Mini flyweight


Mini flyweight, also known as paperweight, minimumweight, strawweight, or super atomweight, is a weight class in combat sports.

Boxing

In professional boxing, boxers in the minimumweight division may weigh no more than. This is a relatively new weight category for professionals, first inaugurated by the major boxing sanctioning bodies between 1987 and 1990.

History

The minimumweight division was originally introduced in 1968 for the Summer Olympic Games under the name light flyweight. However, the division was not recognized by any of the four most widely regarded sanctioning bodies until the International Boxing Federation in June 1987, when Kyung-Yung Lee knocked out Masaharu Kawakami to become the inaugural champion.
The division was then later recognized by the World Boxing Council in October 1987, the World Boxing Association in January 1988, and the World Boxing Organization in August 1989, while Ring magazine did not begin ranking minimumweights until 1997 under the name strawweights and would not name a champion until 2024, when Oscar Collazo knocked out Knockout CP Freshmart.
Historically, the weight class has been dominated by Latin Americans and Asians, with only a limited amount of success coming from other nationalities.

Late 1980s (1987–1989)

In the early years of the division, fighters such as Napa Kiatwanchai found success defending the WBC belt. Hiroki Ioka also started out in the division, winning the WBC belt before finding success at light flyweight, flyweight, and super flyweight.
Other notable champions of this period included Nico Thomas, Jum-Hwan Choi, and Leo Gamez.
Other successful fighters of this period include:
The division also saw its 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 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.
Muhammad Rachman, Yutaka Niida, and Eagle Kyowa became champions. José Antonio Aguirre began to decline, but Iván Calderón continued to defend his WBO title until August 2007, when he moved up to light flyweight.
In the later part of the decade, Oleydong Sithsamerchai, Donnie Nietes, Raúl García, and Román González were champions.

2010s

In the early part of the decade, many of the fighters from the end of the 2000s continued to find success. However, new faces have included Denver Cuello and Kazuto Ioka. In the latter part of the decade, Thai boxers returned to dominance with Knockout CP Freshmart and Wanheng Menayothin winning titles and staying undefeated for some time.

Professional boxing

Current world champions

Sanctioning BodyReign BeganChampionRecordDefenses
WBANovember 16, 2024Oscar Collazo13–0 2
WBCMarch 31, 2024Melvin Jerusalem25–3 3
IBFJuly 28, 2024Pedro Taduran 2
WBOMay 27, 2023Oscar Collazo13–0 6

Current ''The Ring'' world rankings

As of December 28, 2025.
Keys:
RankNameRecordTitle
COscar Collazo12–0 WBO, WBA
1Melvin Jerusalem24–3 WBC
2Pedro Taduran19–4–1 IBF
3Ryusei Matsumoto7–0
4Siyakholwa Kuse8–2–1
5Joey Canoy24–5–2–1
6Takeshi Ishii10–1
7Yuni Takada16–9–3
8Vic Saludar26–6
9Beaven Sibanda9–1
10Joseph Sumabong9–1

Amateur boxing

Since 1968, the Summer Olympic Games has featured the 48 kilogram division under the name light flyweight.

Olympic champions

In kickboxing, the International Kickboxing Federation Strawweight division is below 108.1 lbs. or 49.09 kg. In ONE Championship, the strawweight division is up to.

Mixed martial arts

In MMA, strawweight is considered 115lbs and below and is typically contested by women. It is never referred to as "minimumweight" in MMA.

Other sports

Other sports to include a minimumweight division include the following,
  • Muay Thai, both Lumpinee Boxing Stadium and Rajadamnern Stadium feature a 105-pound weight categories recognized as mini flyweight.
  • Judo, features a 105-pound weight category for female competitions.
  • Various styles of wrestling feature a 105-pound weight category. Including a 48 kilogram women's division in the Summer Olympic Games.
  • Taekwondo, commonly features competitions at or around 105 pounds. Including a 49 kilogram women's division in the Summer Olympic Games recognized as flyweight.