RING Super Lightweight boxing rankings- January 1979

RING Super Lightweight rankings archive for January 1979. This page is the RING-only list. View all RING rankings, or compare the Super Lightweight boxing rankings across all organizations, or open the latest RING Super Lightweight rankings.

Browse the Super Lightweight archive

Rank	RINGJanuary 1979
	Antonio CervantesNEW World Champion
1	Esteban De Jesus+2
2	Saoul Mamby+3
3	Sang Hyun KimNEW
4	Saensak Muangsurin-2
5	Miguel Montilla-1
6	Adriano Marrero+1
7	Adolfo Viruet+2
8	Jo Kimpuani
9	Sean O'Grady+1
10	Bruce CurryNEW

Source

RING

January 1979 archive

Box-Rank presents each published list in a consistent format. Browse this division and its archive, read the methodology, or see how Box-Rank differs from BoxRec.

Month-over-month changes since November 1978

There is a new Champion: Antonio Cervantes(previously Wilfred Benitez)

Became champion: 18 January 1979

Won the title by defeating Miguel Montilla.

First shown in January 1979 rankingsView source

Entered the top 10

Sang Hyun KimInto the top 10 at #3
Bruce CurryInto the top 10 at #10

Dropped out of the top 10

Domingo AyalaPreviously held #6

Biggest risers

Saoul MambyUp 3 places to #2
+3
Esteban De JesusFrom #3 to #1
+2
Adolfo ViruetFrom #9 to #7
+2

Biggest fallers

Saensak MuangsurinNow ranked #4 (was #2)
-2
Miguel MontillaFrom #4 to #5
-1

RING Super Lightweight Title History

Champions who have held each belt, most recent first. Exact dates are shown where verified; month-only dates reflect available records. Available history begins in August 1929, combining ranking archives and sourced title records.

Explore the super lightweight title-change timeline across all organizations

RING Super Lightweight - World Champion

Shakur Stevenson

31 January 2026Current

Became champion: 31 January 2026

Won the Ring and WBO junior welterweight titles by unanimous decision over Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden.

First shown in February 2026 rankingsView source

Teofimo Lopez

10 June 202331 January 2026

966 days

Became champion: 10 June 2023

Won the title by defeating Josh Taylor.

First shown in June 2023 rankingsView source

Josh Taylor

26 October 201910 June 2023

1,323 days

Became champion: 26 October 2019

Won the title by defeating Regis Prograis.

First shown in November 2019 rankingsView source

Terence Crawford

23 July 201618 February 2018

575 days

Became champion: 23 July 2016

Won the title by defeating Viktor Postol.

First shown in July 2016 rankingsView source

Danny Garcia

14 July 2012July 2015

Became champion: 14 July 2012

Won the title by defeating Amir Khan.

First shown in July 2012 rankingsView source

Manny Pacquiao

3 May 200926 July 2010

449 days

Became champion: 3 May 2009

Won the title by knocking out Ricky Hatton in the second round.

First shown in May 2009 rankingsView source

Ricky Hatton

4 June 20053 May 2009

1,429 days

Became champion: 4 June 2005

Won the title by defeating Kostya Tszyu.

First shown in June 2005 rankingsView source

Kostya Tszyu

2 December 20014 June 2005

1,280 days

Became champion: 2 December 2001

Awarded the title.

First shown in December 2001 rankingsView source

Aaron Pryor

2 August 198026 October 1983

1,180 days

Became champion: 2 August 1980

Won the title by defeating Antonio Cervantes.

First shown in August 1980 rankingsView source

Antonio Cervantes

18 January 19792 August 1980

562 days

Became champion: 18 January 1979

Won the title by defeating Miguel Montilla.

First shown in January 1979 rankingsView source

Wilfred Benitez

6 March 1976November 1978

Became champion: 6 March 1976

Won the title by defeating Antonio Cervantes.

First shown in April 1976 rankingsView source

Antonio Cervantes

28 October 19726 March 1976

1,225 days

Became champion: 28 October 1972

Won the title by defeating Alfonso Frazer.

First shown in November 1972 rankingsView source

Alfonso Frazer

10 March 197228 October 1972

232 days

Became champion: 10 March 1972

Won the title by defeating Nicolino Locche.

First shown in April 1972 rankingsView source

Nicolino Locche

12 December 196810 March 1972

1,184 days

Became champion: 12 December 1968

Won the title by defeating Takeshi Fuji.

First shown in March 1969 rankingsView source

Paul Fujii

30 April 1967November 1968

Became champion: 30 April 1967

Won the title by stopping Sandro Lopopolo in the second round.

First shown in May 1967 rankingsView source

Sandro Lopopolo

29 April 1966March 1967

Became champion: 29 April 1966

Won the title by defeating Carlos Hernández.

First shown in July 1966 rankingsView source

Carlos Hernandez

18 January 1965May 1966

Became champion: 18 January 1965

Won the title by defeating Eddie Perkins.

First shown in January 1965 rankingsView source

Eddie Perkins

15 June 196318 January 1965

583 days

Became champion: 15 June 1963

Won the title by defeating Roberto Cruz.

First shown in June 1963 rankingsView source

Duilio Loi

15 December 196224 January 1963

40 days

Became champion: 15 December 1962

Won the title by defeating Eddie Perkins.

First shown in January 1963 rankingsView source

Eddie Perkins

14 September 1962November 1962

Became champion: 14 September 1962

Won the title by defeating Duilio Loi on 14 September 1962, The Ring’s original ratings for 26 September list Perkins as world champion, confirming this earlier reign despite its omission from later secondary title lists.

First shown in September 1962 rankingsView source

Duilio Loi

27 June 196214 September 1962

79 days

Became champion: 27 June 1962

Was recognized as The Ring junior welterweight champion on 27 June 1962 when the magazine restored recognition of the division, as announced that day by UPI.

First shown in August 1962 rankingsView source

Sammy Fuller

20 May 1932August 1932

Became champion: 20 May 1932

Claimed the world junior welterweight championship after defeating Jack Kid Berg by split decision, although that claim was disputed rather than universally recognized.

First shown in May 1932 rankingsView source

Jack 'Kid' Berg

18 February 193020 May 1932

822 days

Became champion: 18 February 1930

Won the title by defeating Mushy Callahan.

First shown in February 1930 rankingsView source

Mushy Callahan

August 192918 February 1930

Was already a world champion when The Ring introduced these ratings. His 1926 win against Pinky Mitchell predates Ring’s later recognition; no exact Ring award day is established.

First shown in August 1929 rankingsView source

RING Super Lightweight Title History

Something look wrong? Report an error