“Stacks” Top Ten & The Ruler of the Super Welterweights in Boxing Today!

By Anthony “Stacks” Saldaña (Who else would it be by?)

With current champions Erislandy Lara, Jermall Charlo, Jermell Charlo and Liam Smith sitting on top of a division loaded with talent, the super welterweight division is really “Super.” As a fight fan and boxing fanatic it’s hard not to get excited when I realize what type of fights can be made at 154lbs. Many may not be household home names, but everyone of the fighters I have in my top ten are a clear force to be reckoned with. Whether its contender Vs champion, champion Vs champion, or contender Vs contender, there is no doubt that super welterweight is one of the best divisions in boxing.

#10 Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin, 16-0, 11 KO’s. This Orlando, Florida native comes from a stellar amateur background and would have been a favorite to win gold in Rio this year. Instead Lubin turned professional at the age of 18 when he was signed by Mike Tyson to the dismay of USA boxing. Now because of Iron Mike Productions folding Erickson is fighting for Al Haymon and is coming off a big win this past July over Ivan Montero. Look for Lubin to fight 2 to 3 times this year and make noise in the division come 2017.

#9 Carlos “Chema” Ocampo, 19-0, 12 KO’s. Ocampo is an unknown boxer in the United States but is a come forward aggressive fighter out of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico and is only ranked behind Canelo Alvarez in Mexico among Super Welterweight fighters. “Chema” is coming off a dominate 3rd round stoppage of Rames Agathon. Carlos will probably fight 3 to 4 more fights in Mexico before being signed by a major promotional company and making a big splash in the states in 2017. Much like Super Middleweight Gilberto Ramirez did in 2014.

#8 Liam Williams, 15-0-1, 10 KO’s. The 24 year old began his professional career at middleweight at the age of 18 under trainer Vince Cleverly, but later switched to Gary Lockett‘s gym where he says he improved technically and enjoyed sparring with former world champions Gavin Reese and Enzo Maccarinelli. Williams sold over $50,000 worth of tickets in July when he stopped rival Gary Corcoran at the Wales Ice Arena. The only blemish on Williams record came from a bout with Tyan Booth. In that fight Williams suffered a bad cut from a headbutt and the fight was ruled a technical draw. Look for promoter Frank Warren to setup a big fight for Williams by the end of 2016 or the beginning of 2017

#7 Tony Harrison, 23-1, 19 KO’s. The 25 year old Detroit native recently earned a number one contender spot for the IBF title which is held by Jermall Charlo, as he outclassed Sergey Rabchenko in New York City. Harrison looked spectacular and seemed to have no residual effects from his 2015 loss to Willie Nelson. Tony has an aggressive style and as the #1 contender will be trouble for the winner Julian “J-Rock” Williams Vs Jermall Charlo bout that takes place October 1st.

#6 Omar Figueroa, 26-0-1, 18 KO’s. For Omar this division is new territory as the former WBC Lightweight champion. Omar who has moved up several weight classes in the last two years believes he can still go back to the lower weight classes, but has struggled. Omar is very talented and has good overall boxing skills and is yet to be truly tested at a heavier weight. Although he may not have the power of some of the top super welterweight fighters he can hold his own as far as his ring generalship goes. Look for Al Haymon to eventually setup a big fight with Figueroa and one of his elite super middleweight fighters by the end of the year.

#5 “Swift” Jarrett Hurd, 18-0, 12 KO’s. Talented is the first word that comes to mind when I think of the undefeated Hurd. Hurd is coming off the biggest win of career in June over the then undefeated Oscar Molina. “Swift” made the best of his fight Vs Molina when the fight was moved up to the co-main event after Abner Mares couldn’t fight due to an eye injury. Hurd is a tall fighter with a great uppercut and a fighter who uses angles. “Swift” can either fight on the outside or come inside. Hurd should soon be in the running for a title fight and with his style and length he will definitely be trouble for any opponent.

#4 Amir Khan 31-4, 19 KO’s. Amir is a boxing veteran and has fought the elite of the boxing world with victories over, Marcos Maidana, Zab Judah, Devon Alexander and Marco Antonio Barrera. Although brutally knocked out in his last fight with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Khan is still a pure boxer who understands the “Sweet Science” and can upset many of the current elite at super welterweight. Look for Amir to either drop to 147 or take a big money fight with one of the young hungry lions in the division. Sure Amir will be an underdog with any of the top 10 at 154, but he has the speed, knowledge and skills to pull off a major upset.

#3 Julian “J-Rock” Williams, 22-0-1, 14 KO’s. Finally, after sitting back and patiently waiting “J-Rock” will have his opportunity to win a title when he faces off against Jermall Charlo this fall. Julian has won 16 fights in a row since his 2011 draw with Francisco “Chia” Santana. “J-Rock” who is the IBF #1 contender is a Philadelphia native. Williams went from playing basketball to training to box and having a great amateur career fighting the likes of Errol Spence, JR. when he was younger. Williams has the fierce determination to become a champion and to continue to stay on top. October 1st fight fans will witness a war when Williams takes on Charlo.

#2 Miguel Cotto, 40-5, 33 KO’s. Coming to the end of a Hall of Fame career Cotto is always dangerous. His experience, his heart, his pride and his style are a combination that any of the top super welterweight fighters should stay clear of. The 35 year old Cotto who is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez should be finalizing his next fight in the coming weeks and Cotto has made it clear his fight will be at 154. Cotto can never be counted out of any fight and with a victory in his next bout could possibly fight to be a 6x world champion in 2017.

#1 Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade, 23-0, 16 KO’s. This former WBO champion is back in action after only fighting once in 2014 and once in 2015. Andrade is the #1 contender for the WBC title and is also in line for a WBA title shot against Jack Culcay in October. Andrade is coming off a 12th round TKO victory over Willie Nelson. Andrade floored Nelson 4 times and finished him off in devastating fashion. The 2008 US Olympian Andrade is now a top contender for several different organizational belts and could see a possible match-up with the WBA and WBO #1 contender Miguel Cotto.

The Ruler…

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, 47-1-1, 33 KO’s. The most dangerous challenger in the division, Canelo looks to become a super welterweight champion on September 17th when he takes on WBO Champion, Liam Smith. For Canelo it may just be a short stop in the division as he has promised to fight at middleweight before the end of the year. Alvarez initially won the vacant WBC Super Welterweight title in 2011 after defeating Matthew Hatton and held on to the title for two years before losing to Floyd Mayweather, JR. If indeed Alvarez stays at 154, his ring experience and power will create problems for any of the current champions or contenders. With the amount of big names and future stars at super welterweight, Canelo really doesn’t have to look far for a big match-up.

[si-contact-form form=’2′]