The top 10 welterweight rankings
From the time I started working as the boxing writer at USA Today in early 2000 until leaving ESPN in April 2020, one of my responsibilities was to provide divisional rankings for each outlet. At USA Today, I updated the rankings once a month until leaving in early 2005. At some point during my time at ESPN they became weekly, but I had not done any divisional rankings until a few days ago when I did an updated top 10 heavyweights. The reader reaction was overwhelming, which I very much appreciate. So, I figured why not keep it going with updated rankings in one of boxing’s best and most popular divisions, the welterweights.
Remember, divisional rankings are largely based on what a fighter has actually done in the weight class in more recent times, not hypothetical outcomes of fights that have not happened. The top 10:
Note: Results through March 30
Welterweights (147 pounds)
1. Errol Spence Jr. (27-0)
Last: W (UD12) Danny Garcia, Dec. 5
Next: TBA
Rafael’s remark: Following a terrible car crash three weeks after his big title unification win over Shawn Porter in September 2019, it was anybody’s guess whether Spence would still be the same superb, pound-for-pound elite fighter he was before the wreck. He quickly answered those questions in his return against former titlist Danny Garcia, whom he cruised to a dominating decision against. Now, if only Spence and fellow titlist Terence Crawford would get it on.
2. Terence Crawford (37-0)
Last: W (TKO4) Kell Brook, Nov. 14
Next: TBA
Rafael’s remark: Three-division titlist Crawford is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. He proved that during his title reign at lightweight and at junior welterweight, where he became the undisputed champion. At welterweight he owns a title and has made four defenses in dominating fashion, but his opposition has been weak (although that is not his fault). Promoter Top Rank simply doesn’t have any elite opponents to match him with. There are conversations about a June fight with legend Manny Pacquiao (we’ll believe it when we see it), but the fight the world wants is a unification bout with Errol Spence Jr.
3. Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2)
Last: W (SD12) Keith Thurman, July 20, 2019
Next: TBA
Rafael’s remark: Boxing’s resident future Hall of Fame legend is one of the best fighters of all, the only eight-division champion and still a top fighter 26 years into his remarkable career. He looked great in handing Thurman his first loss and taking his world title, which was eventually stripped from Pacquiao because, well, it was done by the wretched WBA. The coronavirus pandemic has kept Pacquiao inactive, but there are talks for a June fight with Terence Crawford in the Middle East. Believe it when you see it.
4. Shawn Porter (31-3-1)
Last: W (UD12) Sebastian Formella, Aug. 22
Next: TBA
Rafael’s remark: Even in a decision loss to Errol Spence Jr. in September 2019, Porter looked very good in a terrific fight. After nearly a year off due to the coronavirus pandemic, he returned to shut out then-unbeaten but untested Formella. If there is no Spence-Crawford or Pacquiao-Crawford, Porter taking on Crawford would be welcome.
5. Keith Thurman (29-1)
Last: L (SD12) Manny Pacquiao, July 20, 2019
Next: TBA
Rafael’s remark: Thurman has been idle since taking his first loss and losing his world title to Pacquiao, partly because of the pandemic and partly because of a left hand injury. He has had a variety of injuries that have slowed him in recent years but when he is healthy he has proven himself with big wins over Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia, but they were in 2016 and 2017, respectively. He has only fought twice since, beating Josesito Lopez and losing to the Pacman.
6. Yordenis Ugas (26-4)
Last: W (SD12) Abel Ramos, Sept. 6
Next: TBA
Rafael’s remark: Since losing a disputed split decision challenging Shawn Porter for his world title in March 2019, Ugas has won three fights in a row, including his most recent victory against Ramos for a vacant world title — the belt unceremoniously stripped from Manny Pacquiao. Ugas has no fight officially lined up but there has been talk of a unification fight with Premier Boxing Champions stablemate Errol Spence Jr.
7. Danny Garcia (36-3)
Last: L (UD12) Errol Spence Jr., Dec. 5
Next: TBA
Rafael’s remark: As a junior welterweight, Garcia was a beast and the bona fide world champion. As a welterweight since 2015, he has been something less — a quality fighter, who won a vacant world title and beat second-tier opposition (Robert Guerrero, Paulie Malignaggi, Samuel Vargas, Brandon Rios, Adrian Granados and Ivan Redkach) but lost when he faced the best in the division (Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter and Spence).
8. Jamal James (27-1)
Last: W (UD12) Thomas Dulorme, Aug. 8
Next: TBA
Rafael’s remark: James isn’t flashy, doesn’t talk a lot, doesn’t have a big personality and doesn’t do anything great, but all he does is show up, fight hard and win. Since a decision loss to Yordenis Ugas in 2016, James has won seven fights in a row against mostly legitimate opposition, including his decision over Dulorme to claim an interim belt (since upgrade to a secondary title).
9. Vergil Ortiz (17-0)
Last: W (KO7) Maurice Hooker, March 20
Next: TBA
Rafael’s remark: The 2019 prospect of the year is an exciting fighter with skills and tremendous power (all of his wins are by KO). Since moving up to welterweight in 2019, he has won all five of his bouts by stopping solid opponents, including an impressive performance in an all-Dallas showdown with former junior welterweight titlist Hooker. Ortiz has room for improvement, but he’s already pretty damn good.
10. Sergey Lipinets (16-1-1)
Last: D (MD12) Custio Clayton, Oct. 24
Next: April 10 vs. Jaron Ennis
Rafael’s remark: The usually exciting Lipinets’ only loss came in 2018 when Mikey Garcia beat him by decision to take his junior welterweight world title. Lipinets then moved in weight and is 3-0-1 since but he is coming off a disappointing draw with late replacement Clayton, whom most thought Lipinets would handle. He has a very tough assignment coming up against Ennis (26-0), the 2020 prospect of the year, who is poised to become a contender if he beats Lipinets.
Photo: Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions
The only problem I have with this list is that 9 out of 10 fighters next opponent is listed as TBA. There are so many great fights to be made, but red tape is preventing us from knowing the true rankings.
Sir MR. RAFAEL You were the only reason I use to visit espn. Always classy and highly knowledgeable.