Super bantamweight is one of boxing’s hottest divisions, which is hard to imagine, especially in the United States with our obsession with the heavier and more traditional weight classes. However, many of the best fighters in the division – Juan Manuel Lopez, Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez have all moved up to featherweight! That means the division is back to being wide open, although one big (tall) name remains.

Super bantamweight division rankings last updated January 09, 2010.

1. Celestino Caballero – When you’re 5′11″ fighting in the 122 pound super bantamweight division and you have nine successful defenses of your world title, you have a hard time getting other big names in the ring. That’s why JuanMa, Vazquez and Marquez all moved up for lucrative bouts without ever stepping up to the plate against this challenge. At his height he’s a nightmare match-up for anyone, and after winning 2 of the 4 belts, he now retains just the IBF super bantamweight strap.
2. Toshiaki Nishioka – Not having lost a bout in 5 years, the WBC super bantamweight titleholder has wins over Jhonny Gonzalez and a few other top contenders. He’s held his belt longer than the current WBA champion, below, whose title has been switching hands multiple times over the past year.
3. Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym – Riding a three year winning streak, Poonsawat is now the WBA champion and is coming off his great performance over Bernard Dunne, where he knocked out the champion in just three rounds.
4. Rogers Mtagwa – Mtagwa is going to be a tough fight for anybody in the super bantamweight and featherweight divisions. He has a very full plate ahead of him in taking on Yuriorkis Gamboa at featherweight in January, but after that a drop back down to super bantamweight is likely.
5. Bernard Dunne – Will he be able to bounce back from the devastating knockout loss, as well as the brutal war against Ricardo Cordoba – the 2009 Fight of the Year? Time will tell, but the two bouts may have been too much for him.
6. Ricardo Cordoba – Cordoba has fought twice against nobodies since his seesaw battle, and loss, against Dunne. He has the physical assets to rise back to the top of the division if he uses more discipline in the ring.
7. Antonio Escalante – He is riding an 8 fight winning streak, and after a few big televised wins in 2009 he should be looking to step up the competition in 2010.
8. Gerry Penalosa - Penalosa took a beating at the hands of Juan Manuel Lopez, but still made a good showing considering how overmatched he was. The definition of heart, will and grit, Penalosa’s next bout is actually slated for the bantamweight division against Eric Morel.
9. Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. – Always beware of the fighter with the recognizable name and the “Jr.” at the end. However, Vazquez Jr. seems to have a solid skill set, and has been climbing the ladder. He’s now slated to face another undefeated young fighter, Marvin Sonsona, for the vacant WBO strap.
10. Jeffrey Mathebula - He actually won on one of the scorecards against division kingpin Caballero. A rematch is unlikely, but if Mathebula can put together another winning streak he could work his way to another big fight and title shot.

Other fighters in the mix: Steve Molitor, Olivier Lontchi, Marvin Sonsona

More Boxing Weight Class Rankings

• 115-118 lbs – Boxing Bantamweight Division Rankings
• 122-126 lbs – Boxing Featherweight Division Rankings

Written by: Jake Emen