The five big fights to be made at super welterweight in 2026

Terence Crawford using the super welterweight division as a pitstop last year en route to conquering Canelo Alvarez at super middleweight in September created a dynamic shift at 154 pounds.

Now, the division touts under-30 stars such as Vergil Ortiz Jr., Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, Xander Zayas and Sebastian Fundora each vying for supremacy.

The same can be said for slightly older fighters in Bakhram Murtazaliev, Abass Baraou and Keith Thurman.

Just like that, it is buzzing at 154 pounds.

That said, leading up to Ortiz, the WBC interim super welterweight champion, taking on Erickson Lubin live on DAZN on Saturday night, DAZN News believes it is only right to list the five biggest fights that can be made at 154 pounds in 2026.

Vergil Ortiz Jr./Erickson Lubin winner vs. Jaron 'Boots' Ennis

Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images

Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis are interim titleholders at 154 pounds and have talked eagerly about throwing hands in 2026.

One problem, though — each camp is blaming the other for the fight not being signed yet.

If Ortiz is successful this weekend against a rugged Erickson Lubin, this fight would top all at super welterweight for the New Year.

Eddie Hearn said it best to The Ring: “You always want to win a world title but the fact is the best fight in the 154-pound division that can get made is ‘Boots’ against Vergil Ortiz.”

We agree with that sentiment wholeheartedly as the matchup and its emerging winner could be the new torchbearer for this generation in a suddenly thrilling weight class.

If Lubin can find a way to defeat Ortiz, though, he would more than deserve the crack at ‘Boots.’

Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou

(Top Rank)

There were talks of a possible fight between Xander Zayas and Vergil Ortiz Jr. that never materialized.

But the newly-crowned WBO super welterweight world champion Zayas unifying with WBA titleholder Abass Baraou would be a stellar matchup in its own right.

Such a fight would pit the boxing-punching style of the Puerto Rican champ Zayas up against the persistence of the German champ Baraou.

Fans cannot lose.

Sebastian Fundora vs. Keith Thurman

(Esther Lin/PBC)

‘The Towering Inferno’ Sebastian Fundora was slated to put his WBC super welterweight world title on the line against former unified 147-pound champion Keith Thurman on October 25, live on pay-per-view.

However, a hand injury Fundora suffered while sparring scrapped that fight.

So why not let this bout pan out for the New Year? That way, boxing fans would see whether Thurman’s ring savvy can resolve the 6-foot-5 conundrum that is Fundora with his prodding reach and deceptively punishing power.

Xander Zayas vs. Jaron 'Boots' Ennis

Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing

Prior to defeating Jorge Garcia to become the new WBO super welterweight world champion in July, Xander Zayas spoke with DAZN News and explained why a showdown with Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis would be a dream bout, evening naming New York City’s legendary Madison Square Garden as the perfect host.

“On the East Coast, him being from Philly, me fighting so many times in New York and being Puerto Rican,” Zayas said with excitement, “it could be an excellent fight.”

Their methodical pressure and all-around sweet science expertise would make this fight a must-see at 154 pounds in 2026.

Mikaela Mayer vs. Oshae Jones

Top Rank/Mikey Williams

Mikaela Mayer did not have any trouble moving up in weight to produce a unanimous decision over Mary Spencer just last week. The lopsided points win gave Mayer the lion’s share of the hardware at super welterweight as she snatched Spencer’s WBA championship and collected the vacant WBC and WBO titles as well.

Mayer can move back down to welterweight where she still possesses the WBO title in an attempt to fight Lauren Price for the undisputed crown there.

Or she can roam in her new terrain and clash with IBF 154-pound champ Oshae Jones for undisputed super welterweight glory.

The bout would pit the sound sweet science skills of Mayer against the stalking, pounding pressure of Jones to decide the queen of the ring.

Watch Oritz Jr. vs. Lubin live on DAZN

Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Erickson Lubin is live on DAZN this Saturday night, November 8. Watch the fight and whole card with a DAZN subscription.

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