Top 10 Welterweight Boxing Rankings
With former leaders gone, the 147-pound division feels wide open in 2026 as new champions emerge such as Devin Haney and rising names such as Ryan Garcia fight to prove they deserve the top spot.
The welterweight division is stepping into 2026 with a completely different feel. For years, things were predictable at the top, but that structure is gone now. With former leaders moving up in weight, the division has opened up, and suddenly every fight carries more weight than before.
There is no safety net, no clear hierarchy, and that uncertainty is exactly what makes this moment so interesting. What stands out right away is how fragmented everything looks. Titles are spread across multiple fighters, styles are clashing more often, and there is no single name controlling the narrative.
Some fighters rely on movement and control, others push forward with constant pressure, and a few are still figuring out where they belong. At the center of it, Devin Haney has positioned himself as the current benchmark after his win over Brian Norman Jr., while Ryan Garcia has reentered the picture with a title of his own and a style that always brings attention.
Around them, fighters like Eimantas Stanionis and Rolando Romero add completely different challenges, making it harder to define what the “ideal” welterweight even looks like right now. Looking ahead, 2026 feels less about dominance and more about opportunity. That is what makes this ranking different. It is not just about who is on top today, but who is in position to take control next.
And with that in mind, here is a look at the Top 10 Welterweight Boxers in the World Right Now.
What is a Welterweight in Boxing?
Welterweight is a boxing weight class that includes fighters weighing up to 147 pounds (66.7 kg). It sits between the lightweight and middleweight divisions.
The following are the Best Welterweight Boxers in the World.
Honorable Mentions
Alexis Rocha
Just outside the Top 10 Welterweight Boxers in the World Right Now sits Alexis Rocha, who enters the season with a record of 25 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw after quietly rebuilding his place following a difficult period filled with canceled fights and lingering doubts.
Rocha pushed back against some of that doubt in March 2026, earning a solid decision win over Joseph Diaz Jr. He kept a steady pace, stayed committed to the body, and, honestly, never gave Diaz much space to really get comfortable across all twelve rounds.
Still, those earlier setbacks cannot just be ignored when stacking him against fighters already inside the Top 10. A canceled bout with Raul Curiel and that 2024 draw slowed everything down, yet he feels close, like one strong night could change everything again.
Raul Curiel
Another name just outside the Top 10 Welterweight Boxers in the World Right Now list is Raul Curiel, who has quietly put together one of the steadiest runs in the division. With an undefeated record of 17-0-1, he has stayed busy, kept collecting wins, and slowly built real momentum over the past year.
Curiel earned a decision win over Jordan Panthen in January 2026, moving up in weight on short notice after a late change in opponent. He stayed calm throughout, set the pace himself, and used simple, steady combinations to manage a naturally bigger opponent across the entire fight.
But he still hasn’t taken on a true top-level contender, and that makes it harder to rank him above more tested fighters. Even so, with his unbeaten record and steady momentum, he feels very close, like just one strong win could push him into the rankings.
Top 10 Welterweight Boxers – World Rankings
10. Conor Benn
At number 10 on the Top 10 Welterweight Boxers in the World Right Now list is Conor Benn, who enters the season with a record of 23 wins and 0 losses after stepping outside the division and proving he can compete at a higher weight level.
Benn is coming off a decision win over Chris Eubank Jr. in November 2025, where he showed improved control, scoring two knockdowns late and managing the pace across all rounds. His pressure style and conditioning stood out against a naturally bigger opponent throughout the fight.
Yet his resume at welterweight still lacks a defining win against the current champions, which keeps him at this spot for now. As the WBC mandatory challenger, he remains in position to change that quickly with the right matchup.
9. Shakhram Giyasov
At number 9 on the Top 10 Welterweight Boxers in the World Right Now list is Shakhram Giyasov, who enters the season with a record of 15 wins and 0 losses while continuing to build his case as one of the most technically disciplined fighters in the division.
Giyasov is coming off a knockout win over Franco Ocampo in April 2025, where he controlled the early rounds before finishing the fight in the fourth. His ability to stay patient and pick his moments stood out, especially against an opponent willing to engage.
However, his activity has not matched others around him, which slows his climb in the rankings. As the WBA mandatory challenger, he remains in position for a title shot, and that opportunity could define his place in the division.
8. Lewis Crocker
Title(s):
- IBF Welterweight World Champion
At number 8 on the Top 10 Welterweight Boxers in the World Right Now list is Lewis Crocker, who enters the 2025-2026 season with a record of 22 wins and 0 losses while holding the IBF title through pressure, durability, and a calm mindset in close fights.
Crocker earned the IBF belt with a split decision over Paddy Donovan in September 2025, a full fight that saw two key knockdowns make the difference. He stayed on the front foot and handled the shifting momentum better, particularly as the fight moved into later rounds.
