Teofimo Lopez Jnr defending his WBO junior welterweight title and lineal crown against Shakur Stevenson is the next milestone in the 140lbs division this decade.
Lopez faces Stevenson Saturday night in a 12-round contest at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Since the turn of the decade, the junior welterweight division has lacked one cohesive and persistent titleholder who defined the decade. If Lopez wins, one could argue that he will become that person, as he will be approaching his third year as a beltholder in the division.
Here are the junior welterweight title fights that have shaped this decade.
Josh Taylor UD12 Jose Ramirez, for the undisputed championship
May 22, 2021
The two best of the post-Terence Crawford era. Taylor won the World Boxing Super Series tournament, outlasting Regis Prograis in the final, and Ramirez had unified titles by defeating Maurice Hooker. The bout saw Scotland’s Taylor drop Ramirez twice en route to a close unanimous decision win. It was the crowning moment of Taylor’s career.
Josh Taylor SD12 Jack Catterall, for the undisputed championship
February 26, 2022
After a delay that pushed the fight to 2022, the unthinkable nearly happened – Catterall almost beat Taylor. Taylor was considered a huge favorite against the largely unknown Catterall. Then the fight happened, and Catterall dropped Taylor. Most thought Catterall won the fight, but he lost a disputed decision.
Teofimo Lopez UD12 Josh Taylor, for the WBO title and lineal championship
June 10, 2023
Taylor hadn’t had a legendary night since the Ramirez fight, but he had built a solid resume. Lopez lost his lightweight throne to George Kambosos Jnr in 2021 and followed that with two average performances at junior welterweight against Pedro Campa and Sandor Martin. Lopez once again showed the magic he had in the Vasiliy Lomachenko fight as he defeated a diminished Taylor, who was still a great fighter and who came to win. It marked a major point in Lopez’s career.
Subriel Matias TKO6 Shohjahon Ergashev, for the IBF title
November 25, 2023
Matias was intimidating, having burst onto the scene by applying a ton of pressure on Maxim Dadashev. The bout was stopped before the 12th round by Buddy McGirt, Dadashev’s trainer, and Dadashev passed away days after. Matias would lose a bout in 2020, but then he went on to stop five straight fighters. Ergashev was the fifth and final boxer, and probably the most impressive result. Ergashev was a big puncher who was a southpaw. None of that mattered. Matias took his shots, weaponized his pace and forced the stoppage.
Devin Haney UD12 Regis Prograis, for the WBC title
December 9, 2023
Haney had become the undisputed lightweight champion. He moved up to face Prograis, one of the top titleholders at the time. Prograis was coming off a close fight with Danielito Zorrilla, but he was still seen as one of the best in the division, especially after defeating Jose “Chon” Zepeda a year before. On that night, Haney had arguably his best night as a pro and was nearly flawless in every regard. Any doubt about his abilities was hushed with a star-making performance that made Haney look every bit one of the best fighters in the world.
Teofimo Lopez UD12 Jamaine Ortiz, for the WBO title
February 8, 2024
Lopez was riding high from his win over Taylor, but Ortiz boxed and moved while Lopez was patient. In the end, it was a debatable outcome that wasn’t exciting. Lopez won – but didn’t win over any new fans.
Ryan Garcia NC12 Devin Haney, for the WBC title*
Haney was seen as the best in the division, and Garcia was perceived as not taking the fight seriously. Then, on fight night, Garcia dropped Haney three times on his way to victory, but the result was overturned to a no-contest due to an adverse drug test result for Garcia. Also, the WBC title was no longer on the line because Garcia had come in overweight.
Liam Paro UD12 Subriel Matias, for the IBF title
June 15, 2024
Matias’ mystique was gone. Paro outboxed Matias in his home country of Puerto Rico. It was an unexpected outcome and one that appeared to see the birth of a new star in Paro. Matias was never fully the same fighter after this bout, and Paro hasn’t looked as good since.
Jose Valenzuela SD12 Isaac Cruz, for the WBA title
August 3, 2024
Valenzuela announced himself to the world by outboxing Cruz. Featured on the undercard of Terence Crawford-Israil Madrimov, Valenzuela boxed to perfection under the guidance of Robert Garcia, as he outmaneuvered Cruz to win a split decision. Valenzuela went from an up-and-comer who had hit turbulence in his development to a feel-good story of 2024 with the win.
Richardson Hitchins SD12 Liam Paro, for the IBF title
December 7, 2024
Paro entered after having upset the boogeyman in Matias. Then, after some early competitive rounds, Hitchins began to dominate with his jab and craft. A fight many saw as 50-50, or even one that favored Paro, became one-sided. Hitchins went from an emerging contender to an X-factor in the division by becoming the IBF titleholder, a belt he still holds.
Gary Antuanne Russell UD12 Jose Valenzuela, for the WBA title
March 1, 2025
Russell was forgotten, and then he beat Valenzuela. The bout reminded many how good Russell was, as the 2016 U.S. Olympian controlled the bout from the opening bell.
Dalton Smith TKO5 Subriel Matias, for the WBC title
January 10, 2026
Smith knocking out Matias felt like the end of the era. Matias built a streak of brutal knockouts to start the decade, but he was then stopped himself. Smith fought Matias at his own game and beat him, becoming the first to knock him out.
