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Super featherweight
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Super featherweight, also known as junior lightweight, is a weight division in professional boxing, contested between 126 pounds (57 kg) and 130 pounds (59 kg).
History
[edit]The super-featherweight division appeared in two distinct historical periods, from 1921 to 1934 and 1949 to the present. This weight class was established by the New York Walker Law in 1920, known as the junior-lightweight division. In 1921, Johnny Dundee would defeat George Chaney by a fifth-round DQ to become the division's first universally recognized world champion, as acknowledged by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC).[1] In 1924, Steve Sullivan would then defeat the reigning Dundee by a 10-round UD to win The Ring magazine's inaugural title in the division.[2] In 1927, the National Boxing Association (NBA) (the direct predecessor to the World Boxing Association (WBA)), awarded their inaugural title to reigning world champion Tod Morgan.[3]
The NYSAC abolished the division in 1930 due to suspicions of fight-fixing after Benny Bass won the title from Tod Morgan the previous year, a fight in which Morgan dominated the first round before suffering a sudden second-round stoppage, all after bookmakers had placed unusually high odds on him to win just before the fight began.[4][5] The NBA and The Ring both upheld Bass' win, and the division continued to be recognized at least outside of New York. However, during the reign of Kid Chocolate, The Ring discontinued its junior-lightweight ratings in 1931, with the NBA initially following suit in 1932.[2][3] Kid Chocolate would be briefly reinstated as champion by the NBA in 1933, which continued to recognize the division until Frankie Klick vacated the title in 1934.[3] After this, the division was largely abandoned until 1949, when Sandy Saddler won the vacant NBA junior-lightweight title after defeating Orlando Zulueta by a 10-round SD, continuing to hold on to the title until 1957 to stay at featherweight.[3]
In 1962, reigning WBA[a] champion Flash Elorde was named by The Ring magazine as junior-lightweight champion of the world, 31 years after they had initially withdrawn recognition of the division.[2] He would then go on to win the inaugural World Boxing Council (WBC) super-featherweight title in 1963 by defeating Johnny Bizarro by a 15-round UD.[6] The inaugural champion for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) was Hwan-Kil Yuh in 1984, who won the title by defeating Rod Sequenan via a 15-round SD.[7] The first World Boxing Organization champion was John John Molina in 1989, defeating Juan Laporte by a 12-round UD to win the title.[8]
Some other notable fighters to hold championship titles at this weight include Brian Mitchell, Arturo Gatti, Vasiliy Lomachenko, Alexis Argüello, Azumah Nelson, Julio César Chávez, Diego Corrales, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Érik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Acelino Freitas, Juan Manuel Márquez, Oscar De La Hoya, Rocky Lockridge, and Manny Pacquiao.
Current world champions
[edit]| Sanctioning body | Reign began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WBA | November 25, 2023 | Lamont Roach Jr. | 25–1–2 (9 KO) | 1 |
| WBC | November 2, 2024 | O'Shaquie Foster | 23–3 (12 KO) | 0 |
| IBF | May 28, 2025 | Eduardo Núñez | 28–1 (27 KO) | 0 |
| WBO | February 3, 2023 | Emanuel Navarrete | 39–2–1–1 (33 KO) | 4 |
Current world rankings
[edit]The Ring
[edit]As of August 16, 2025.[9]
Keys:
- C Current The Ring world champion
| Rank | Name | Record | Title(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | vacant | ||
| 1 | O'Shaquie Foster | 23–3 (12 KO) | WBC |
| 2 | Emanuel Navarrete | 39–2–1–1 (32 KO) | WBO |
| 3 | Anthony Cacace | 24–1 (9 KO) | |
| 4 | Lamont Roach Jr. | 25–1–2 (10 KO) | WBA |
| 5 | Eduardo Núñez | 28–1 (27 KO) | IBF |
| 6 | Robson Conceição | 19–3–1–1 (9 KO) | |
| 7 | Eduardo Hernández | 37–2 (32 KO) | |
| 8 | Charly Suarez | 18–0–0–1 (10 KO) | |
| 9 | Raymond Ford | 18–1–1 (8 KO) | |
| 10 | Jazza Dickens | 36–5 (15 KO) |
BoxRec
[edit]As of 5 January 2024.[10]
| Rank | Name | Record | Title(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emanuel Navarrete | 38–2–1 (31 KO) | WBO |
| 2 | O'Shaquie Foster | 22–3 (12 KO) | |
| 3 | Joe Cordina | 17–1 (9 KO) | |
| 4 | Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov | 17–2–1 (14 KO) | |
| 5 | Lamont Roach Jr. | 25–1–1 (9 KO) | WBA (Regular) |
| 6 | Masanori Rikiishi | 15–1 (10 KO) | |
| 7 | Robson Conceição | 19–2–1–1 (8 KO) | |
| 8 | Mark Magsayo | 26–2 (17 KO) | |
| 9 | Elnur Samedov | 17–1 (7 KO) | |
| 10 | Anthony Cacace | 22–1 (8 KO) |
Notes
[edit]- ^ The NBA had changed its name to the WBA on August 23, 1962.
