Light middleweight

Light middleweight,[1] also known as junior middleweight[2][3][4] or super welterweight,[5][6][7] is a weight class in boxing but also may include other combat sports.

Boxing

The light middleweight division (also known as junior middleweight in the IBF or super welterweight in the WBA and WBC), is a weight division in professional boxing, above 66.7 kg and up to 69.9 kg (147–154 pounds).

History

This division was established in 1961, when the Austrian Board of Control recognized a fight between Emile Griffith and Teddy Wright for the "world" championship. The fight, which took place on October 17, was won by Griffith via a 15-round decision. Three days later, the World Boxing Association championship was created when Denny Moyer outpointed Joey Giambra. The World Boxing Council recognized the WBA champion as the true division champion until 1975, when it stripped their current champion and sanctioned a fight between Miguel de Oliveira and Jose Duran for the vacant title. De Oliveira won the title over 15 rounds in 1975. The International Boxing Federation crowned its first champion when Mark Medal defeated Earl Hargrove in 1984. The World Boxing Organization crowned its first champion when John David Jackson defeated Lupe Aquino in 1988.

Popular boxers to have held championships in this division were Nino Benvenuti, Canelo Álvarez, Manny Pacquiao, Wilfred Benítez, Sugar Ray Leonard, Miguel Cotto, Thomas Hearns, Mike McCallum, Julian Jackson, Roberto Durán, Terry Norris, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Zab Judah and Winky Wright.

Current world champions

Main article: List of world light-middleweight boxing champions

Male champions

Sanctioning Body Reign Began Champion Record Defenses
WBA August 3, 2024 Terence Crawford 41–0 (31 KO) 0
WBC March 30, 2024 Sebastian Fundora 21–1–1 (13 KO) 0
IBF April 6, 2024 Bakhram Murtazaliev 23–0 (17 KO) 1
WBO March 30, 2024 Sebastian Fundora 21–1–1 (13 KO) 0

Female champions

Sanctioning Body Reign Began Champion Record Defenses
WBA October 30, 2021 Hannah Rankin 12–5 (3 KO) 1
WBC September 3, 2022 Natasha Jonas 15–2–1 (9 KO) 1
IBF November 12, 2022 Natasha Jonas 15–2–1 (9 KO) 0
WBO February 19, 2022 Natasha Jonas 15–2–1 (9 KO) 2

Current world rankings

The Ring

As of October 19, 2024.[8]

Keys:

 C  Current The Ring world champion
Rank Name Record (W–L–D) Title(s)
C vacant
1 Terence Crawford 41–0 (31 KO) WBA
2 Israil Madrimov 10–1–1 (7 KO)
3 Bakhram Murtazaliev 23–0 (17 KO) IBF
4 Sebastian Fundora 21–1–1 (13 KO) WBO, WBC
5 Vergil Ortiz Jr. 22–0 (21 KO)
6 Serhii Bohachuk 24–2 (23 KO)
7 Tim Tszyu 24–2 (17 KO)
8 Jesus Ramos 21–1 (17 KO)
9 Charles Conwell 20–0 (15 KO)
10 Brian Mendoza 22–4 (16 KO)

BoxRec

As of 26 April 2022.[9]

Rank Name Record (W–L–D) Points Title(s)
1 Jermell Charlo 35–1–1 (18 KO) 147.5
2 Sebastian Fundora 19–0–1 (13 KO) 95.41
3 Brian Castaño 17–1–2 (12 KO) 73.74
4 Tim Tszyu 21–0 (15 KO) 73.04 WBO
5 Liam Smith 31–3–1 (17 KO) 52.37
6 Israil Madrimov 8–0 (6 KO) 48.45 WBA
7 Erickson Lubin 24–2 (17 KO) 47.71
8 Jack Culcay 30–4 (13 KO) 37.45
9 Tony Harrison 29–3–1 (21 KO) 33.06
10 Dennis Hogan 30–4–1 (7 KO) 32.00

Kickboxing

In the International Kickboxing Federation (IKF), Super Welterweight is 147.1 - 153 lb (66.9 - 69.5 kg) & Light Middleweight is 153.1 - 159 lb (69.6 - 72.3 kg).

Lethwei

The World Lethwei Championship recognizes the light middleweight with an upper limit of 71 kg (157 lb). In World Lethwei Championship, Sasha Moisa is the Light middleweight Champion.

References and notes

  1. ^ Per Boxing News
  2. ^ Per WBO
  3. ^ Per IBF
  4. ^ Per The Ring
  5. ^ Per WBA
  6. ^ Per WBC
  7. ^ Per BoxRec
  8. ^ "The Ring ratings: light middleweight". Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  9. ^ "BoxRec ratings: super welter, active". Retrieved 26 April 2022.