Category:Flyweight Division

Established by the highly influential National Sporting Club (NSC) in Britain and formalised on 11 February 1909 as one of eight standard weight divisions, flyweight was a term that had not been previously used when referring to smaller men. In fact, all weights below 112lbs up to that time had belonged to the bantam class. While the NSC were busy trying to organise a title fight at the weight not everybody was happy with the new arrangement, especially those who felt strongly that proper provisions had not made for even smaller men. Because there was a proliferation of those men around at the time it was argued on their behalf that there should be at least two paperweight classes below the new flyweight division and under the new arrangement they were being unfairly treated. Unfortunately for them, their pleas fell on deaf ears. Regardless of those who felt they were being victimised, English-born fighters laying claim to the new 112lbs title included Jim Kenrick, Johnny Hughes, Sam Kellar, Albert Cocksedge and Harry McDermott

On the other Side of the Atlantic, Johnny Coulon was claiming to be the 110lbs champion of America, having beaten Kid Murphy (nd-w rtd 5 at the Whirlwind AC, Manhattan, NYC, New York on 11 February 1909) in a ten-round no-decision contest. Coulon would go on to defend that claim in ten-round no-decision fights against Johnny Daly (nd-w pts 10 at the same venue on 18 February), Joe Coster (nd-drew 10 at the Bedford AC, Brooklyn, NYC, New York on 1 March), Eddie Doyle (nd-w pts 10 at the Whirlwind AC on 4 March) and Jock Phenicie (nd-w pts 10 at the Mars Club, Johnstown, Pennsylvania on 20 May), before meeting Tibby Watson (nd-w co 10 at the Gymnastic Club, Dayton, Ohio on 28 May) in a 20-round affair. Promoters were still clamouring to match up Coulon with Monte Attell to decide the American 116/118lbs title, but at that stage of his career he was too small for the latter and would soon lay claim to the new 112lbs flyweight title. This was backed up by the American promoter, Jim Coffroth, who stated on 9 December that under the new weight scales published by the NSC Coulon should be recognised as the undisputed flyweight champion of the world

Earlier, in Britain on 25 March at the Drill Hall, Birkenhead, Curley Osborne knocked out Joe Percival in the 15th of a 20-round contest. Although no weights or billing were given it was later stated that Osborne had not only held on to the 104lbs championship, but had successfully defended his claim to the British (formerly English) 106lbs title with this victory. Two other fights in Britain that took place at weights well below 112lbs saw Osborne and Percival draw over 20 rounds at the Scottish National AC, Glasgow at 104lbs on 11 May and Paddy Carroll outpoint Percival at 108lbs over 20 rounds at the Drill Hall, Birkenhead on 3 June. Although there was no billing as such, Carroll later claimed that he won the British 108lbs title in this one, and on 2 December he consolidated that when Sid Smith, whom he was meant to fight on that date, forfeited when failing to make the weight. However, with no more title bout action at 108lbs the weight class faded away until being revived in more modern times. Other contests in 1909 involving the British 104lbs title saw Osborne outscore James Easton over 15 rounds at the Theatre Royal, Belfast on 25 June, and then being forced to retire by Carroll inside 13 rounds at the Drill Hall, Birkenhead on 15 July. Billed as a fight that involved a claim to the British 104lbs title, Osborne struggled to make the weight and with Carroll also unable to get down to 104lbs again the weight class lapsed

Weight Band/Amendments

112lbs limit (11 February 1909 to 4 April 1975)

108lbs to 112lbs (On 4 April 1975 the 108lbs junior flyweight division was introduced)

Title Contests

2012-11-17 Brian Viloria w rsc 10 Hernan Marquez, Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, USA - WBA/WBO. Referee: David Mendoza.