Lightweight

Limit: 135 lb / 61.2 kg

One of the original eight weight classes (1909), lightweight at 135 lb is fighting royalty. Roberto Durán — undefeated for the first 13 years of his pro career — is widely considered the greatest lightweight in history. The division produced Pernell Whitaker (one of the best pure boxers of all time), Julio César Chávez, Vasiliy Lomachenko, and currently the four-way unification contender pool of Davis, Stevenson, Haney, and the now-passed-through Tank–Ryan Garcia era.

Current world champions

wba
Gervonta Davis
wbc
Shakur Stevenson
ibf
Raymond Muratalla
wbo
Keyshawn Davis

Alternate division names

wbc
Lightweight
wba
Lightweight
ibf
Lightweight
wbo
Lightweight

Legends of the division

Roberto DuránJoe GansBenny LeonardPernell WhitakerJulio César ChávezVasiliy LomachenkoDevin Haney

All-time top 7

  1. 1.Roberto Duran
  2. 2.Pernell Whitaker
  3. 3.Vasiliy Lomachenko
  4. 4.Julio César Chávez
  5. 5.Devin Haney
  6. 6.Gervonta Davis
  7. 7.Shakur Stevenson

Trivia

  • Roberto Durán was 13-0-0 at lightweight before his shock loss to Esteban DeJesús (1972); he avenged it twice.
  • Joe Gans is, by lineage, the first African-American world champion — at lightweight in 1902.
  • Devin Haney became undisputed lightweight champion (all four belts) in May 2023, vacating the same year to move to 140.