Even so, his approach can leave space for more technical fighters who are better at controlling distance and tempo. That could be tested soon. Still, as a champion with both power and toughness, he remains a key figure in the division right now.
7. Giovani Santillán
At number 7 is Giovani Santillán, who enters the season with a record of 35 wins and 1 loss after rebuilding his position step by step following his first career defeat in 2024 while staying active and consistent in a division that keeps changing.
He comes off a decision win over Courtney Pennington on January 31, 2026, where he controlled most of the fight across ten rounds. Santillán stayed disciplined, used steady pressure, and relied on body work to edge out rounds on the scorecards.
But questions are still there about how his style performs against more technical fighters. His loss to Brian Norman Jr. showed some defensive concerns. Still, his pressure and volume make him a hard fight for anyone, keeping him right in the mix going forward.
6. Liam Paro
Liam Paro comes in at number 6 with a record of 27 wins and 1 loss after making a steady move up to the welterweight division following his run at 140 lbs, bringing experience and composure into a weight class filled with physical pressure fighters.
Paro is coming off a decision win over David Papot in September 2025, a fight where he dealt with a serious eye injury but still controlled the action across most rounds. He relied on timing, movement, and composure to secure the result despite the setback.
Yet, he has not faced a top-level welterweight contender, which leaves some uncertainty about his ceiling at this weight. With a mandatory shot at the IBF title ahead, he has a clear chance to prove where he belongs in the division.
5. Ryan Garcia
Title(s):
- WBC Welterweight World Champion
Ryan Garcia lands at number 5 with a record of 25 wins and 2 losses after reestablishing himself in the division with a title win, showing improved patience and control while adjusting his style against stronger and more experienced welterweight opponents.
Garcia is coming off a decision win over Mario Barrios in February 2026, where he showed a more controlled approach across twelve rounds. He scored an early knockdown and managed distance well, relying on timing and speed rather than forcing exchanges throughout the fight.
Still, consistency remains the main question when he faces disciplined fighters who can slow the pace. His power and speed give him an edge in most matchups, and with a title in hand, he stays central to how the division shapes out.
4. Rolando Romero
Title(s):
- WBA Welterweight World Champion
Rolando Romero holds the number 4 spot with a record of 17 wins and 2 losses after moving into the welterweight division and claiming the WBA title, using an unorthodox approach and physical strength to disrupt opponents who rely on structure and rhythm.
Romero is coming off a decision win over Ryan Garcia in May 2025, where he used pressure and physical strength to control key moments. He forced exchanges, stayed active, and limited Garcia’s rhythm across rounds to secure a clear result on the scorecards.
Yet, his technical flaws continue to raise questions against more disciplined fighters who can manage distance. His power keeps him competitive in any fight, and as a titleholder, he remains directly involved in the division’s biggest matchups moving forward.
3. Eimantas Stanionis
Eimantas Stanionis comes in at number 3 with a record of 16 wins and 1 loss, bringing a physical style built on pressure, a strong jab, and consistent output that makes him one of the most difficult fighters to deal with over the course of a full fight.
Stanionis is coming off a decision win over Jabulani Makhense in September 2025, where he controlled the pace across ten rounds. He stayed consistent with his pressure, worked behind the jab, and limited exchanges that could shift momentum late in the fight.
However, his loss to Jaron Ennis earlier exposed challenges against faster and more technical fighters. That remains part of the conversation when comparing him to the top names. Still, his strength and consistency keep him firmly among the division’s most reliable contenders.
2. Brian Norman Jr.
Brian Norman Jr. takes the number 2 spot, entering the season with a record of 28 wins and 1 loss while continuing to establish himself as one of the most physically imposing fighters in the division with power and forward pressure that can change fights quickly.
Norman Jr. is coming off a decision loss to Devin Haney in November 2025, where he struggled to control distance despite staying aggressive. He had moments late in the fight, but Haney’s movement and jab limited his ability to land consistently across rounds.
Before that loss, his knockout win over Jin Sasaki in June 2025 stood out as one of the most impactful finishes in the division. With a record of 28 wins and 1 loss, his combination of power and age keeps him in a strong position moving forward.
1. Devin Haney
Title(s):
- WBO Welterweight World Champion
Devin Haney takes the number 1 spot with a record of 33 wins, 0 losses, and 1 no contest after establishing himself as the leading name in the welterweight division, using control, movement, and consistency to stay ahead of the rest of the field.
Haney is coming off a decision win over Brian Norman Jr. in November 2025, where he controlled the fight with his jab and movement. He scored a knockdown early and managed distance throughout, limiting exchanges and staying consistent across all twelve rounds.
But his defensive awareness and ability to dictate pace separate him from others in the division right now. With the WBO title in hand and potential unification fights ahead, he remains the benchmark that every contender is measured against.
How would you rank these Contenders and Champions? Rank below to be added in the Boxing Power Rankings
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