The lightweight division is currently in a state of flux. Many of the biggest stars of the past several years have moved on from the division, leaving the division with many young prospects but few developed stars.

Some have become old and past their prime. Others, such as Nate Campbell and Jose Luis Castillo could no longer make the weight. Still others, such as Manny Pacquiao have moved past the division seeking bigger fights and purses, while Juan Manuel Marquez has an uncertain future. Considering all of this, here are the newly updated lightweight rankings here in 2010.

Lightweight division rankings last updated February 16, 2010.

1. Edwin Valero – Valero finally got a win over a name opponent, albeit the young and green Antonio DeMarco. He also got a big chance to appear on American television, which is perhaps even more important. He still has long-term plans for getting a shot against Pacquiao, but there are some intriguing bouts lurking around the lightweight division for now.
2. Juan Manuel Marquez - Marquez returns to the lightweight rankings but it may only be for a short time. He has not taken on the challenge of hard changing, big punching (but light money offering) Michael Kastidis, instead looking for more lucrative fights, potentially at the junior welterweight division against Ricky Hatton or Amir Khan.
3. Ali Funeka – After barely losing to Nate Campbell, Funeka got robbed out of a victory against Joan Guzman. The fight was ruled a draw, but it seemed clear that Funeka won at least eight of the rounds, if not more, and had dominated the entire evening. Now who else is going to step into the ring with this guy?
4. Juan Diaz – After officially losing to Paulie Malignaggi in their rematch, Juan Diaz has to get knocked down a few pegs in the rankings. He is returning to lightweight however, and appears to be rematching Micheal Katsidis, now for the interim WBO title that Marquez holds.
5. Humberto Soto – Soto doesn’t have much experience in the lightweight ranks, but he has appeared to make the move up to this division for good, after besting Jesus Chavez and lining up a vacant WBC title fight against former champion David Diaz, a fight he should win – and needs to if he wants to be a top contender at 135 lbs.
6. Michael Kastidis – Katsidis suffered consecutive losses to Joel Casamayor and Juan Diaz, however has rebounded with several victories. As the interim WBO titleholder he has been unable to get champion Marquez in the ring thus far, and now gets a chance to avenge his earlier loss to Diaz.
7. Miguel Acosta - A knockout win over the previously undefeated Urbano Antillon gives Acosta the interim WBA lightweight title. Undefeated over the last five and a half years, and with 20 knockout wins in his 26 victories, Acosta could make some more noise in the division.
8. Paulus Moses – The undefeated but little known WBA champion from Namibia has been inactive since July of 2009 and has an interim WBA title holder in Miguel Acosta to deal with. He has 17 knockouts in his 25 wins.
9. Antonio DeMarco – DeMarco put up a decent effort against Valero but was overwhelmed. Of course, it’s easy to forget how young he is, and over the long haul this early title experience should serve him beneficially.
10. Joan Guzman – Guzman finally returned to the big time fight stage in his fight against Ali Funeka. Although he should have lost the bout, he put on a good effort and for a change made for an entertaining evening. His performance in that bout should land him another big fight in the near future.

More Names

• Joel Casamayor – Casamayor hasn’t been impressive in quite some time, but at the end of the day he holds a recent win over Katsidis and his only recent loss was to pound for pound candidate Juan Manuel Marquez. If he plans to keep on fighting, he needs to get back in the ring and do it soon.
• David Diaz - Returning to the ring for the first time since his crushing defeat at the hands of Manny Pacquiao, David Diaz scored a decision over the aged Jesus Chavez and is now lined up to face Humberto Soto for the vacant WBC title.
• Kevin Mitchell – At 31-0 with 23 knockouts, the WBO Inter-Continental champ from the U.K. will be looking to make some real noise in the division in 2010.
• Anthony Peterson – Whoever is managing Anthony Peterson’s career is committing a world class felony. The promising fighter has been inactive and hidden away on C class cards, almost as if they don’t want him to get any recognition or land any major fights. The time is now… actually it’s already long past due and the question remaining is, is it too late?

More Boxing Weight Division Rankings

• 126-130 lbs – Boxing Super Featherweight Rankings
• 135-140 lbs – Boxing Junior Welterweight Rankings

Written by: Jake Emen