The forgotten men: A guide to British flyweights

Ashley Sexton With a weight limit of eight stone, the flyweight division is the lightest active weight category in British boxing. It's a rather sparse division, and in a peculiar way this makes it more intriguing because with so few potential match-ups, the best fighters simply have to fight each other. 2011 certainly looks set to be an exciting year.

Here's a guide to the top nine British flyweights...

1. Paul Edwards – British Champion

Record: W8 (2KOs) L0 D0

The smilin' assassin was in the right place at the right time when he took the British title from Shinny Bayaar in December. After a lively opening, a nasty headclash resulted in a terrible cut on the forehead of the champion. The doctor rightly decided Bayaar was in no condition to continue, and the anachronistic British boxing rules of the time (changed for 2011) meant the fight was adjudged a TKO in favour of Edwards.

Irrespective of this fortune, Edwards has impressed since turning pro in 2008. His most notable victory was in defeating former British super-flyweight champion Andy Bell in just his sixth fight. Giving away height and reach advantage, he roughed up the more experienced fighter and received a deserved points decision. His follow up victory over Anwar Alfadli was less impressive – beating the trialhorse by a single round.

The 24-year-old has a porous looking defence which will need tightening up if Bayaar gets a rematch or if Ashley Sexton has a second crack at the title. Nonetheless, he looks good at the weight and varies his work well to head and body, often looking for the looping right hand - a key weapon against Bell.

The young champion exudes a natural confidence and has a nickname which perfectly reflects his personality. Whoever he defends his title against next, it's going to be an interesting scrap.

What does the future hold: A first defence of his title, perhaps against Bayaar.

Significant Results: WPTS6 Francis Croes, WPTS6 Andy Bell, WTKO1 Shinny Bayaar

2. Shinny Bayaar

Record: W15 (4 KOs) L5 (1 KO's) D2

Shinny Bayaar is the Mongolian-born recently deposed British flyweight champion; he is based in Oldham under the tutelage of Jack “smack him in the mouth” Doughty.

The 'shiny' headed southpaw had landed the British title after defeating Chris Edwards in 2009 and made one defence – a draw with Ashley Sexton. In that fight, he was left bloodied and desperately clinging on as the young challenger made a strong late rally. However, Bayaar had built up a big early lead and was perhaps unfortunate not to extend his six-year unbeaten streak with a victory.

The 33-year-old was matched tough early in his pro career, including a failed challenge for the WBC Minimumweight championship against veteran three-time world title holder Manny Melchor, in only his second fight. His main strengths lie in a strong educated jab and good ring generalship.

Bayaar looks lean at the weight which makes one wonder if making the 51kg limit is becoming a struggle. His tendency to cut is also a problem. The question at this point in his career, is how much does he have left?

What does the future hold? If his head heals, surely a rematch with Paul Edwards.

Significant results: L12pts Manny Melchor, L10pts Martin Power, W12SD Chris Edwards, D12 Ashley Sexton.

3. Ashley Sexton – English Champion

Record: W9 (5KOs) L0 D1

With an unbeaten record and a nickname like “Flash Ash” it's no surprise to discover that Sexton is a brash self-confident type. He announced himself as a serious contender when he smashed the slippery Usman Ahmed into unconsciousness inside a round, winning the English title in the process. Ahmed had never been stopped and had just been 12 rounds with Chris Edwards.

In his next fight, Sexton was largely outboxed by Bayaar in challenging for the British title. However, he showed impressive stamina in the later rounds and made a concerted effort to close the distance and use his greater natural strength in the clinches which suddenly made Bayaar look an old man. You suspect that in a rematch, Sexton won't be quite so respectful in the early rounds.

Sexton is only 23, has been intelligently matched and looks to have a bright future ahead of him. He looks very strong at the weight and is arguably the hardest puncher on the domestic scene.

What does the future hold? Sexton has been pencilled in for a tasty battle with former British bantamweight champion Martin Power at super-flyweight.

Significant results: WPTS6 Delroy Spencer, WKO1 Usman Ahmed, D12 Shinny Bayaar

4. Chris Edwards – Commonwealth champion

Record: W15 (4KOs) L14 (3KOs) D3

34 year-old Edwards has held a number of domestic titles, including the British title at flyweight and super-flyweight - not bad for a fighter who lost six of his first seven. While most fighters his age begin to show signs of slowing, Edwards looks as fit and sharp as ever and currently holds the commonwealth title.

His career is a story of upsetting the odds, and it was kickstarted in 2006 when he surprised everyone to stop Dale Robinson for English title at super-flyweight. Wins against Jamie McDonnell and Wayne Bloy saw him pick up the British titles at super-flyweight and flyweight respectively.

The key to the Stoke fighter's success is the physical conditioning which enables him to maintain a high workrate and impressive volume of punches – in a recent fight with Abmerk Shindjuu he threw 1365 punches in the process. His rat-a-tat-tat style makes him a tricky opponent and ensures that he remains more than just a stepping stone.

What does the future hold? Putting his Commonwealth title on the line for a gruelling rematch with Abmerk Shindjuu scheduled for March 26.

Significant results: WTKO 8 & DPTS 12 Dale Robinson, WSD 12 Jamie McDonnell, LUD 12 Andy Bell, WRTD 4 Wayne Bloy, LSD 12 Shinny Bayaar, WUD 12 Abmerk Shindjuu.

5. Luke Wilton

Record: W8(2 KOs) L2 (0 KOs) D1

After a bright start to his professional career (in which he won his first three outings) Luke 'Winky' Wilton experienced a few mixed results. Dropping a close decision to Usman Ahmed was one thing, but losing to perennial journeyman Delroy Spencer in 2009 suggested a future as a domestic belt holder was unlikely.

