They say, “To be the man, you gotta beat the man.” In the world of boxing, however, that principle has often fallen by the wayside in some of the sport’s most iconic divisions. With the 135, 140, and 147-pound weight classes swarming with champions who never dethroned a reigning titleholder, fans are left questioning the legitimacy of these so-called champions. At 147 pounds, the welterweight division is entirely “paper.” In lightweight, only one out of four belt holders earned their title by taking it from a champion. At 135 pounds, just one out of four wears the crown by right.
Some of this phenomenon stems from the dominance of Terence “Bud” Crawford (41-0-0, 31 KOs), whose demolition of the 140-pound and 147-pound divisions set new standards of skill and tactical finesse. Crawford’s ascension to undisputed champion left behind a power vacuum that has yet to be filled by any true heir. Without his presence, fighters quickly picked up vacant titles without having to prove their worth against the very best. Many of these paper champions seem reluctant to step into the ring against worthy opponents, content instead to claim the glory without the grind.
The current “Champion in Recess” status, especially seen in the welterweight division, adds yet another layer of confusion. Should boxing move away from this archaic practice? Instead of allowing fighters to linger in a weight class with a suspended title, perhaps it’s time to enforce a policy: vacate the title or defend it against top contenders. This would clarify rankings, enhance the competitive integrity of each division, and inspire a genuine battle for supremacy rather than an endless round of paper titleholders.
Welterweight (147 Pounds): A Legacy Division, Now Full of Paper Champions
The welterweight division has traditionally been a powerhouse, producing legends and fan favorites who have defined eras. However, as we enter the back half of 2023, the champions at 147 pounds have yet to capture the imagination of the boxing world. Currently, Terence Crawford holds the WBC title in recess, making way for others to claim the belts without facing the division’s king. The interim titleholder, Mario Barrios (29-2-0, 18 KOs), who defeated Yordenis Ugas (27-6-0, 12 KOs), was recently promoted to full champion status without further contest. Meanwhile, Jaron Ennis (32-0-0, 29 KOs) claimed the IBF interim title by overcoming Karen Chukhadzhian (24-2-0, 13 KOs) and was elevated to the IBF’s top spot. Brian Norman Jr. (26-0-0, 20 KOs) picked up the vacant WBO title after defeating Quinton Randall (15-2-1, 3 KOs), while Eimantas Stanionis (15-0-0, 9 KOs) secured the WBA’s regular belt by beating Radzhab Butaev (15-1-0, 12 KOs).
Since these champions claimed their titles in 2023, not one has made a defense worthy of note. More concerning, these fighters have shown little interest in stepping into the ring with one another. While assigning belts to contenders can help keep the division in motion, it’s clear that an ultimate unification bout is needed to settle who really reigns supreme. Crawford’s meteoric career left the division in a state of flux; without his presence, the welterweight division has become a playground for contenders rather than a battleground for champions. To restore its former glory, the current belt holders must clash to crown a single, undeniable welterweight king.
Lightweight (135 Pounds): Talent Abounds, but No True Ruler
In the lightweight division, similar issues abound, but with one notable distinction: the talent pool is brimming with potential. Yet, despite the wealth of skill at 135 pounds, most of today’s champions claimed vacant titles rather than fighting a reigning titleholder. In May 2023, Denys Berinchyk (19-0-0, 9 KOs) won the WBO belt in a split-decision battle against Emmanuel Navarrete (38-2-0, 31 KOs). Vasiliy Lomachenko (18-3-0, 12 KOs) also captured the IBF title in May, reclaiming his place among the division’s elites. Shakur Stevenson (20-0-0, 10 KOs) seized his title by decisively defeating Edwin De Los Santos (16-2-0, 14 KOs) last November.
Unlike the welterweight champions, each lightweight title bout has been fiercely contested, leading to exciting matchups with results that fans eagerly debated. Berinchyk’s narrow victory over Navarrete, for example, could easily justify a rematch. With so much talent at lightweight, the division feels poised for greatness. But here, too, the fights aren’t materializing fast enough. A showdown between any of these titleholders and Gervonta “Tank” Davis (30-0-0, 28 KOs), widely considered the top dog at lightweight, would be a welcome sight. However, despite Davis’s clear dominance, the division seems mired in indecision and postponed matchups.
Rumor has it that Davis is slated to face the smaller Lamont Roach (24-1-1, 9 KOs) in December—though there are whispers that venue issues could push the fight to January. Fans are left yearning for more substantial matchups, wondering if these champions will ever meet each other in the ring. Lightweight offers perhaps the richest potential in boxing right now, but without action, its promise remains untapped.
What’s Delaying the Big Fights?
The reluctance of today’s champions to face one another has been a point of growing frustration. Part of the issue lies with the new wave of titleholders who, having claimed belts without defeating former champions, hesitate to take on the toughest challenges. For many, holding a title has become a source of financial security rather than a call to prove their mettle. This entitlement, mixed with complacency, stagnates the divisions and dulls the shine of the belts they carry.
The lack of urgency among these champions is exacerbated by the industry itself. Boxing’s governing bodies are not pressuring titleholders to defend against each other, and as a result, these belts have languished. For six months or more, these champions have held their titles without facing any credible opposition. By allowing this, boxing risks alienating its core audience and eroding the legacy of these historically prestigious weight classes. Fans deserve to see champions truly fight for their titles, and until that happens, the divisions will remain in limbo.