Who is the top 140 lb fighter?

By Alex Fesl: The 140 lb division is, certainly, the most intriguing division in boxing right now. This division is house to a few of boxing’s brightest abilities in addition to a number of rising stars. Given the quantity of proficient fighters at 140 lbs, who stands above the relaxation?

The Champions:

Regis Prograis (WBC): Current Matchroom signee, Prograis is considered one in every of the most proficient fighters in the 140 lb division. Most lately, in late 2022, we noticed Prograis dominate the powerful Jose Zepeda to say the WBC title. In Prograis’ most notable combat, he battled Josh Taylor in a unification title combat however would find yourself shedding by majority resolution. Many followers seen that combat as a toss-up at the finish, as each fighters confirmed great expertise all through. The one criticism of Prograis’ resume is the lack of a signature victory. With a robust promotion workforce behind him now, hopefully Prograis can show his doubters mistaken. Maybe a rematch with Taylor?

Josh Taylor (WBO): After defeating Jose Carlos Ramirez in 2021 in a powerful efficiency, Taylor grew to become the undisputed tremendous light-weight champion holding the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF belts, respectively. Taylor would comply with that win with a lackluster and controversial resolution win vs. Jack Catterall in early 2022. Since then, Taylor has been stripped of all his belts as a result of inactivity besides the WBO belt, which he shall be defending towards Teofimo Lopez later this 12 months. All in all, Taylor has proven to be one in every of the finest 140 lb fighters regardless of the stalling of his profession currently.

Subriel Matias (IBF): This previous February, Matias would seize the IBF title after a sensational stoppage victory over then-undefeated Jeremias Ponce. Matias likewise boasts a powerful 100% knockout ratio in his 19 victories. Regardless of these spectacular stats, Matias has but to face a top quality opponent so it’s troublesome to say if he’s the actual deal or not.

Rolando “Rolly” Romero (WBA): Rolly was gifted the WBA title final week after the referee inexplicably stopped the combat in favor of Romero towards Ismael Barroso. Barroso was forward on all three judges’ scorecards at the time of the stoppage and appeared to be on his technique to a call victory. In an ideal world, the WBA would order a direct rematch or name this combat a no-contest as the referee made a transparent mistake. In actuality, Rolly will most definitely look to safe a payday towards an undeserving opponent.

Whereas Rolly is an entertaining character and showman, he doesn’t have the energy or expertise to be an elite 140 lb fighter.

The Contenders:

Jack Catterall: Most observers and followers scored Catterall profitable an in depth resolution over the then undisputed champion Taylor final 12 months. Securing a rematch vs. Taylor has proved to be fruitless for Catterall. It has been talked about that Catterall could also be in line for the winner of the Taylor vs. Lopez match, however Catterall ought to most likely take a look at different choices somewhat than waste time negotiating with Taylor once more. A combat with Prograis can be intriguing.

Teofimo Lopez: The previous unified light-weight champion has not seemed very spectacular since his surprising victory over Lomachenko in 2020. Lopez would comply with that win together with his first profession loss to George Kambosos Jr after which two lackluster performances vs. Pedro Campa and Sandor Martin. Lopez is scheduled to tackle Taylor later this 12 months, however based mostly on his previous few outings, he’ll most definitely be schooled by the world-class Taylor.

Jose Carlos Ramirez: The previous WBC and WBO champion at 140 lbs has seemingly taken a number of steps again after shedding to Taylor again in 2021. In 2022 Ramirez defeated previous prime Jose Pedraza in a uninteresting affair, and this previous March, he defeated an equally pale Richard Commey in a snoozer. Ramirez had a chance to tackle Prograis this 12 months for the WBC strap however determined to face Commey as an alternative.

Gary Antuanne Russell: Russell could also be the most proficient fighter in all of the 140 lb division. He possesses knockout energy and top-level expertise. In his final two fights, we’ve seen Russell dominate and cease high quality opponents Viktor Postol and Rances Barthelemy. Russell will doubtless be prevented by the top fighters, and we could find yourself seeing Russell transfer up in weight for higher fights.

Ryan Garcia: Most lately, we noticed Ryan get stopped by celebrity Gervonta “Tank” Davis of their extremely anticipated PPV affair. Whereas that combat was at a catchweight, Ryan appears to be like to cement himself at 140 lbs, the place he feels most comfy bodily. It is going to be fascinating to see Ryan’s profession progress as he’s one in every of the hottest fighters right now. But, at the identical time, Ryan nonetheless has an extended technique to go to compete with the elites.

Wildcards:

Terence Crawford: Former undisputed champ at 140 lbs and present WBO welterweight champion Crawford has expressed in the previous that he was open to taking up Josh Taylor. With the unending negotiations nonetheless ongoing with Errol Spence, perhaps Crawford will make a return to the 140 lb division to shake issues up. Followers can be way more fascinated with seeing Crawford preventing Taylor or Prograis than guys like David Avanesyan.

Devin Haney: Undisputed light-weight champion Haney has expressed in the previous that he has hassle making the 135 lb restrict. Win or lose, we’ll doubtless see Hanney transfer as much as 140 lbs after his upcoming combat with Lomachenko this weekend. Can Haney make a splash at 140 lbs?

Adrien Broner: Whereas we could have seen the finest days of Broner way back, don’t be shocked for those who see Broner in a high-profile combat subsequent 12 months. Fairly apparently, Prograis and Rolly Romero have expressed a need to combat Broner in the previous. Polarizing as he could also be, a motivated and centered Broner is nonetheless a top quality fighter, and followers will tune in to see him combat.

Closing Ideas

Regardless of being stripped of his titles and controversial win vs. Catterall, I consider Taylor stands above the relaxation. Simply the resume alone, Taylor has wins over Catterall, Ramirez, Prograis, Postol, and Ohara Davies. Rather more spectacular than his fellow 140 lb opponents.

With that mentioned, who do you suppose is the finest 140 lb fighter? Let me know in the feedback.