flyweight

American  

[flahy-weyt] / ˈflaɪˌweɪt /

noun

1. a boxer or other contestant of the lightest competitive class, especially a professional boxer weighing up to 112 pounds (51 kilograms).

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flyweight British  

/ ˈflaɪˌweɪt /

noun

1. 1. a professional boxer weighing not more than 112 pounds (51 kg)

   2. an amateur boxer weighing 48–51 kg (106–112 pounds)

   3. ( as modifier )

      a flyweight contest

2. (in Olympic wrestling) a wrestler weighing not more than 115 pounds (52 kg)

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Usage

What does flyweight mean? The word flyweight is most commonly used in boxing to refer to the lightest or one of the lightest weight classes—divisions in which all boxers must be under a certain weight limit. The word is also commonly used to refer to a boxer in this weight class, as in The next bout is between two flyweights. The word flyweight is used in these same ways in other sports that have weight classes, such as mixed martial arts, kickboxing, and wrestling. The specific maximum weight for the flyweight division varies based on the sport, the organization, and whether it applies to men or women. In amateur and Olympic boxing, the weight limit for the flyweight class is 52 kilograms (114. 6 pounds) for men and 51 kilograms (112. 4 pounds) for women. The same or similar limits are used in professional boxing, in which there are also other divisions that use the name flyweight, including mini flyweight (sometimes called strawweight) and light flyweight (both of which are lighter than flyweight) and super flyweight (which is heavier than flyweight). Weight classes are enforced by weighing competitors before a match at what’s called a weigh-in. Example: I’m dropping down to flyweight so I need to cut some weight before the next weigh-in.

Etymology

Origin of flyweight

First recorded in 1905–10; fly ¹ + weight

Example Sentences

Also in action is British flyweight Lone'er Kavanagh who faces Brandon Royval and the unbeaten Luke Riley who fights Kai Kamaka at featherweight.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

Rodriguez has reigned as unified champion at flyweight and super-flyweight, and boasts an undefeated 23-fight record - 16 inside the distance.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

Kavanagh took the fight against two-time flyweight champion Moreno when his original opponent Asu Almabayev withdrew because of injury.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

Shevchenko has the second-highest takedown accuracy in flyweight history at 62.8%, with Weili eighth at strawweight with 45.6%.

From BBC • Nov. 13, 2025

There was a trainer in Washington, D.C., who was good, who was very good, legendary, and who specialized in flyweight fighters.

From "The Book of Unknown Americans" by Cristina Henríquez