Lineal Flyweight World Champions
[112lbs]
Flyweight World Championship: Vacant
1. Jimmy Wilde (1916 - 1923) UK
2. Pancho Villa (1923 - 1925) Died. Philippines
3. Fidel La Barba (1927) Vacated. USA
4. Benny Lynch (1937-1938) Vacated. UK
5. Peter Kane (1938 - 1939) Vacated. UK
6. Jackie Paterson (1943 - 1948) UK
7. Rinty Monaghan (1948 - 1950) Retired. UK
8. Terry Allen (1950) UK
9. Salvador "Dado" Marino (1950 - 1952) USA
10. Yoshio Shirai (1952 - 1954) Japan
11. Pascual Perez (1954 - 1960) Argentina
12. Pone Kingpetch (1960 - 1962) Thailand
13. Masahiko "Fighting" Harada (1962 - 1963) Japan
14. Pone Kingpetch (1963) Thailand
15. Hiroyuki Ebihara (1963 - 1964) Japan
16. Pone Kingpetch (1964 - 1965) Thailand
17. Salvatore Burruni (1965 - 1966) Italy
18. Walter McGowan (1966) UK
19. Chartchai Chionoi (1966 - 1969) Thailand
20. Efren Torres (1969 - 1970) Mexico
21. Chartchai Chionoi (1970) Thailand
22. Erbito Salavarria (1970 - 1973) Philippines
23. Venice Borkorsor (1973) Vacated Thailand
24. Miguel Canto (1975 - 1979) Mexico
25. Chan Hee Park (1979 - 1980) South Korea
26. Shoji Oguma (1980 - 1981) Japan
27. Antonio Avelar (1981 - 1982) Mexico
28. Prudencio Cardona (1982) Colombia
29. Freddy Castillo (1982) Mexico
30. Eleoncio Mercedes (1982 - 1983) Dominican Republic
31. Charlie Magri (1983) UK
32. Frank Cedeno (1983 - 1984) Philippines
33. Koji Kobayashi (1984) Japan
34. Gabriel Bernal (1984) Mexico
35. Sot Chitalada (1984 - 1988) Thailand
36. Yong Kang Kim (1988 - 1989) South Korea
37. Sot Chitalada (1989 - 1991) Thailand
38. Maungchai Kittikasem (1991 - 1992) Thailand
39. Yuri Arbachakov (1992 - 1997) Russia
40. Chatchai Sasakul (1997 - 1998) Thailand
41. Manny Pacquiao (1998 - 1999) Philippines
42. Boonsai "3K-Battery" Sansurat (1999 - 2000) Thailand
43. Malcolm Tunacao (2000 - 2001) Philippines
44. Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (2001 - 2008) Thailand
45. Daisuke Naito (2008 - 2009) Japan
46. Koki Kameda (2009 - 2010) Japan
47. Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (2010 - 2012) Thailand
48. Sonny Boy Jaro (2012) Philippines
49. Toshiyuki Igarashi (2012 - 2013) Japan
50. Akira Yaegashi (2013 - 2014) Japan
51. Roman Gonzalez (2014 - 2016) Vacated. Nicaragua
History
In February 1909, The National Sporting Club in London, described as "the fountain head of the pugilistic game," formally introduced a new weight class to boxing, and set the limit at 112lbs, and placing its adjacent division, Bantamweight, at a limit of 118lbs. The NSC now recognised eight weight classes, the other being: Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight, and Featherweight (30). The UK and America both began claiming titlists at Flyweight (31), but it wasn't until December 18th, 1916, that Briton's Jimmy Wilde, became the first internationally accepted World Champion of the weight class (2).
Six of the first eight Lineal Flyweight Champions were British, but since then, the division has been dominated by south/central American and Asian fighters. Thailand has notched up the most champions, 12, followed by Japan, with 9. The two longest reigning champions have been Jimmy Wilde (6 years, 6 months) and Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (6 years, 4 months). Most recently, Nicaragua's Roman Gonzalez climbed to #1 on many "Pound-for-Pound" lists, and won fans over with his skilful, attacking, all-action style.
1916. Jimmy Wilde defeated Young Zulu Kid on December 18th, 1916, via 11th round TKO at Holborn Stadium, in Holborn, England, to win the inaugural Flyweight World Championship.
Although the Flyweight division was comparatively new to America, in England, there had already been many memorable battles at this weight, but Wilde's clash with Zulu Kid was considered the first to decide a world champion in the division. Before the fight it was reported that the victor would be "universally acclaimed as the legitimate ruler" of the weight class (4). Wilde's weight when in fighting condition was normally only approximately 98lbs, but officially, the bout was scheduled to take place at the contracted limit of 112lbs (5).
