Super-skilled technician Devin Haney sure knows how to make an entrance. In his debut at 140 pounds, the former undisputed lightweight champ was scintillating in a 12-round unanimous decision triumph over Regis Prograis.
Now holder of the WBC super lightweight title, the unbeaten Haney is poised for more megafights and there are plenty of options in this weight class. Fellow two-weight world titleholder Teofimo Lopez is the man who beat the man at super lightweight; IBF champ Subriel Matias is making waves; hotshot contender Ryan Garcia will settle here; and pound-for-pound standout Gervonta Davis has also campaigned at 140 pounds in the past.
MORE: Devin Haney decks and dominates Regis Prograis
The usual issues regarding broadcasters and promotional affiliations are sure to get in the way of some of these matchups, but, hopefully, some of these super lightweight stars will align.
In the wake of Haney's victory, The Sporting News has polled its global staff of boxing experts to produce the updated rankings at 140 pounds.
MORE: Top 12 male pound-for-pound fighters
12. Brandun Lee
Record: 28-0 (23 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
11. 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
10. Richardson Hitchins
Record: 17-0 (7 KOs)
Titles: N/A
New Yorker Hitchins had the look of a fighter who would rise to the occasion when the moment came and he didn't disappoint when it did.
Having represented Haiti at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Richardson initially went under the radar as a professional. However, once signed to Matchroom Boxing, the 26-year-old's star began to rise and he proved what all the fuss was about by comprehensively outpointing former world title challenger Jose Zepeda in September.
Next fight: TBA
9. Gary Antuanne Russell
Record: 17-0 (17 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.
He's scored sharp stoppage wins over former world champions Viktor Postol and Rances Barthelemy and 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. 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
7. Jack Catterall
Record: 28-1 (13 KOs)
Current titles: N/A
Although Catterall has 28 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 to outpoint Darragh Folley and all but whitewashed Linares. The affable English southpaw is calling for a world title fight and he is also determined to renew ties with Taylor, with whom there remains serious hostility.
Next fight: TBA
6. Regis Prograis
Record: 29-2 (24 KOS)
Current titles: N/A
The New Orleans star battered Jose Zepeda into submission in November 2022 to become a two-time world champion but had to settle for a listless split decision win over late replacement Danielito Zorrilla in his maiden defense.
Some expected Prograis to up his game for Devin Haney in their eagerly anticipated grudge match in December 2023. The 34-year-old said all the right things in the build-up, but he could not get going on fight night and was soundly outboxed by "The Dream".
Next fight: TBA
5. Jose Ramirez
Record: 29-1 (19 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: 20-1 (20 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 that 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 before taking out Shohjahon Ergashev in his maiden defense.
Next fight: TBA
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3. 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
2. Devin Haney
- Record: 31-0 (15 KOs)
- Current Titles: WBC super lightweight
Following a closer-than-expected win over former three-weight world champ Vasiliy Lomachenko, many felt the hype surrounding Devin Haney was OTT. Well, it only takes one fight to change perceptions, and Haney's 140-pound debut against Regis Prograis was dazzling.
Last year, Haney, 25, hit the elite level when he outpointed Kambosos (UD 12) to emerge as the first undisputed lightweight champion since Pernell Whitaker in the late 1980s. The young champ's speed, skill, judgment of distance and technical know-how are of the highest caliber.
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.
Next fight: TBA