References
[edit]- ^ "Johnny Dundee - Lineal Jr. Lightweight Champion". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
- ^ a b c "The Ring Magazine's Annual Ratings". Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ^ a b c d "World Boxing Association Super Featherweight Title History". Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ^ Hughes, Ed, "Morgan Had First Round Advantage Despite K.O. Defeat", The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, New York, page 12, 21 December 1929
- ^ "Boxing's Chaotic Weight Divisions: A Short History of How We Got to Where We Are". Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ^ "Punches and Trophies: The 19th Elorde Awards Will Once Again Honor the Best of Philippine Boxing, Plus Migs will Defend his Title". 27 February 2019.
- ^ "Blog Archives".
- ^ "Best I Faced: John John Molina". 10 January 2019.
- ^ "The Ring ratings: super featherweight/junior lightweight". Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ^ "BoxRec ratings: super featherweight, active". Retrieved 12 June 2022.
Super featherweight
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Overview and rules
Weight limits and classification
The super featherweight division in professional boxing is defined by a weight range of 126 to 130 pounds (57 to 59 kg), with fighters required to weigh in at or below 130 pounds (59 kg) on the day before a title bout to be eligible for championship contests. This limit ensures competitors are evenly matched in terms of size and power, minimizing injury risks associated with significant weight disparities. The class is also commonly referred to as junior lightweight, a name that reflects its position as a "junior" variant of the lightweight division, and this dual nomenclature has been used interchangeably since the early 20th century. The establishment of the 130-pound upper limit stemmed from post-1920s standardization efforts by boxing's governing bodies to create distinct divisions, converting imperial measurements to metric equivalents for international consistency while accommodating the average fighter's physique in that era. This boundary was set midway between the featherweight class (up to 126 pounds or 57 kg) and lightweight (up to 135 pounds or 61 kg), allowing for a specialized category that bridges smaller, speed-oriented fighters and those with greater reach and power. Fighters often engage in weight cutting practices to enter this division, followed by rehydration, which can pose health risks such as dehydration or cardiovascular strain if not managed properly. Weigh-in procedures for super featherweight bouts follow standard professional boxing protocols, typically occurring the day before the fight with a one-pound allowance for non-title matches but no such buffer for championship weigh-ins. Hydration tests, including urine specific gravity measurements, may be implemented by sanctioning bodies to prevent extreme weight manipulation, ensuring fighters enter the ring at a safe weight relative to their natural range.Professional versus amateur divisions
In amateur boxing, the super featherweight division aligns with the lightweight category under International Boxing Association (IBA) rules, encompassing boxers weighing between 57 and 60 kg, a slightly broader range than the professional limit of 59 kg to accommodate developmental competition.[11] Bouts are governed strictly by IBA technical rules, featuring three three-minute rounds with one-minute rests, headgear (which is not required for elite men but mandatory for youth, women, and other categories to enhance safety), larger 10-ounce gloves, and a scoring system that awards points primarily for clean, controlled punches rather than emphasizing knockouts, fostering technical skill and tactical precision.[12][13] Professional super featherweight contests, regulated by organizations such as the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), eliminate headgear to heighten realism and intensity, utilize smaller 8-ounce gloves, and extend up to twelve three-minute rounds, placing greater weight on knockouts, endurance, and aggressive exchanges that drive commercial appeal through purse bids and high-stakes matchmaking.[14][15] The amateur format prioritizes participant development and eligibility for global events like IBA World Championships or the Olympics—where classes may align with lightweight (60 kg in IBA) or light welterweight (63.5 kg in Olympics) equivalents, noting that Olympic boxing employs fewer weight classes than IBA competitions, potentially requiring super featherweight fighters to adjust to nearby categories like 57 kg or 63.5 kg—while the professional realm centers on sanctioned titles, financial incentives, and career longevity in a market-driven environment.[13][16][17] Transitions from amateur to professional super featherweight typically occur via pathways such as national championships or Olympic qualifying tournaments, where successful amateurs leverage their foundational experience in points-based scoring and shorter formats to adapt to the pro's knockout-oriented demands and extended durations.[15][13]History