The Vancouver World (1): "With the Stars and Stripes draped in his corner, Young Zulu Kid, the little Flatbush Dreadnought, today entered the ring to battle Jimmy Wilde, British flyweight champion, in the first title bout of the insect division. Wilde has wiped out British opposition and Zulu has practically a clean claim to the American flyweight title, so today's 20-round fight is for the world's championship."
Zulu Kid was deemed "worthy of being a considered a good representative of the United States in the title conflict now approaching." (4)
As per The Times (2): "Jimmy Wilde (Tylorstown) and Young Zulu Kid (America) met at the Holborn Stadium yesterday afternoon in a 20-round contest for the Fly-Weight Championship of the World. Wilde knocked out his opponent in the 11th round."
The Reading News-Times stated that, "Jimmy Wilde, flyweight champion of England, knocked out Frankie Di Meifi, known as Young Zulu Kid of Brooklyn, NY, in the eleventh round of their match today. By this victory Wilde reaffirmed his right to the title of flyweight champion of the world." (3)
The bout ended when "the seconds of the beaten man threw up the sponge in token of defeat," after Wilde had "floored him for the second time with a volley of bruising punches to face and body." (6)
"Wilde is one of the most unusual men in the ring," commented the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "He is tall for his weight and has a remarkable reach. Although weak and anemic in appearance, he packs the punch of a lightweight."
"He includes in his list of victims victories over bantam weights, feathers and here and there some of the 133-pound boys." (6)
1925. Pancho Villa died on July 14th, 1925, while undergoing an operation at a hospital In San Francisco, for an infection of the throat, which developed from an infected tooth. The doctor performing the operation, DR. C. E. Hoffman, said the boxer suffocated due to his throat swelling, while under the anaesthetic, as he was preparing to operate. The infected tooth had first become apparent a few days before he fought Jimmy McLarnin on July 4th. The Gazette Times reported on July 15th, 1925: "He was enabled to go into the ring against McLarnin only after a dental surgeon removed one of his wisdom teeth. Against the advice of his physician and with a swollen jaw that was plainly discernable to ringsiders, Villa entered the ring. While showing little of his old spirit he weathered the rounds, but lost the decision. Villa's condition grew worse and he was compelled last night to go to the hospital. His condition became such during the night that it was found necessary to operate today." (7)
1927. Fidel La Barba defeated Elky Clark on January 21st, 1927, via 12 round unanimous decision, to win the vacant Championship.
Before the bout The Brooklyn Daily Times (8) reported:
"You can lay the chunk that when Fidel LaBarba, of America, and Elky Clark, of Europe wind up their twelve-round rumpus in the Garden tonight, the world will have an undisputed flyweight champion, unless of course, the bout is adjudged a draw. For Fidel is the undisputed champion of the Western Hemisphere and Elky is the boss of the Eastern department. The result: Your winner will be sitting on top of the world."
Other sources that reported Barba/Clark as being for the World Championship: (9) (10) (11). The vacant Ring title was also at stake.
1927. Fidel La Barba announced on August 23rd, 1927, that he would be relinquishing his crown in order to enter Stanford University in September (12).
1937. Benny Lynch defeated Small Montana on points over 15 rounds, on January 19th, 1937, to win the vacant Championship.
In the February 1937 issue of Ring Magazine, Lynch and Montana were the #1 and #2 rated fighters respectively, in the Flyweight division (23). The vacant Ring title was at stake.
The Brooklyn Eagle (25) reported:
"The Flyweight boxing situation was considerably cleared today by the elimination of Small Montana of San Francisco, Filipino-American claimant to the title.
"Lynch was the title holder as far as the British Empire was concerned."
The Brooklyn Citizen noted that the International Boxing Union still recognized Valentin Anglemann as a title holder (25). Valentin was ranked #4 by The Ring heading into the Lynch/Montana bout (23).
1938. The Championship became vacant on June 29th, 1938, when Benny Lynch was unable to make the weight limit for his fight with Jackie Jurich.
The British Board of Boxing Control declared his British, European and world flyweight titles vacant, because of his inability to make weight for his fight with Jurich (26) - a decision also supported by the NBA (27). The fight still took place, with Benny (118.5lbs) stopping Jurich (110.5lbs) in the 12th round.
Lynch had two more fights in 1938 (for which he weighed 127lbs and 131lbs), before retiring.
