The outspoken and undeniably gifted Teofimo Lopez is known as "The Takeover" and on June 10 he lived up to that name in scoring a 12-round unanimous decision win over long-reigning super lightweight champion Josh Taylor in New York City.
It was a victory that made Lopez a two-weight world titleholder, having previously ruled at lightweight, and reinstated him among the pound-for-pound best. However, the 140-pound division is one of the hottest in boxing and it's harder to stay on top than to get there.
The Sporting News has polled its global staff of boxing experts to produce the updated rankings at super lightweight.
12. Sandor Martin
Record: 40-3 (13 KOs)
Titles: N/A
Remember the super-talented multi-weight world champ Mikey Garcia? He was in the process of attempting a rebuild and selected European champ Martin as a warmup opponent. That was a decision that he lived to regret. Martin boxed brilliantly that night and claimed a career-defining triumph after 10 rounds, retiring Garcia in the process.
But it hasn’t been all good news since that big upset in October 2021. The 29-year-old Martin is 1-1 in his last two fights, having claimed a shutout decision over Jose Felix (UD 10) before falling short against current king Teofimo Lopez (MD 10) in a very close fight.
Next fight: Arblin Kaba on July 15.
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11. Brandun Lee
Record: 23-0 (20 KOs)
Titles: N/A
Lee was The Ring Magazine Prospect of the Year for 2021 and is still on course for an earnest assault on super lightweight gold.
There was a brief bump on the road in August last year when Will Madera floored him with a sonic-boom right hand to the head, but Lee responded the way he was supposed to. He shook off the blow, gathered his senses, and took over the fight. The 24-year-old Californian has scored two routine wins in 2023 and is due to step up to world level.
Next fight: TBA
10. Shohjahon Ergashev
Record: 23-0 (20 KOs)
Titles: N/A
Ergashev is a 5-10½ southpaw, he’s got an 87% knockout ratio, and over half his fights (12) have ended in the opening round. How many reasons do you want to avoid this guy?
The Uzbek fighter hasn’t mixed with anyone of renown yet, but he’s absolutely demolishing what’s put in front of him and that’s a good sign for the future. The 31-year-old knockout artist needs a step up in class as soon as possible and it will take a very good fighter to knock him off his perch. The good news is that he’s been linked to IBF champ Subriel Matias.
Next fight: TBA
9. Gary Antuanne Russell
Record: 16-0 (16 KOs)
Titles: N/A
Russell hails from a famous fighting family, he’s got a 100% knockout ratio, electrifying hand speed, and excellent positioning. There’s a sense of destiny about the 27-year-old southpaw from Capitol Heights, Maryland, and any hype you may hear is warranted.
In his last two outings, Russell has scored sharp stoppage wins over former world champions Viktor Postol and Rances Barthelemy. He is currently rated No.3 by the WBC. There aren’t many more levels to ascend, so expect to see Russell in a big fight very soon.
Next fight: TBA
8. Jose Zepeda
Record: 36-3 (27 KOs)
Titles: N/A
“Chon” is one of the hardest hitters in the super lightweight division, but if he didn’t have bad luck, he’d have no luck. A Long Beach native, Zepeda lost his first world title fight to Britain’s Terry Flanagan after suffering a horrific shoulder injury. Next up, he was deemed very unlucky not to get the decision against then-WBC lightweight champ Jose Ramirez.
More recently, Zepeda ran into a firing-on-all-cylinders version of Regis Prograis, who stopped him in 11 rounds to lift the WBC title. At 34 years old now, the former three-time world title challenger needs a break, but boxing is an unforgiving sport.
Next fight: TBA
7. Arnold Barboza Jr.
Record: 28-0 (10 KOs)
Titles: N/A
Barboza is not known as a knockout artist, but he’s got everything else in abundance. The Long Beach star has a busy and varied attack, which opponents find difficult to defend against. He’s also an excellent body puncher.
In his most recent outings, Barboza has claimed decision triumphs over Antonio Moran, Danielito Zorrilla and former champ Jose Pedraza in convincing fashion. A title shot looks imminent, but, at 31 years old, he doesn’t have a lot of time to waste.