Establishment and early champions
The super featherweight division, also known as junior lightweight, was formally established by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) in 1921 as part of efforts to standardize weight classes and address gaps between the featherweight (126 pounds) and lightweight (135 pounds) divisions, setting the upper limit at 130 pounds to accommodate fighters too heavy for featherweight but not suited for lightweight.[2][3] This recognition came amid broader weight class formalizations in the 1920s under the NYSAC, which had been empowered by the 1920 Walker Law to regulate professional boxing in New York. On November 18, 1921, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Johnny Dundee claimed the inaugural NYSAC world junior lightweight title by defeating George "KO" Chaney via disqualification in the fifth round after Chaney repeatedly fouled by using his head; Dundee, a versatile New York-based boxer known for his speed and footwork, held the title until 1923.[18][19][3] In the early years from the 1920s to the 1940s, the division saw limited activity compared to heavier weight classes, which drew greater public and promotional interest, resulting in fewer high-profile bouts and title defenses. Key figures emerged sporadically, including Tod Morgan, who captured the NBA super featherweight title in 1925 by defeating Mike Ballerino via 9th-round TKO and held it until 1929.[20] Benny Bass, a hard-punching Philadelphia native, won the NBA junior lightweight crown in 1929 with a 2nd-round knockout of Morgan on December 20 at Madison Square Garden in New York, marking a brief surge in divisional contention before losing it to Kid Chocolate in 1931.[21][22][23] The division entered a period of dormancy during the Great Depression and World War II, with sporadic bouts but no consistent title lineage, as economic hardships and wartime restrictions reduced professional boxing opportunities overall. By the late 1940s, the class had largely faded from prominence, though the NBA—formed in 1921 as a rival to the NYSAC—continued nominal oversight until its rebranding to the World Boxing Association (WBA) in 1962, which later revived the division more actively.[18][3]Evolution and key eras
The super featherweight division, initially established in the early 1920s as a professional weight class, experienced a brief resurgence after World War II when Sandy Saddler defeated Orlando Zulueta on December 6, 1949, to claim a lightly regarded version of the title at 130 pounds, sparking renewed interest in bouts beyond the traditional featherweight limit.[24] This revival helped sustain the division's viability amid post-war boxing's expansion, though it remained secondary to heavier classes until the late 1950s. The 1950s and 1960s marked a period of stabilization and prominence for super featherweight, highlighted by Gabriel "Flash" Elorde's lineal championship reign from 1960 to 1967, the longest in the division's history at seven years with ten successful defenses against international challengers.[25] Elorde's tenure, beginning with his victory over Harold Gomes on March 16, 1960, elevated the class's global profile, particularly in Asia and the Americas, as the formation of the WBC in 1963 introduced formalized super featherweight titles that encouraged cross-border competitions.[26] During the 1970s and 1980s, the division underwent significant globalization, with the emergence of multiple sanctioning bodies like the IBF in 1983 leading to fractured but widespread title opportunities for fighters from diverse regions, including Latin America and Europe.[27] Alexis Argüello's capture of the WBC super featherweight title via a dramatic 13th-round TKO of Alfredo Escalera on January 28, 1978, exemplified this era's intensity, as he defended the belt twice before moving up in weight, drawing international audiences to high-stakes rivalries that showcased technical mastery and power.[28] The 1990s and 2000s saw increased commercialization, driven by major television networks such as HBO and ESPN, which broadcast unification bouts and high-profile defenses, boosting the division's visibility and revenue through pay-per-view events.[29] Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s 1998 debut as a professional at super featherweight culminated in his eighth-round TKO of Genaro Hernandez to win the WBC title, initiating a dominant run with eight defenses that highlighted defensive precision and attracted mainstream sponsorships.[30] In the 2010s and 2020s, super featherweight has witnessed heightened dominance by Mexican and American fighters, with streaming platforms like DAZN and ESPN+ enhancing global accessibility and enabling superfights that blend technical skill with market appeal.[31] Emanuel Navarrete's multiple title reigns since 2018, including defenses against American contenders, underscore this era's bilateral rivalries, while Vasyl Lomachenko's 2016 capture and defenses of the WBO title exemplified the class's evolution toward elite, multi-belt aspirations.Sanctioning bodies and titles