1938. Peter Kane outpointed Jackie Jurich over 15 rounds on September 22nd, 1938, to win the vacant Championship. Titles: Ring.
The Manchester Guardian reported: "Peter Kane (Golborne, Wigan) last night won the world's fly-weight boxing championship, vacated by Benny Lynch (Glasgow), by defeating Jackie Jurich (United States) on points decisively over 15 rounds at Anfield football ground, Liverpool. Kane, who is one of the youngest boxers ever to become a world champion, won at least thirteen rounds and would have scored a knockout against a less courageous opponent. Jurich was down on six occasions - more than once for a count of nine - and was outfought at nearly every stage."
In the February 1938 issue of Ring Magazine, Peter Kane was rated as the #1 Flyweight contender (behind, then champion, Benny Lynch). Jurich was ranked #5, behind Small Montana, Tiny Bostock and Pierre Louis.
The NBA insisted that Small Montana must be considered in any elimination for the title and would therefore not recognize Kane/Jurich as for the world title (29). However, it should be noted that although Jurich lost to Little Dado in March 1938, he had defeated Montana in December 1937. Pierre Louis lost to Fortunato Ortega in February 1938 and Tiny Bostock lost to Tut Whalley in May 1938.
1939. On May 8th, 1939, Peter Kane notified the British Boxing Board of Control to inform them he was resigning as the 112lbs Champion because he was no longer able to make the weight limit, explaining that he was relinquishing the Championship in order to compete at Bantamweight: "I now will concentrate on getting a fight with Sixto Escobar for the bantamweight title." (20)
1943. Jackie Paterson KO'd Peter Kane in round one of their contest on June 19th, 1943, to win the vacant Championship.
In the February 1943 issue of Ring Magazine, Paterson and Kane were ranked at #1 and #2, respectively, at Flyweight (13).
The fight was recognized as a world title fight by the British Boxing Board of Control and the New York State Athletic Commission (21) (22). The Ring title was also at stake. The NBA in America, still recognized Little Dado as a title holder (22).
1950. On March 24th, 1950, Rinty Monaghan's manager, Frank McAloran, contacted the British Boxing committee to inform them that Rinty was quitting boxing. The Champion had been receiving medical treatment for bronchial catarrh for months, and had been unable to train properly, therefore relinquished the Championship (18).
1950. Terry Allen defeated Honore Pratesi on points over 15 rounds, on April 25th, 1950, to win the vacant Championship. Titles: EBU/Ring.
After Monaghan's retirement, the European Boxing Council voted to recognize the winner of Allen-Honore as the Flyweight World Champion (17).
In the February 1950 issue of Ring Magazine, Pratesi and Allen were rated as the #1 and #2 contenders respectively (behind Champion, Rinty Monaghan, who retired in March 1950), in the Flyweight world rankings (16).
1965. The WBC/WBA withdrew recognition of Salvatore Burruni as champion in November 1965, for failing to defend against Hiroyuki Ebihara.
1971. Erbito Salavarria stripped of WBC title for use of amphetamines during fight with Betulio Gonzalez, on November 20th, 1971.
1973. Venice Borkorsor vacated the Championship following his victory over Julio Guerrero on July 10th, 1973, for which he weighed 119.5lbs. He contacted the WBC, informing the organisation that he was no longer able to adequately make the 112lbs Flyweight weight limit, and so was now going to compete at bantamweight instead (19).
1975. On January 8th, 1975, Miguel Canto outpointed Shoji Oguma, via 15 round majority decision, to win the vacant Championship. Titles: Ring/WBC.
At the time of this bout, Canto and Oguma were the top 2 rated Flyweights in the world in The Ring's rankings (14).
1988. The Ring stopped recognising "Ring Champions" during Yong Kang Kim's reign. Yong-Kang remained the Lineal Champion.
2016. On September 10th, 2016, Roman Gonzalez won the WBC belt at Junior Bantamweight. A few weeks after this victory, on October 1st, Gonzalez announced that he was vacating his Championship at Flyweight and would now remain in his new, heavier weight class (15).
2023. Sunny Edwards Vs Jesse Rodriguez (IBF/WBO titles), December 16, 2023. Although the bout met LBC’s minimum criteria for filling a Lineal vacancy, opinions in the boxing fraternity were considerably split as to who the leading contenders at flyweight were; this, added to Rodriquez’ inexperience at 112lb when compared to Martinez and Dalakian, meant LBC did not recognise Edwards/Rodriguez as a bout for the vacant Lineal Championship.
