"Minimumweight" redirects here. For other uses, see Minimum weight.
Mini flyweight, also known as strawweight, minimumweight or super atomweight, is a weight class in combat sports.
Boxing
In professional boxing, boxers in the minimumweight division may weigh no more than 105 pounds (48 kg). 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 (IBF) in June 1987 when Kyung-Yun Lee knocked out Masaharu Kawakami to become the inaugural champion.
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. Including early wins over a young up-and-coming Hiroki Ioka who later found success at light flyweight, flyweight, and super flyweight.
Chana Porpaoin - held WBA title until losing the title to Rosendo Álvarez, who then held it until 1998 for failing to make weight for his unification rematch with Ricardo Lopez (he lost by split decision).
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.
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 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 (nephew of 1980s champion Hiroki 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.
Since 1968, the Summer Olympic Games has featured the 48 kilogram division under the name light flyweight (not to be confused with the 108 pound division in professional boxing).
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.