The top 10 featherweight rankings
From the time I started as the boxing writer at USA Today in early 2000 until leaving ESPN in April 2020, I was responsible for the divisional rankings for each outlet. At USA Today, I updated them once a month until leaving in early 2005. At some point during my time at ESPN they became weekly. Here on Fight Freaks Unite I publish division top 10s from time to time as results warrant. And given the recent notable fights in the featherweight division between Leigh Wood and Michael Conlan and Mark Magsayo and Gary Russell Jr., along with the upcoming Kiko Martinez-Josh Warrington rematch, it seemed like a good time to take a look at the division. So here are the top 10 featherweight rankings.
Note: Results through March 17
Featherweights (126 pounds)
1. Emanuel Navarrete (35-1)
Last: W (UD12) Joet Gonzalez, Oct. 15
Next: TBA
Rafael’s remark: After making five junior featherweight title defenses, all by knockout, the typically aggressive Navarrete moved up to featherweight and has continued to dominate. He dropped Ruben Villa twice en route to a decision to win claim a vacant world title in October 2020, knocked out Christopher Diaz in the 12th round of his first defense and outpointed Joet Gonzalez in a hellacious defense in October.