January 4th 1885 - Durbin, South Africa
CCBF Chairman Lord Chilton has issues a press release indicating that the Chilton Cup competition will not be contested in the Flyweight Division this year. "Their are concerns" stated Lord Chilton, "that there has been prolific compromises in this newest of boxing weight classes. Without expounding upon these details, it has been deemed by the governing board of the Chilton Cup, that it is in the best interest of the sport to cancel competition in this divsion." Lord Chilton went on to say that regional Championship matches would be held through the year and that he fully expected the competition for the cup to begin in this weight class in 1886.
There has been rampant discussion, unconfirmed, that there have been "professional" fights held at this division featuring boys as young as 12, who are passed off as older Fighters in order to make the weight restrictions of the class. Rumors are, that the World governing board is instituting requirements to ensure that all competitors in this, and every weight class, will have attained the age of 16 prior to being allowed to fight for profit. It is also well known that this weight class is largely made up of frail and sickly men at this time, who are not in the fighting form of some of Boxings more established divisions. The general feeling among those in charge, is that to award a Cup Championship to any of this lot, would be an embarrassment to the sport.