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+ to 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
Male champions
| Sanctioning Body | Reign Began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WBA | January 31, 2026 | Xander Zayas | 23–0 (13 KO) | 0 |
| WBC | March 30, 2024 | Sebastian Fundora | 24–1–1 (16 KO) | 2 |
| IBF | January 31, 2026 | Josh Kelly | 18–1–1 (9 KO) | 0 |
| WBO | July 26, 2025 | Xander Zayas | 23–0 (13 KO) | 1 |
Female champions
| Sanctioning Body | Reign Began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WBA | September 28, 2024 | Mary Spencer | 10–2 (6 KO) | 1 |
| WBC | November 18, 2023 | Ema Kozin | 24–1–1 (12 KO) | 0 |
| IBF | November 22, 2024 | Oshae Jones | 9–0 (3 KO) | 1 |
| WBO | November 18, 2023 | Ema Kozin | 24–1–1 (12 KO) | 0 |
Current world rankings
The Ring
As of February 15, 2026[8].
Keys:
- Current The Ring world champion
| Rank | Name | Record (W–L–D) | Title(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | vacant | ||
| 1 | Vergil Ortiz Jr. | 24–0 (22 KO) | |
| 2 | Sebastian Fundora | 24–1–1 (16 KO) | WBC |
| 3 | Xander Zayas | 23–0 (13 KO) | WBA/WBO |
| 4 | Israil Madrimov | 11-2-1 (7 KO) | |
| 5 | Jaron Ennis | 35–0 (31 KO) | |
| 6 | Josh Kelly | 18-1-1 (9 KO) | IBF |
| 7 | Bakhram Murtazaliev | 23-1 (17 KO) | |
| 8 | Brandon Adams | 26-4 (16 KO) | |
| 9 | Abass Baraou | 17–2 (9 KO) | |
| 10 | Bakary Samake | 19-0 (11 KO) |
BoxRec
As of 15 February 2026[9].
| Rank | Name | Record (W–L–D) | Title(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jaron Ennis | 35–0 (31 KO) | |
| 2 | Vergil Ortiz Jr. | 24-0 (22 KO) | |
| 3 | Xander Zayas | 23-0 (13 KO) | WBA/WBO |
| 4 | Sebastian Fundora | 23-1-1 (15 KO) | WBC |
| 5 | Keith Thurman | 31–1 (23 KO) | |
| 6 | Israil Madrimov | 11-2-1 (7 KO) | |
| 7 | Josh Kelly | 18-1-1 (9 KO) | IBF |
| 8 | Bakhram Murtazaliev | 23-1 (17 KO) | |
| 9 | Bakary Samake | 19-0 (11 KO) | |
| 10 | Erickson Lubin | 27-3 (19 KO) |
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
- ^ Per Boxing News
- ^ Per WBO
- ^ Per IBF
- ^ Per The Ring
- ^ Per WBA
- ^ Per WBC
- ^ Per BoxRec
- ^ "Official Boxing Rankings". The Ring. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
- ^ "BoxRec: Ratings". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2026-02-15.