However, under shrewd management, the Belfast fighter's confidence was repaired with two early wins against canvas-happy imports before he was given the chance to avenge the defeat to Ahmed. He did just that with a dominant points win. In that contest he looked a more powerful and composed boxer, and appeared set for an early night when he knocked Ahmed down in the first round, but his spritely opponent managed to survive the round.

The next test for Wilton will surely come when he faces an opponent who can match him for punching power. Nonetheless, the victory over Ahmed proves he is a fighter to be taken seriously and bigger fights will surely be forthcoming – his promoter Frank Maloney certainly thinks he's up to the job.

What does the future hold? A showdown with super-flyweight and fellow Belfastian Jamie Conlan is being talked up.

Significant results: D 6 Anwar Alfadli, LPTS 4 Delroy Spencer, Kevin Coglan WPTS 4, Usman Ahmed WPTS 6

6. Usman Ahmed

Record: W6 (0 KOs), L4 (1KO), D1

'Uzzy' was given a tough first assignment as a pro. He was matched with a 22-fight old Chris Edwards. But, after losing a points that fight on points, he went the next six undefeated before he was matched with Edwards again, this time for the British and Commonwealth title. In the rematch, he conceded a lopsided points decision but demonstrated his toughness just to see the final bell.

For the most part, the 29 year-old is the type of fighter everyone loves to hate: his ring walk is more a ring prance and he gets in the face of his opponents immediately upon entering the ring. This tactic backfired against Ashley Sexton when the lairy build up culminated in a first round knockout defeat. That's the only time Ahmed has been stopped.

Fighting from the Shinfield camp, he is unorthodox. His loose-limbed, fleet-of-foot style makes him an awkward prospect. However, he can't back up his flashy act with the kind of punching power you might expect from someone with a cockiness reminiscent of Naseem Hamed. In fact, it's his punching power which remains his major weakness. In his last two fights both Wilton and Sexton were willing to walk through his punches to land their meatier blows.

In any other division, Ahmed would be a stepping stone for younger prospects, but with the lack of numbers in the flyweight division, expect to see him continue dancing around the title fringes.

What does the future hold? Ahmed's due to fight on January 21 against an unnamed opponent. Expect it to be a rematch with Francis Croes or a soft import.

Significant results: WPTS 4 Luke Wilton, Francis Croes WPTS 6, LUD 10 Chris Edwards, LKO 1 Ashley Sexton, LPTS 6 v Luke Wilton

7. Kevin Coglan

Record: W2 (0 KOs) L2 (0 KOs)

Four fight novice Kevin Coglan has shown early promise in his professional career. Winning a decision against Croes on his debut shows good form and a close win over the ever-slippery Anwar Alfadli is not to be sniffed at. A battling defeat to Luke Wilton also suggests he may be one to watch.

On the downside, Coglan's lean frame and pale-skinned features, suggest he will be liable to abrasions. Nonetheless, at 20-years old he will still be developing physically. In the meantime, his priority should surely be to gain further ring experience.

What does the future hold? Perhaps the Darlington man will fancy his chances of extending Usman Ahmed's losing streak.

Significant results: WPTS 4 Francis Croes, LPTS 4 Wilton, WPTS 4 Anwar Alfadli

8. Paul Kayes

Record: W1 (0 KOs) L0 D0

With only one contest under his belt, Paul Kayes is struggling to find bouts. Although in the British flyweight rankings, his debut fight was at light-flyweight and unfortunately there's not many of those about. Hopefully, the Downpatrick boxer will be able to make the higher weight because his debut suggested he has talent. Norredine Dahou had a W3-L1 record and came to win, but Kayes worked effectively behind the jab and got a deserved victory.

He might be good enough, but is he big enough?|

What does the future hold? A step up in weight.

Significant results: WPTS 4 Norredine Dahou

9. Francis Croes

Record: W1 (1 KO) L12 (1 KO)

While some fighters are gradually introduced to the harsh reality of professional boxing, others are thrown straight in the deep end. For his debut, a 20-year old Croes travelled all the way to Belarus to fight at the 'Club Reaktor' in Minsk. He dropped a decision to a hometown fighter. After another five distance losses to decent opposition, Croes then fought Swiss boxer Benjamin Pitteloud. In Switzerland of course. Once again he dropped a decision and touched canvas for the first time in his career. No matter, Croes was back in action in Wales two weeks later; no prizes for guessing the result.

In October last year, the Middlesborough-based fighter pocketed his first victory with a first round stoppage of Janko Janev. That remains his only win. He managed three more fights before the end of the year, which included a creditable effort against Chris Edwards and then a week later (yes, a week) failed to go the distance for the first time after retiring with a shoulder injury against Jamie Conlan.

Sometimes a fighters record doesn't tell the full story. Croes always puts up a good scrap and he looks like he can dig. He's a short powerful looking fighter who likes to get on the front foot, but he has an inability to beat his opponent to the punch, partly due to a shorter reach and perhaps a lack of speed and sharpness. Despite his willingness, it's hard to imagine the habit of defeat isn't ingrained in his psyche.

What does the future hold? How about a break and a couple of confidence building fights? I wouldn't predict a Chris Edward's style career upturn, but with the right fights and preparation, he could put together a few wins. He looks set to continue his career at super-flyweight.

Significant results: LPTS 6 Usman Ahmed, LPTS 6 Paul Edwards, LUD 8 Benjamin Pitteloud, WTKO 1 Janko Janev, LPTS 4 Chris Edwards, LRTD 3 Jamie Conlan