Ring Magazine’s latest 140-lb rankings have sparked debate, particularly with their choice of Teofimo Lopez as the division’s "King." While Lopez does hold the WBO title, his performances have been inconsistent, leaving fans divided on his current status. He’s looked shaky in three of his last four fights.
One of the more controversial picks is Devin Haney, who's ranked at #1 despite being dropped three times in his April fight with Ryan Garcia and losing by decision. That fight, though now overturned, left a strong impression on fans, who believe Haney appeared outclassed against Garcia’s power. Many question Haney’s inclusion, given his possible shift away from the 140-lb division and his recent choice to pass on a bout with Sandor Martin.
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Interestingly, Ring Magazine’s ranking omits Ryan Garcia entirely, possibly due to his planned move to 147 next year. The magazine has also placed IBF champion Liam Paro at #4, WBC champ Alberto Puello at #5, and WBA champion Jose Valenzuela all the way down at #10, behind contenders without belts. Jack Catterall , coming off a strong win against Regis Prograis, sits at #2, though his lack of a world title leaves some scratching their heads over his placement above other champions.
While we might argue over the legitimacy of Ring's choices, it’s clear that the light welterweight landscape is stacked with talent. With Lopez, Haney, Catterall, and champions like Matias, Ramirez, and Paro in the mix, we are hopeful that the 140-lb division will soon see more high-stakes clashes to settle these rankings in the ring.
Read more about the newly crowned king Teofimo here.
Image Credit: DAZN