
(RUSRussiaRussia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
) - 20062006 European Amateur Boxing ChampionshipsThe Men's 2006 European Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria from July 13 to July 23. The 36th edition of this bi-annual competition was organised by the European governing body for amateur boxing, EABA.-Medal winners:-Medal table:...
– David AyrapetyanDavid AyrapetyanDavid Valeryevich Ayrapetyan is a Russian-Armenian amateur boxer. He is best known for having won the European title at light flyweight in 2006, and a silver medal at the 2009 World Amateur Boxing Championships.-Career:...
(RUSRussiaRussia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
)
Pan American Champions
- 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:...
–
Rafael CarbonellRafael CarbonellRafael Carbonell Carrion is a retired boxer from Cuba, who represented his native country in three consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1964....
(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...
) - 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:*...
– Jorge Hernández (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:*...
– Hector Ramírez (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...
) - 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:*...
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Rafael RamosRafael RamosRafael “Fito” Ramos is a retired boxer from Puerto Rico. He competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics and twice won a medal at the Pan American Games during his career.-References:*...
(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...
) - 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:*...
– Luis Román RolónLuis Román RolónLuis Román Rolón is a retired boxer from Puerto Rico, who competed in the bantamweight division. As an amateur he won the silver medal at the 1986 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Reno...
(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...
) - 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...
– Rogelio MarceloRogelio MarceloRogelio Marcelo García is a retired boxer from Cuba, who competed in the light flyweight division during the early 1990s....
(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...
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Edgar Velázquez (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...
) - 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...
– Maikro RomeroMaikro RomeroMaikro Romero is a Cuban boxer, who won the gold medal in the Men's Flyweight category at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta....
(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...
) - 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....
– Yan Bartelemí VarelaYan Bartelemí VarelaYan Bartelemí Varela is a Cuban amateur boxer, who won the gold medal in the light flyweight division at the 2004 Summer Olympics.-Amateur:*2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece...
(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...
)
Notable minimumweights
Men:- Ricardo López
- Rosendo ÁlvarezRosendo ÁlvarezRosendo José Álvarez Hernández is a flyweight boxer, and is well known for giving Mexican legend Ricardo Lopez two tough fights. He is the only person to hold the undefeated flyweight champion to a draw....
- Eagle KyowaEagle Kyowa"Eagle" Den Junlaphan a.k.a. Eagle Kyowa is a professional boxer in the strawweight division. He won the WBC strawweight title on January 10, 2004, by defeating José Antonio Aguirre but lost it to Isaac Bustos in his second title defense, due to a shoulder injury...
- Chana PorpaoinChana PorpaoinChana Porpaoin is a Thai boxer. Chana and his brother, Songkram Porpaoin, became only the second set of twins to both capture world titles ....
- Yutaka Niida
Women:
- Wendy Rodriguez
- Jolene Blackshear
- Sarah Goodson
Current professional boxing 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... |
October 24, 2011 |  Akira YaegashiAkira Yaegashi is a Japanese professional boxer who is the current WBA minimumweight champion.Yaegashi captured the WBA minimumweight title in his second world title shot against Thai's Pornsawan Porpramook via a tenth round technical knockout at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on October 24, 2011.-External links:... |
15-2 (8 KO) | 0 |
| 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... |
February 11, 2011 | Kazuto Ioka Kazuto Ioka Kazuto Ioka is a strawweight boxer from Japan and the current world champion of WBC at Strawweight. He was born in Osaka Prefecture, grew up in Sakai city, and currently lives in Osaka.-Debut:... |
8-0 (5 KO) | 1 |
| 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 :... |
March 26, 2010 |  Nkosinathi JoyiNkosinathi Joyi Nkosinathi Joyi , is a South African professional boxer with a southpaw stance who goes by the nickname of "Mabere"... |
21-0-0-1 (15 KO) | 1 |
| 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... |
August 27, 2011 |  Moisés FuentesMoisés Fuentes Moisés Fuentes Rubio is a Mexican professional boxer in the strawweight division and is the current World Boxing Organization strawweight champion.-Professional career:... |
14-1 (6 KO) | 0 |
For a full list, see List of minimumweight boxing champions
Other Sports
Other sports to include a minimumweight division include the following,- Muay ThaiMuay ThaiMuay Thai is a combat sport from Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. It is similar to other Indochinese kickboxing systems, namely pradal serey from Cambodia, tomoi from Malaysia, lethwei from Myanmar and muay Lao from Laos...
, both Lumpinee Boxing StadiumLumpinee Boxing StadiumLumpinee Boxing Stadium is an indoor sporting arena located in Bangkok, Thailand. Opened more than a decade later than Rajadamnern Stadium, the Lumpinee is run by Royal Thai Army on behalf of Thai Government. It has become the symbol of modern Muay Thai. Only Rajadamnern Stadium rivals the...
and Rajadamnern StadiumRajadamnern StadiumRajadamnern Boxing Stadium or, in Thai, Sanam Muay Rajadamnern , is an indoor sporting arena located in Bangkok, Thailand. Along with Lumpinee Stadium, the Rajadamnern is one of the two main stadiums for modern Muay Thai...
feature a 105 pound weight categories recognized as mini flyweight. - JudoJudois a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, features a 105 pound weight category for female competitions. - Various styles of wrestlingWrestlingWrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
feature a 105 pound weight category. Including a 48 kilogram women's division in the Summer Olympic GamesSummer Olympic GamesThe Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Olympic Committee. Medals are awarded in each event, with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition that...
. - TaekwondoTaekwondoTaekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
, commonly features competitions at or around 105 pounds. Including a 49 kilogram women's division in the Summer Olympic GamesSummer Olympic GamesThe Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Olympic Committee. Medals are awarded in each event, with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition that...
recognized as flyweight.