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Who is the best Super Lightweight Boxer?

The junior welterweight division feels different heading into 2026, and not in a loud or flashy way. With several big names moving up, what is left behind is a division that rewards patience, timing, and clean execution over chaos. Fights are slower, but they mean more, and small mistakes now decide entire rounds instead of being brushed off in wild exchanges.

There is also a sense that no single fighter fully owns the division yet, even with multiple champions in place. Different styles are pulling things in opposite directions, from defensive specialists controlling distance to pressure fighters forcing uncomfortable exchanges.

Shakur Stevenson sits at the center of that conversation after his win over Teofimo Lopez, while Dalton Smith continues to build momentum as a dangerous counterpuncher. But what makes this year stand out is how quickly things can change. One strong performance can move a contender into a title fight, while a single loss can drop someone out of the picture.

With unification talks always complicated and mandatory defenses lining up, the path to the top is anything but straightforward, and that uncertainty is what makes 2026 so interesting.

So, here is a look at the Top 10 Jr. Welterweight Boxers in the World Right Now.

What is a Super Lightweight in Boxing?

Super Lightweight (or Junior Welterweight, Light Welterweight) is a weight class of boxers that consists of boxers weighing between 135 pounds (61.2 kg) and to a maximum of 140 pounds (63.5 kg).

The following are the Best Super Lightweight Boxers in the World.

Honorable Mentions

Lindolfo Delgado

Just outside the Top 10 Jr. Welterweight Boxers in the World Right Now sits Lindolfo Delgado, who enters 2026 undefeated at 24-0 with 16 knockouts, quietly building momentum while positioning himself as one of the next serious challengers in the division.

Delgado picked up a split decision win over Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela in November 2025, controlling most of the fight with sharp timing and clean counters, though he had to survive a late knockdown in the final round to secure the win.

That fight showed both his strengths and what still needs to improve, especially late-fight defense under pressure. Still, with a mandatory title shot expected against Richardson Hitchins, Delgado feels very close to making the jump into the Top 10.

Alberto Puello

Another name just outside the Top 10 Jr. Welterweight Boxers in the World Right Now list is Alberto Puello, who enters 2026 with a 24-1 record after a stretch that included a title run, a setback, and now a clear path back into contention.

Puello lost his last fight in July 2025 by majority decision to Subriel Matías in a close and debated bout where his movement had success, but he spent long stretches dealing with constant pressure and body work from Matías.

Yet his earlier wins over Gary Antuanne Russell and Sandor Martín showed he can compete at the highest level. With a scheduled fight against Dalton Smith coming up, Puello has a real chance to push himself back into the rankings.

Top 10 Super Lightweight Boxing Rankings

10. Adam Azim

At number 10 on the Top 10 Jr. Welterweight Boxers in the World Right Now list is Adam Azim, who enters 2026 undefeated at 14-0 with 11 knockouts while continuing to build his name as one of the fastest rising fighters in the division.

Azim picked up a stoppage win over Kurt Scoby in November 2025, closing the fight in round 12 after controlling most of the action with his jab and movement, while his earlier win over Sergey Lipinets showed he can handle experienced opposition across longer rounds.

However, he is still adjusting to higher level competition where patience and positioning become more important. With his speed and power already proven, Azim has a real chance to move into contention if he continues building experience against stronger opponents this year.

9. Arnold Barboza Jr.

Arnold Barboza Jr. holds a 33-1 record and remains one of the most consistent fighters tied to the 140-pound division, even after recently stepping up in weight. His steady approach and ability to control pace have kept him relevant against a mix of contenders and former champions.

He most recently earned a unanimous decision win over Kenneth Sims Jr. in March 2026, dictating the fight with volume and clean combinations while limiting exchanges. Before that, his loss to Teofimo Lopez showed he can struggle when facing quicker counterpunchers who control timing.

Still, Barboza’s work rate and discipline continue to give him an edge in longer fights. With experience against high-level opponents and a style that wears fighters down over time, he remains a difficult matchup and a steady presence around the top level.

8. Subriel Matías

Subriel Matías enters 2026 with a 23-3 record and remains one of the most physically demanding fighters in the division. Known for his pressure and high knockout rate, he forces opponents into long exchanges where endurance and composure become just as important as skill.

His most recent fight ended in a stoppage loss to Dalton Smith in January 2026, where Matías started aggressively but was caught by a clean counter right hand in round 5. The referee stepped in after he struggled to respond under sustained pressure.

Yet his earlier win over Alberto Puello showed he can still compete at the highest level when dictating pace. If he can adjust defensively while keeping his pressure, Matías remains a difficult challenge for any opponent over twelve rounds.

