Former unified lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez Jr. announced his arrival at junior welterweight with a sensational performance on June 10, a decision over the previously undefeated Josh Taylor to capture the WBO belt and the lineal 140-pound championship.
Lopez’s first two bouts in his new division were disappointing (a TKO over Pedro Campa and a split decision against Sandor Martin, both in 2022), but he erased all doubts about his ability to compete at the elite level in a second division with the win over Taylor. Lopez didn’t just outbox Taylor — he hurt him on several occasions and proved to be very strong on the inside against the bigger fighter.
Sure, Lopez has claimed retirement, but he still holds the WBO title (he hasn’t formally relinquished it) and is the man to beat at junior welterweight until further notice.
His victory injected some much-needed excitement into the deep division, and the impending arrival of lightweight king Devin Haney will add even more star power to 140 pounds. Ryan Garcia will now campaign at junior welterweight, too, one of many contenders pining for a shot at one the division’s four titleholders.
How does the division shape up following Lopez’s victory, Taylor’s departure to 147 pounds and Regis Prograis’ lackluster win on Saturday? With four titleholders in the same weight class, there’s plenty of talent to make it one of the best divisions in boxing.
Here’s a look at the top 140-pound fighters and some interesting matchups between them.
The lineal champion
Teofimo Lopez Jr.
An exceptional talent, Lopez seems to fight up and down to the level of his competition. He struggled with Masayoshi Nakatani before he dethroned Vasiliy Lomachenko. Lopez then was upset by George Kambosos Jr. before he pulled an upset himself with the showing…