Major organizations
The World Boxing Association (WBA), founded in 1921 as the National Boxing Association (NBA) in Rhode Island, is the oldest governing body in professional boxing and plays a central role in sanctioning super featherweight titles.[32] Renamed the WBA in 1962 to reflect its international scope, the organization established the super featherweight division in 1921, with Johnny Dundee as its inaugural champion after defeating George McKenzie.[3] The WBA recognizes both "super" champions, who hold undisputed or unified status across multiple bodies, and "regular" champions to address title proliferation, allowing for structured contention in the 126–130 pound (57.15–58.97 kg) class.[33] Its rankings emphasize fighters' recent activity, quality of wins, and performance in sanctioned bouts, prioritizing active contenders for title opportunities.[34] The World Boxing Council (WBC), established in 1963 in Mexico City, introduced the super featherweight division in the mid-1960s to formalize the 130-pound (58.97 kg) weight class amid growing professional interest.[8] As one of the "big four" sanctioning bodies, the WBC enforces mandatory title defenses at least once per year, with an ideal of three defenses annually (approximately every four months), and the first defense required within 90–120 days of winning the belt unless an exception is granted.[35] It also permits "franchise champions," allowing top fighters to hold titles across multiple divisions with defenses required every nine months in each, promoting high-profile matchups while maintaining activity standards in super featherweight.[35] Formed in 1983 as a splinter from the USBA (established in 1976), the International Boxing Federation (IBF) emphasizes streamlined governance in super featherweight, limiting each division to a single champion to avoid fragmentation.[36] The IBF's strict rules mandate defenses against the top-ranked contender within nine months, with title vacancy triggered by non-compliance, and it frequently orders eliminator bouts between top-10 ranked fighters to determine mandatory challengers.[37] This approach supports unified rankings based on merit, recent results, and head-to-head outcomes, fostering clear paths to contention in the 130-pound division. The World Boxing Organization (WBO), founded in 1988 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, integrates super featherweight into its global framework by using regional titles—such as NABO and Inter-Continental—as developmental stepping stones toward world contention.[38] These interim belts help build records and rankings for emerging talent in the 130-pound (58.97 kg) class, with the WBO encouraging unification bouts against WBA, WBC, or IBF champions to create "super champions" and consolidate belts, particularly through efforts in the 1990s that elevated division prestige.[39] Rankings prioritize active fighters with strong win streaks, and mandatory defenses must occur within nine months, often against the highest-rated available opponent.[39] Although not a sanctioning body, The Ring magazine, established in 1922, exerts significant influence on super featherweight through its lineal championship, awarded based on votes from an expert panel of journalists and historians rather than organizational mandates.[40] This title traces direct succession from past champions via "the man who beat the man," providing an independent benchmark for the division's top fighter since its early recognition of 130-pound bouts in the 1920s.[40] The Ring's rankings and awards emphasize historical continuity and in-ring merit, often guiding perceptions of legitimacy beyond alphabet belts.[40]Current world champions
As of November 2025, the super featherweight division (130 lbs) features champions across the four major sanctioning bodies, with The Ring title currently vacant. The titleholders reflect a mix of established veterans and rising contenders, each defending their belts against top-ranked opponents to maintain their status. Upcoming bouts include O’Shaquie Foster's WBC defense against Stephen Fulton on December 6, 2025, and a WBO/IBF unification between Emanuel Navarrete and Eduardo Núñez on February 28, 2026.[41][42] WBA Champion: Lamont Roach Jr.Lamont Roach Jr., with a record of 25-1-2 (10 KOs), has held the WBA super featherweight title since capturing it on November 25, 2023, via a unanimous decision victory over Jadier Herrera. He made one successful defense in June 2024, stopping Feargal McCrory by TKO in the eighth round, before the title's status saw interim developments. An interim title was contested on July 2, 2025, when Jazza Dickens (36-5, 15 KOs) defeated Albert Batyrgaziev by ninth-round knockout, but Roach remains the regular champion pending potential unification.[10][42][41] WBC Champion: O’Shaquie Foster
