Light welterweight, also known as junior welterweight[1] or super lightweight,[2] is a weight class in combat sports.

Boxing

Professional boxing

In professional boxing, light welterweight is contested between the lightweight and welterweight divisions, in which boxers weigh above 61.2kg or 135 pounds and up to 63.5 kg or 140 pounds. The first champion of this weight class was Pinky Mitchell in 1922, though he was only awarded his championship by a vote of the readers of the Boxing Blade magazine.

There was not widespread acceptance of this new weight division in its early years, and the New York State Athletic Commission withdrew recognition of it in 1930. The National Boxing Association continued to recognize it until its champion, Barney Ross relinquished the title in 1935 to concentrate on regaining the welterweight championship.

A few commissions recognized bouts in the 1940s as being for the light welterweight title, but the modern beginnings of this championship date from 1959 when Carlos Ortiz won the vacant title with a victory over Kenny Lane. Both the World Boxing Association (WBA) and the World Boxing Council (WBC) recognized the same champions until 1967, when the WBC stripped Paul Fuji of the title and matched Pedro Adigue and Adolph Pruitt for their version of the championship. Adigue won a fifteen-round decision. The International Boxing Federation (IBF) recognized Aaron Pryor as its first champion in 1984. Hector Camacho became the first World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion with his victory against Ray Mancini in 1989.[3]

Current world champions

Main article: List of world light-welterweight boxing champions
Sanctioning Body Reign Began Champion Record Defenses
WBA May 13, 2023 Rolando Romero 15–1 (13 KO) 0
WBC Dec 9, 2023 Devin Haney 31–0 (15 KO) 0
IBF February 25, 2023 Subriel Matías 20–1 (20 KO) 1
WBO June 10, 2023 Teofimo Lopez 19–1 (13 KO) 0

Current world rankings

The Ring

As of January 6, 2024.[4]

Keys:

 C  Current The Ring world champion
Rank Name Record Title(s)
C Teofimo Lopez 19–1 (13 KO) WBO
1 Devin Haney 31–0 (15 KO) WBC
2 Josh Taylor 19–1 (13 KO)
3 Subriel Matías 20–1 (20 KO) IBF
4 José Ramírez 28–1 (18 KO)
5 Regis Prograis 29–2 (24 KO)
6 Richardson Hitchins 17–0 (7 KO)
7 Jack Catterall 28–1 (13 KO)
8 Arnold Barboza Jr. 29–0 (11 KO)
9 Gary Antuanne Russell 17–0 (17 KO)
10 Sandor Martin 42–3 (15 KO)
BoxRec

As of 1 July 2022.[5]

Rank Name Record Points Title(s)
1 Teofimo Lopez 19–1 (13 KO) 288.7 WBO
2 Regis Prograis 26–1 (23 KO) 260.1
3 Jose Zepeda 35–2–0–2 (27 KO) 207.5
4 José Ramírez 26–1 (17 KO) 205.9
5 Jose Pedraza 29–3 (14 KO) 98.21
6 Robert Easter Jr. 23–1–1 (14 KO) 89.42
7 Arnold Barboza Jr. 26–0 (10 KO) 69.63
8 Viktor Postol 31–3 (12 KO) 69.37
9 Mario Barrios 26–1 (17 KO) 62.69
10 Jack Catterall 26–1 (13 KO) 48.52

Amateur boxing

In amateur boxing, light welterweight is a weight class for fighters weighing up to 64 kilograms. For the 1952 Summer Olympics, the division was created when the span from 54 to 67 kg was changed from three weight classes (featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight) to four. Perhaps the most famous amateur light welterweight champion is Sugar Ray Leonard, who went on to an impressive professional career.[6]

Olympic Champions

Notable fighters

Kickboxing

Lethwei

The World Lethwei Championship recognizes the light welterweight division with an upper limit of 63.5 kg (140 lb). In World Lethwei Championship Antonio Faria is the Light welterweight Champion.

References

  1. ^ "Ring Ratings" Archived 2015-11-15 at the Wayback Machine. The Ring. Retrieved 2015-06-07.
  2. ^ "Current WBA Champions". WBA. Retrieved 2015-06-07.
  3. ^ "Hector Camacho vs. Ray Mancini - BoxRec".
  4. ^ "The Ring ratings: light welterweight". Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  5. ^ "BoxRec ratings: super light, active". Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Boxing's Greatest Fighters: Sugar Ray Leonard - classic - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2007-04-03. Retrieved 2011-12-06.

External links

Weight classes in boxing
Categories