Top 5 Lightweight Boxers

Male lightweights in boxing must weigh a minimum of 130 pounds, or 59 kilos, and must not weigh more than 135 pounds, or 61.2 kilos.

It’s one of eight classes in professional boxing and was the class of legendary title reigns from Benny Leonard and Ike Williams for the US.

Right now, here are the lightweight boxers we’re watching. See their profiles and find out what makes them great:

Luke Campbell

Credit: abae.co.uk

Doing Team GB proud, Luke Campbell or ‘Cool Hand’ is as smooth as they come. Since 2016 he holds both the Commonwealth and WBC Silver lightweight titles and won Gold at the 2012 Olympics on home soil.

Now an MBE, he’s had top performances against Matthews and Lopez and is scheduled to fight Linares in California this September. Whilst Linares is the favourite going into the ring, Campbell does boast 17 wins from 18 bouts in his pro boxing career.

Follow: @luke11campbell

Floyd Mayweather Jr

Credit: fightnights.com

A name everyone knows whether they watch boxing or not, Floyd Mayweather Jr is an undefeated lightweight boxer who has at times also fought undefeated in the featherweight and welterweight classes.

‘Pretty Boy’ has a knockout of 53% from 49 bouts and has put in 387 rounds and famously said, “Once I am in the square circle, I am in my home”.

Now 40, he’s most recently hit headlines for his fight with MMA fighter Connor McGregor. Before this his last pro fight was against Andre Berto in 2015 which he won in Las Vegas.

Follow: @FloydMayweather

Terry Flanagan

Credit: frankwarren.com

No list of lightweight champs should leave this man off the list. Flanagan was the first Englishman to win the WBO lightweight title. Up against Zepeda who went out with a dislocated shoulder. Afterwards Flanagan said he’d liked the fight to have gone the distance but that it was “unreal” to lift a world title.

The Mancunian has successfully defended his title fives times, most recently against Petr Petrov with their last meeting in April 2017, with a 30 – 0 win. Looking to grow his reputation further in such a competitive weight class, we’ll see him fight Vedejo before the year’s out.

Follow: @terryflanagan5

Jorge Linares

Credit: boxingnewsonline.net

From Venezuela Jorge Linares has been world-champion in three weight classes and is defending his title against Luke Campbell this September, going in as the favourite. Affectionately known as Golden Boy, he has incredible speed and 60% KO stats from 45 pro bouts. At 31, he has secured his legacy and still goes strong with no signs of slowing down.

Follow: @JorgeLinares

Ricky Burns

Credit: thefightcity.com

Born in 1983, Burns became the first Scottish boxer to win world titles in three weight divisions and held the WBO lightweight title from 2012 to 2014. With his first pro fight in 2001, he’s got a huge wealth of experience and never fails to put in the work for the best performances in the ring.

His last lightweight fight was in 2014 when he lost to Zlaticanin on split decisions points.

Follow: @ricksterko

If you want to hear more about other top boxers, check out our post on UK boxers to look out for in 2017… were we right?!