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. 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. Considering all of this, here are the newly updated lightweight rankings here in 2010.

Lightweight division rankings last updated August, 2010.

1. Juan Manuel Marquez - Marquez is at least temporarily back at lightweight, and he looked solid in a clear win over Juan Diaz. He may be eying more lucrative fights at the junior welterweight division in the near future, but for now he’s still the top dog at 135 lbs.
2. 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. Then Guzman came into the rematch as a full fledged welterweight, and took home the decision. Can anything go this guy’s way?
3. Humberto Soto – Soto doesn’t have much experience in the lightweight ranks, but now has two wins over former champions at the weight class and is the WBC titleholder. Next up is a match against Urbano Antillon in September.
4. Michael Kastidis – Katsidis suffered consecutive losses to Joel Casamayor and Juan Diaz, however has rebounded with now four victories consecutively, including a devastating early stoppage win over previously unbeaten Kevin Mitchell.
5. Miguel Acosta - A knockout win over the previously undefeated Urbano Antillon gives Acosta the interim WBA lightweight title. He then won the real deal by stopping Paulus Moses in six rounds in their bout this past May. Starting off his career with 2 straight draws, and then losing three straight a few years later, Acosta is now undefeated since 2003.
6. Robert Guerrero - Guerrero made a successful debut at the lightweight ranks, after he was forced to abandon his super featherweight title and take some time off from the ring dealing with his family and his wife’s serious health concerns. His bout against Joel Casamayor should have been at lightweight too, and that’s where he’ll be staying in the future.
7. Anthony Peterson – Whoever is managing Anthony Peterson’s career has been 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. He is now finally slated to face off against Brandon Rios in an eliminator bout for the WBA belt.
8. Juan Diaz – It’s four losses in six fights for the previously undefeated, unified lightweight champion. It could be five depending on how you judged the first Malignaggi fight. Diaz is taking some time to evaluate his future, but it’s likely he makes another run at a lightweight title through a path that doesn’t include Juan Manuel Marquez.
9. Paulus Moses – Moses had been an undefeated titleholder facing off against an interim titleholder, until Miguel Acosta told him what was what, and who should hold the real belt. The first loss of his career was a big setback, but Moses is ready to return to action in the fall.
10. Brandon Rios – The undefeated prospect sports 18 knockouts amongst his 24 wins and 1 draw. He’ll get a chance to move into the spotlight when he faces fellow undefeated prospect Anthony Peterson in September.

More Names & Notes

• Edwin Valero – The 28-year-old Valero came to a tragic end, killing his wife and then himself the following day from a prison cell. He was undefeated with 27 wins, all by knockout, in his career.
• Joan Guzman – Guzman has been campaigning at lightweight, but only on paper, weighing in for his rematch with Ali Funeka at more than 9 lbs past the 135 lbs limit. His future, if any, lies at junior welterweight.
• Kevin Mitchell – Mitchell was destroyed by Michael Katsidis in a bout he was largely favored to win. He blamed poor training and distractions, however is that really an excuse for the biggest fight of your career and your first true test?
• 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.
• Urbano Antillon - Miguel Acosta stopped the undefeated prospect last July, but he has now gotten back in the ring twice, and is looking ahead to an all-Mexican showdown against Humberto Soto in September.

More Boxing Weight Division Rankings

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

Written by: Jake Emen