What is this "106" weight class I keep hearing about?

[PittyPat]

From what I can tell, it's 105 (strawweight) followed by 108 (light flyweight). Are people referring to the actual fighting weight of 106lbs at which Pacquiao initially fought, or a weight class at 106 which existed previously?

Just a wee bit confused here.

[-drebin-]

I'm pretty sure its light flyweight. I don't know my facts, but perhaps 106 lbs is the lightest he ever weighed in at for the light flyweight division.

[PittyPat]

I'm pretty sure its light flyweight.

Which would otherwise be referred to as "108".

perhaps 106 lbs is the lightest he ever weighed in at for the light flyweight division.

Makes sense, but a confirmation of such a rationale would be good.

[PittyPat]

Come on, out with it.

[mr. bojangles]

it's called Junior Light Flyweight, a catchweight!

[aether]

it's called Junior Light Flyweight, a catchweight!

pacquiao started his career at a catchweight...

[Nightelf]

did floyd fight at 106 aswell? and wasnt he the same age as pacquiao..

IF thats true then how come floyd fans dont use that as some sort of acclompishment like how every pacfan does?

[sweetpea87]

did floyd fight at 106 aswell? and wasnt he the same age as pacquiao..

IF thats true then how come floyd fans dont use that as some sort of acclompishment like how every pacfan does?

If he did it would have been in the amateurs, as where Pacquiao did it in the pros. Mayweather started pros at 130, and to answer the question I think people just say that because that was his weight when he was fighting in the junior flyweight division I guess. I have kind of wondered why they keep saying 106 as well.

[PittyPat]

did floyd fight at 106 aswell? and wasnt he the same age as pacquiao..

IF thats true then how come floyd fans dont use that as some sort of acclompishment like how every pacfan does?

That's not the point. It's whether "106" is being treated as an actual weight class by Pacquiao fans, or simply an official weight at which he fought - the latter of which kinda doesn't make sense, because we could start doing that for every fighter who hasn't fought at the weight limit of a particular division.

Wouldn't it be more correct to just generalise and say that he came up from 108 or light flyweight as opposed to a rather generic "106", which only serves to highlight how light he was? It's a bit silly.