The skids are often greased for some fighters to become world champions. However, when a gutsy contender finally reaches their goal after overcoming setbacks and adversity, it can be a very special moment.
Such was the case when Lamont Roach scored a close split decision triumph over Hector Garcia to lift the WBA super featherweight title at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas on November 25. A knockdown by Roach in the final round proved decisive on the scorecards.
As a result, Roach debuts in our super featherweight ratings at No.4, behind his three world championship counterparts, while Garcia drops two spots to No.6.
The only other change in the ratings is Robson Conceicao, who moves up to No.5 after holding division leader Emmanuel Navarette to a draw on November 16.
Super featherweight rankings: The Sporting News' top 12
| Rank | Fighter | Titles | Record | Movement (Jan. 2) |
| 1 | Emmanuel Navarette | WBO | 38-1-1 (31 KOs) | - |
| 2 | Joe Cordina | IBF | 17-0 (9 KOs) | - |
| 3 | O'Shaquie Foster | WBC | 21-2 (12 KOs) | - |
| 4 | Lamont Roach | WBA | 24-1-1 (9 KOs) | NEW |
| 5 | Robson Conceicao | 17-2-1 (8 KOs) | +2 | |
| 6 | Hector Garcia | 16-2 (10 KOs) | -2 | |
| 7 | Oscar Valdez | 31-2 (23 KOs) | - | |
| 8 | Shavkat Rakhimov | 17-1-1 (14 KOs) | - | |
| 9 | Otar Eranosyan | 14-0 (7 KOs) | - | |
| 10 | Anthony Cacace | 21-1 (7 KOs) | - | |
| 11 | Andres Cortes | 20-0 (11 KOs) | - | |
| 12 | Elnur Samedov | 17-1 (7 KOs) | - |
The best in the world at super featherweight: Emmanuel Navarette
Emmanuel Navarrete established himself as an elite operator long before he entered the super featherweight division. The Mexican boxer-puncher had already won titles at super bantamweight and featherweight before he halted Liam Wilson in 10 rounds to become a three-weight world champion.
Navarrette, 33, has scored wins over Isaac Dogboe (twice), Christoper Diaz, Joet Gonzalez and Oscar Valdez. His form dipped slightly in a recent draw with Robson Conceicao, but Navarrete is still in the mix for big fights in and around this division.
The Sporting News' Boxing Ratings
Rules | Men's P4P | Women's P4P
Heavyweight | Cruiserweight | Super Middleweight | Super Lightweight | Lightweight | Super Featherweight | Featherweight | Light Flyweight | Minimumweight