Who is the best lightweight in the world?

[davor1]

[crusader]

For me it's a tough question to answer, as I haven't seen much that shows a clear split between Barthelemy (is he still at 135 though?), Linares, Flanagan, Crolla, and Zlaticanin. The Crolla-Linares winner may have the best resume claim to #1, but I'm not so sure they'd be better than the three other guys they didn't beat, and regardless of what The Ring claims I won't recognize them as 'the man' at the weight.

Robert Easter also looked good in blowing out Mendez, and he's one to keep an eye on.

[lefty]

In my opinion it's tough to say there's a clear best guy between Barthelemy (is he still at 135 though?), Linares, Flanagan, Crolla, and Zlaticanin. The Crolla-Linares winner may have the best resume claim to #1, but I'm not so sure they'd be better than the three other guys they didn't beat, and regardless of what The Ring claims I won't recognize them as 'the man' at the weight.

Robert Easter also looked good in blowing out Mendez, and he's one to keep an eye on.

I think Barthelemy is moving to 140. Not sure if part of the reason was that (I think) he has the same training set up as Linares.

[Counter-puncher]

One of the weaker divisions in boxing?

[Omerta]

If he didn't insist on eating baked beans on toast washed down with a can of coke for breakfast everyday then probably fat boy frankie Gavin!!!! Seriously though at world level lw is pretty weak division arguably the weakest??

[DannyMCR]

For me its a toss up between Linares, Zlaticanin & Flanagan, in no particular order. Crolla will push Linares out of that top tier depending on how he performs on the night.

I feel as though Linares has too many miles on the clock and with Crolla improving more and more with each fight, he has a massive chance of taking the green belt and setting up another unification, hopefully with Flanagan. To be honest though Eddie will more than likely push him into an easy voluntary before another risky fight.

But to answer your question, I genuinely have no idea or opinion at the moment

[littlepug]

One of the weaker divisions in boxing?

If it is at least their all around the same level which should make for some decent fights

[Taansend]

There's no stand out champ right now. Crolla has looked excellent since coming back from his spat with McBurgler. I loved his timing & movement against Barroso or whatever his name was.

Flanagan has been impressing me since he won Prizefighter although he wasn't impressive against Derry & Fana is just a what the f*ck fight.

Verdejo looks to be one for the future.

[danamba7]

There's no stand out champ right now. Crolla has looked excellent since coming back from his spat with McBurgler. I loved his timing & movement against Barroso or whatever his name was.

Flanagan has been impressing me since he won Prizefighter although he wasn't impressive against Derry & Fana is just a what the f*ck fight.

Verdejo looks to be one for the future.

Agree. People can argue whether the division is at a high level or not but you can't argue that Crolla is a joy to watch.

[davie]

Can't say conclusively but I like Flannagan and fancy him to top the division.
We need to wait and see if all the top fights can be made to prove that but I'd back him to clear out the division if they did

[pimp]

mikey Garcia, defiantly not Crolla worst world champion around

[Autobarn]

It's a really interesting division.

Really enjoyed Crolla's last two fights. Great offensive skills and some exciting exchanges.

Linares v Mitchell was outstanding as well.

We've had so many terrific fights on the domestic scene that it's great to see UK fighters riding to win world title belts.

[expe]

Purely based on record I'd say Zlaticanin, Linares doesn't have that much on his, Flanagan's only beaten one fighter in the top 10 and Crolla hasn't beaten any.

Going on ability I'd go Flanagan, Zlaticanin, Linares, Crolla right now, but that could change a lot depending on upcoming fights.

[PredatorHayds]

Barthelemy until he officially moves up.

After he does I'd the make the Crolla-Linares winner division number 1.

[davor1]

For me its a toss up between Linares, Zlaticanin & Flanagan, in no particular order. Crolla will push Linares out of that top tier depending on how he performs on the night.

I feel as though Linares has too many miles on the clock and with Crolla improving more and more with each fight, he has a massive chance of taking the green belt and setting up another unification, hopefully with Flanagan. To be honest though Eddie will more than likely push him into an easy voluntary before another risky fight.

But to answer your question, I genuinely have no idea or opinion at the moment

They cant pick up the green belt Zlaticanin is WBC champ

[DannyMCR]

For me its a toss up between Linares, Zlaticanin & Flanagan, in no particular order. Crolla will push Linares out of that top tier depending on how he performs on the night.

I feel as though Linares has too many miles on the clock and with Crolla improving more and more with each fight, he has a massive chance of taking the green belt and setting up another unification, hopefully with Flanagan. To be honest though Eddie will more than likely push him into an easy voluntary before another risky fight.

But to answer your question, I genuinely have no idea or opinion at the moment

They cant pick up the green belt Zlaticanin is WBC champ

I was referring to the diamond version pal, Linares is still the man to beat at 135

[crusader]

Why is Linares the man to beat (only notable win at 135 is a come from behind stoppage against a guy who always fell short) and since when is the diamond belt more than another subsidary trinket?

Zlaticanin is the full WBC champ, not Linares. If Linares wanted to contnue labelling himself as the WBC's head champ he should've fought Zlaticanin like he was ordered to, although I think he wouldve lost his belt in that fight anyway.

[davie]

mikey Garcia, defiantly not Crolla worst world champion around

Fantastic fighter, shame his career has been on hold for 2 and a half years.
Will he be campaigning at lightweight on his return against Elio Rojas?
Rojas last 2 fights were at feather weight in 2012 then light welter weight in 2014, with Garcia previously at super featherweight

[pimp]

mikey Garcia, defiantly not Crolla worst world champion around

Fantastic fighter, shame his career has been on hold for 2 and a half years.
Will he be campaigning at lightweight on his return against Elio Rojas?
Rojas last 2 fights were at feather weight in 2012 then light welter weight in 2014, with Garcia previously at super featherweight

Garcia has said he's moving up to lightweight, he's a top fighter I'm glad he's back on the scene

[davie]

mikey Garcia, defiantly not Crolla worst world champion around

Fantastic fighter, shame his career has been on hold for 2 and a half years.
Will he be campaigning at lightweight on his return against Elio Rojas?
Rojas last 2 fights were at feather weight in 2012 then light welter weight in 2014, with Garcia previously at super featherweight

Garcia has said he's moving up to lightweight, he's a top fighter I'm glad he's back on the scene