O’Shaquie Foster holds the WBC super featherweight title with a record of 23-3 (12 KOs), having won it on November 2, 2024, by stopping Rey Vargas in the first round. This reign marks a continuation from his prior stint starting in February 2023, with notable defenses including a February 2024 win over Eduardo Hernandez by majority decision; as of November 2025, he has not yet defended the belt in this current cycle but is scheduled to face Stephen Fulton on December 6, 2025.[10][42][41] IBF Champion: Eduardo "Sugar" Núñez
Eduardo Núñez, known as "Sugar," is the IBF super featherweight champion with a record of 30-1 (28 KOs), having claimed the vacant title on May 28, 2025, by unanimous decision over Masanori Rikiishi. A Mexican-based fighter renowned for his knockout power, Núñez made his first defense on September 6, 2025, defeating Francisco Diaz by unanimous decision over 12 rounds, solidifying his position against southpaw contenders; he is scheduled to face Emanuel Navarrete in a unification bout on February 28, 2026.[10][42][41] WBO Champion: Emanuel Navarrete
Emanuel Navarrete maintains the WBO super featherweight title with a record of 39-2-1 (32 KOs), a belt he first won on February 4, 2023, by knocking out Denys Berinchyk in the 11th round after moving up from lightweight. The Mexican southpaw has made four defenses, including a technical decision win in the eighth round against Charly Suárez on May 10, 2025 (later overturned with a rematch ordered in November 2025 due to a controversial headbutt call causing a cut); his aggressive style and history of weight class transitions have kept him as a dominant force in the division, with an upcoming IBF unification against Eduardo Núñez on February 28, 2026.[10][42][41] The Ring Lineal Champion: Vacant
The Ring magazine's super featherweight title, often regarded as the lineal championship, has been vacant since 2024 following the previous holder's loss or retirement, with no successor designated as of November 2025. Succession criteria emphasize the winner of bouts between top-ranked contenders or unified champions, but current fragmentation among the major belts has delayed its awarding.[42][43]
Current rankings
The Ring
The Ring magazine, established in 1922, has played a pivotal role in boxing by providing independent rankings that emphasize lineal championships and merit-based standings, helping to mitigate the fragmentation caused by multiple sanctioning bodies like the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO.[40] These rankings, first published in 1925, are widely regarded as the most prestigious in the sport due to their focus on overall ability and achievement rather than organizational affiliations. The Ring's super featherweight rankings are determined by an expert panel of boxing journalists and historians who convene monthly to vote based on criteria including recent wins, the quality of opposition faced, in-ring performance, and overall activity levels.[44] Unlike sanctioning body lists, the methodology prioritizes lineal title continuity and a fighter's demonstrated dominance, often overlooking belt possession if it does not reflect true divisional supremacy.[45] As of the latest update in November 2025, The Ring's super featherweight (junior lightweight) top 10 rankings highlight a competitive division led by established champions and emerging talents. Recent developments, including title defenses and an upcoming unification bout between WBO champion Emanuel Navarrete and IBF champion Eduardo Núñez on February 28, 2026, are influencing the standings. The list begins with:| Rank | Fighter | Record | Nationality | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emanuel Navarrete | 39-2-1 (32 KOs) | Mexico | WBO champion; three-division world champion renowned for his relentless pressure and high-volume punching, recently active at super featherweight.[46][47] |
| 2 | Anthony Cacace | 24-1-0 (9 KOs) | Ireland | Former IBF champion; known for his technical skill and recent high-profile wins. |
| 3 | O’Shaquie Foster | 23-3-0 (12 KOs) | USA | WBC champion; technical southpaw style and resilience in defenses, though recent inactivity affects standing.[48][49] |
| 4 | Lamont Roach Jr. | 25-1-2 (10 KOs) | USA | WBA super featherweight titlist; sharp counterpunching, but preparing for a move up to 140 lbs in December 2025.[50][51] |
| 5 | Eduardo Núñez | 29-1-0 (27 KOs) | Mexico | IBF champion; explosive power and recent title defenses, including a win over Christopher Diaz in September 2025. |
| 6 | Andrés Cortes | 24-0-0 (13 KOs) | USA | Undefeated prospect; flawless record and upset victories signal potential; recent KO in October 2025.[52][53] |
| 7 | Raymond Ford | 18-1-1 (8 KOs) | USA | Former featherweight titleholder; slick southpaw with wins in super featherweight, including over Abraham Nova in August 2025.[54][55] |
| 8 | Mauricio Lara | 29-3-2 (19 KOs) | Mexico | Veteran contender with power punching. |
| 9 | Eduardo Hernandez | 37-2-0 (31 KOs) | Mexico | High-volume fighter seeking title shot. |
| 10 | Masanori Rikiishi | 16-2-0 (10 KOs) | Japan | Former contender; recent losses but still ranked. |