7. Keyshawn Davis

Keyshawn Davis holds a perfect 14-0 record and continues to climb quickly after moving up to 140 pounds. His background shows in his control, timing, and ability to stay composed against different styles across multiple fights.

He earned a clear unanimous decision win over Jamaine Ortiz in January 2026, controlling distance and tempo from the opening round. Before that, he stopped Gustavo Lemos in round 2, showing that his power has carried over well into this weight class.

However, he has not yet faced a current champion at 140 pounds, which leaves some questions about how his style holds up at the very top level. With his skill set and steady progression, Davis looks ready for bigger fights in the near future.

6. Teofimo Lopez

Teofimo Lopez enters 2026 with a 22-2 record and remains one of the most difficult fighters to evaluate in the division. At his best, he can control fights with speed and timing, but his performances have varied depending on rhythm and focus.

He is coming off a clear unanimous decision loss to Shakur Stevenson in January 2026, where he struggled to deal with distance and missed frequently across twelve rounds. Before that, he earned a solid decision win over Arnold Barboza Jr., showing sharper timing and cleaner counters.

Still, Lopez has proven he can compete with top fighters when everything aligns, even if consistency has been an issue. With questions around his future at 140 pounds, his next move could shape how he fits into the division moving forward.

5. Isaac Cruz

Isaac Cruz enters 2026 with a 28-3-2 record and remains one of the most physically demanding fighters in the division. His aggressive approach and constant pressure continue to define his style, forcing opponents into uncomfortable exchanges over long stretches of each fight.

He became WBA champion in March 2024 with a knockout win over Rolando Romero, but lost the title later that year by split decision to Jose Valenzuela in August. In December 2025, he fought Lamont Roach Jr. to a draw for the interim WBC title.

That stretch shows both his ability to compete at a high level and the challenges he faces against more disciplined opponents. With the interim WBC belt now in hand, Cruz remains in position for bigger fights, including a possible rematch that could shape his next step.

4. Gary Antuanne Russell

Gary Antuanne Russell enters 2026 with a 19-1 record and currently holds the WBA title, establishing himself as one of the most dangerous punchers in the division. His aggressive style and ability to hurt opponents early continue to make him a difficult matchup.

He won the WBA belt in March 2025 with a dominant unanimous decision over Jose Valenzuela, controlling the fight across twelve rounds. In his most recent bout in February 2026, he defended the title against Andy Hiraoka, securing another unanimous decision after a competitive fight.

That run has helped rebuild his position following a split decision loss to Alberto Puello in June 2024. With his power and steady activity, Russell remains a strong presence at the top of the division as he looks to continue defending his title.

3. Richardson Hitchins

Richardson Hitchins enters 2026 undefeated at 20-0 and holds the IBF title after establishing himself as one of the most controlled fighters in the division. His approach focuses on distance, timing, and limiting mistakes, making him a difficult opponent over twelve rounds.

He won the IBF belt with a unanimous decision over George Kambosos Jr. in October 2025, controlling the fight from start to finish with his jab and footwork. Before that, he edged Gustavo Lemos in a close bout where he had to manage constant pressure.

His lower knockout numbers remain part of the discussion when comparing him to other champions. Even so, his ability to dictate pace and avoid damage keeps him firmly among the top fighters at 140 pounds moving forward.

2. Dalton Smith

Dalton Smith enters 2026 undefeated at 20-0 with 15 knockouts and currently holds the WBC title after a steady rise through the division. His style focuses on patience, timing, and picking the right moments to engage rather than forcing exchanges early.

He captured the WBC belt with a TKO win over Subriel Matías in January 2026, landing a clean counter right hand in round 5 that shifted the fight. Prior to that, he earned a decision win over Sandor Martín, showing discipline across twelve rounds.

Smith has shown he can handle both pressure fighters and technical opponents without losing control of the pace. With a title defense against Alberto Puello scheduled, he continues to build his position as one of the most complete fighters in the division.

1. Shakur Stevenson

Shakur Stevenson holds the top spot after moving into the 140-pound division and quickly establishing control with a 23-0 record. His style is built around precision, defense, and distance, making him one of the most difficult fighters to hit cleanly over twelve rounds.

He is coming off a unanimous decision win over Teofimo Lopez in January 2026, where he controlled the pace from start to finish and limited Lopez’s offense. Across the fight, Stevenson dictated range, landed clean shots, and avoided sustained exchanges almost entirely.

Besides, his ability to stay disciplined and adjust mid-fight separates him from most contenders in this division. As unification talks continue, Stevenson remains the standard at 140 pounds, with other fighters needing to solve his style to claim the top position.

How would you rank these top Super Lightweight boxers in these Boxing Rankings? Talk about it in the comments.

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