Record in scheduled 12-round fights at flyweight. Rodriguez 1 - 0, Edwards 7 - 0, Martinez 7 - 0 - 2, Dalakian 14 - 0.
Heading into the fight, ratings as follows, #1 - #4: TBRB (Sunny Edwards, Artem Dalakian, Julio Martinez, Jesse Rodriguez), Ring (Sunny Edwards, Julio Martinez, Artem Dalakian, Jesse Rodriguez), ESPN (Jesse Rodriguez, Sunny Edwards, Julio Martinez, Artem Dalakian), Bad Left Hook (Sunny Edwards, Jesse Rodriguez, Julio Martinez, Artem Dalakian). Rodriguez/Edwards Was not for the vacant Ring or TBRB titles. Edwards, Martinez and Dalakian had all beaten top-10-ranked TBRB opposition at flyweight (ratings at time of the bouts); Rodriguez had not faced any top-10-ranked flyweight opposition.
*Ratings/records, as of December 15, 2023.
References
(1) The Vancouver World (1916) Flyweights battle today for championship of the world. December 18, 1916.
(2) The Times - London (1916) Championship boxing contests. December 19, 1916.
(3) Reading Times (1916) Jimmy Wilde knocks out Zulu Kid in 11th round. December 19, 1916.
(4) The Buffalo Evening Times (1916) American fighter to meet the English title holder. December 4, 1916.
(5) The Sun - Baltimore. Jimmy Wilde and Zulu Kid will box December 10. December 5, 1916.
(6) St. Louis Post-Dispatch (1916) Young Zulu Kid's conqueror scales under 100 pounds. December 19, 1916.
(7) The Gazette Times (1925) Pancho Villa dies undergoing throat operation. July 15, 1925.
(8) The Brooklyn Daily Times (1927) La Barba is picked to defeat Clark on big edge in youth. January 21, 1927.
(9) The Manchester Guardian (1927) Elky Clark's defeat. January 24, 1927.
(10) Daily News - New York (1927) Elky not so hot in his workouts, experts claim. January 21, 1927.
(11) The Salt Lake Telegram (1927) California boxer easy winner of bout. January 22, 1927.
(12) The Ogden Standard-Examiner (1927) La Barba is easy winner in title go. August 24, 1927.
(13) The Ring Magazine's Annual Ratings (2020) 1942. February 1943. Link: https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/The_Ring_Magazine%27s_Annual_Ratings:_1942
(14) TBRB (2020) Successions - Flyweight. Link: https://www.tbrb.org/successions/
(15) Rafael D. (2016) ESPN. Roman 'Chocolatito' Gonzalez vacates flyweight belt, keeps junior bantam. October 1st, 2016. Link: https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/17685952/roman-chocolatito-gonzalez-vacates-flyweight-world-title-keep-junior-bantamweight-belt
(16) The Ring Magazine's Annual Ratings (2020) February 1950. Link: https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/The_Ring_Magazine%27s_Annual_Ratings:_1949
(17) The Arizona Republic - Phoenix (1950) Allen, Pratesi to box for title. April 19, 1950.
(18) Courier-Post - Camden, New Jersey (1950) Monaghan retires as boxing champ. March 25, 1950.
(19) The Vancouver Sun (1973) Borkorsor vacates title. July 12, 1973.
(20) The Knoxville Journal (1939) Kane vacates title. May 9, 1939.
(21) Star Gazette (1943) Scot wins claim to flyweight title. June 21, 1943.
(22) Democrat and Chronicle - New York (1943) Paterson stops Kane in 1st - wins recognition as champ. June 20, 1943.
(23) The Ring Magazine's Annual Ratings (2020) February 1937. Link: https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/The_Ring_Magazine%27s_Annual_Ratings:_1936
(24) The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (1937) Montana loses to Lynch in London. January 20, 1937.
(25) The Brooklyn Citizen (1937) Benny Lynch British champ beats Montana. January 20, 1937.
(26) The Nebraska State Journal (1938) British board fines Lynch - vacates title. July 21, 1938.
(27) Appeal-Democrat (1938) NBA backs up Britain, will vacate title. July 6, 1938.
(28) The Manchester Guardian (1938) Kane's world championship. September 23, 1938.
(29) The Morning Post (1938) Jurich-Kane skirmish not recognized by NBC. July 26, 1938.
(30) Victoria Daily Times (1909) New boxing weight in every division. February 16, 1909.
(31) Los Angeles Herald (1909) Paddock and ringside - diamond. December 10, 1909.
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