Next fight: TBA
6. Jack Catterall
Record: 27-1 (13 KOs)
Current titles: N/A
Although Catterall has 27 authentic wins on his ledger, the Lancashire man made his bones in defeat. In February 2022, Catterall dropped a highly controversial unanimous decision to then-undisputed champion Josh Taylor in Glasgow. The result was a bitter disappointment, but the good news is that Catterall emerged as an elite-level force.
A Taylor rematch proved to be snakebitten, so Catterall was out of action for a long time. He returned in May 2023 and posted a 10-round unanimous decision over Darragh Folley in Manchester. The English southpaw has been connected to Regis Prograis in the past but deserves another title shot regardless of who the opponent is.
Next fight: TBA
5. Jose Ramirez
Record: 28-1 (18 KOs)
Current titles: N/A
While the former unified champ has slipped down the ratings in recent years, he still has more than enough left to claim more glory. Ramirez has been quite inactive since losing his unbeaten record to Josh Taylor, but he showcased his talents against both Jose Pedraza (UD 12) and, more recently, Richard Commey (KO 11).
That’s two former champs chopped down in Ramirez’s two most recent outings, so you can expect to see the amiable ex-champ vie for another world title sooner rather than later. The Mexican star was recently linked to a WBO eliminator against Liam Paro although nothing has been confirmed.
Next fight: TBA
4. Subriel Matias
Record: 19-1 (19 KOs)
Current titles: IBF super lightweight
With all the established stars in this division, it’s tempting to call Matias a "dark horse" or a "newcomer", but he’s been around for years. It’s just, who’s in a rush to face an imposing Puerto Rican boxer-puncher with a 100% knockout ratio?
Matias suffered a blip against Petros Ananyan (UD 10) but bounced back to avenge his sole defeat via ninth-round stoppage last year. That victory set up a shot at the vacant IBF crown, and Matias seized the opportunity in February, blasting his way through the previously unbeaten Jeremias Ponce in five rounds. Prograis has gamely stepped up and is calling out the 31-year-old titleholder for a unification bout.
Next fight: TBA
3. Regis Prograis
Record: 29-1 (24 KOS)
Current titles: WBC super lightweight
The New Orleans star has everything: speed, skill, power and swagger. His November 2022 triumph over Jose Zepeda (KO 11), which saw him capture his second world title in this weight class, was a wonderful example of what Prograis can do when he’s at his best.
However, in his Matchroom debut on June 17, the 34-year-old lefty had to settle for a listless split decision win over late replacement Danielito Zorrilla. And while it wouldn’t be wise to judge Prograis on that performance, he’ll need to produce far better against the division's elite.
Next fight: TBA
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2. Josh Taylor
Record: 19-1 (13 KOS)
Current titles: N/A
Taylor was the favorite going into the Lopez fight, but he just could not solve his fleet-footed and quick-fisted nemesis. Career-wise, the Scot has been through a trying time over the past 18 months. There was the controversial decision against Catterall, injuries, and yet another change of trainer.
His days at this weight may now be over, but it would be remiss not to acknowledge Taylor’s prior success at 140 pounds. On route to becoming undisputed champion, the 32-year-old southpaw handed world-class operators Ivan Baranchyk (UD 12), Regis Prograis (MD 12), and Jose Ramirez (UD 12) their first career defeats.
Next fight: TBA
1. Teofimo Lopez
Record: 19-1 (13 KOs)
Current titles: WBO and Ring Magazine super lightweight
Many were convinced that Lopez, even at the tender age of 25, had seen better days. Since being derailed by George Kambosos (SD 12), he’d shown none of the ambition that took him to a history-making lightweight title triumph over Vasiliy Lomachenko in October 2020. Not only was the boxing world doubting the ex-champ, but he also appeared to be doubting himself.
Well, any and all doubts about whether Lopez could still perform at the elite level were debunked when the loquacious Brooklynite scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Josh Taylor at Madison Square Garden. Lopez retired almost immediately, but nobody is buying it, and the WBO still have him listed as champion.
Next fight: TBA