Ranking the Top 10 Lightweights in Britain

The British lightweight scene is buzzing right now.

Terry Flanagan currently holds the WBO title, Derry Mathews is the interim WBA champion and Anthony Crolla is set to get a second crack at Darleys Perez, who holds the full WBA belt.

Throw the experienced pair of Kevin Mitchell and Ricky Burns into the mix, then stir in the Hull duo of Luke Campbell and Tommy Coyle, and you have a great mix of fighters at the 135-pound limit.

The only question is, who currently sits on top of the pile?

In the aftermath of Campbell's victory over Coyle, there has been plenty of debate on social media over where Cool Hand Luke now sits in the pecking order.

Kevin Mitchell of the Guardian looked into the crowded division in his latest blog, writing: "I would back Crolla to beat Burns – but maybe not Mathews in a rubber match – Mitchell to give everyone fits, edging Mathews and taking Flanagan all the way; and Walsh to outpoint Crolla. Within a year or 18 months, though, I think Campbell beats all of them."

We've had a go at ranking the top 10 Brits in the weight class.

Before the countdown begins, a point to bear in mind while you're reading—a premium has been placed on recent success, rather than past glories.

Also, understand it is possible to make the case for fighter A beating fighter B, even if the latter is listed in a higher position.

This is about putting them in an order of achievement, as much as rating their talent.

Record: 14-1 (3 KOs)

Last fight: Lost to Scott Cardle on points (May 30)

Craig Evans suffered the first defeat of his professional career when he was beaten on points by Scott Cardle in a bout for the British title.

Welshman Evans came up short on all three scorecards at the O2 Arena in London, the judges all awarding the fight to his opponent by a 116-112 scoreline.

However, there's plenty of time for the 25-year-old to bounce back. Per Gareth Griffiths of Wales Online, he said after the first setback in the paid ranks: " I’ll come again. You haven’t seen the last of Craig Evans.”

Record: 19-0 (13 KOs)

Last fight: Won against Isaias Santos Sampaio by KO (July 11)

Liam Walsh has won the British and Commonwealth belts at super featherweight, but he has also fought on several occasions at lightweight.

He was the WBO European titleholder at the limit and has comfortably flitted between the two divisions in his promising career so far.

A stylish southpaw with a 68 percent knockout percentage, Walsh currently holds the WBO Inter-Continental lightweight strap at 135 pounds after flattening Brazilian Isaias Santos Sampaio in Manchester.

Record: 18-0 (5 KOs)

Last fight: Won against Craig Evans on points (May 30)

Scott Cardle has been making steady progress through the domestic ranks, culminating in him becoming British champion in his last outing.

Scotty—who works alongside fellow lightweight Anthony Crolla in trainer Joe Gallagher's gym—previously held the English title and has yet to taste defeat since turning professional in 2013.

The 25-year-old is a stylish boxer. Although he has dominated many of his opponents, he's shown an inability to put them away inside the distance.

Record: 21-3 (10 KOs)

Last fight: Lost to Luke Campbell by TKO (August 1)

Tommy Coyle failed to upset the odds when he took on Luke Campbell at the KC Lightstream Stadium in Hull, England.

Boom Boom gave it his best shot, but admitted to Sky Sports after being stopped by his former gym-mate in his home city: "I'm a domestic fighter at best and that's it."

Coyle, however, could give any of the names on the list a tough night in the ring.

It should be remembered he was on top against Derry Mathews in 2013, only to be dramatically stopped by the Liverpudlian in the 10th round.

Record: 38-5-1 (12 KOs)

Last fight: Won against Prince Ofotsu by TKO (August 1)

Ricky Burns is a two-weight world champion who held the WBO title at 135 pounds until he ran into Terence Crawford in March 2014.

The Scotsman stepped up to light welterweight to take on unbeaten American Omar Figueroa Jr. earlier this year, putting in a brave performance in defeat in Texas.

He returned back to lightweight to defeat Ghanaian Prince Ofotsu in Hull, England, on the undercard to the bout between Luke Campbell and Tommy Coyle.

It remains to be seen how much Burns has left in the tank, though he is hungry for more success, as he told Colin Patterson of the Scottish Daily Record (H/T Bleacher Report): "I’m confident I can get back to winning ways. There are so many big fights at lightweight, not only in the UK, but on the world scene and I can’t wait to get involved in the thick of it."

Record: 12-0 (10 KOs)

Last fight: Won against Tommy Coyle by TKO (August 1)

Following an outstanding amateur career, Luke Campbell has made a smooth transition to the pro game.

The gold medalist at the 2012 Olympics in London has dealt with every challenge that has been put in front of him with relative ease, the last of them being a much-hyped clash with Tommy Coyle.

A southpaw who can produce all the shots, Campbell earned himself a shot at WBC champion Jorge Linares with his stoppage of Coyle.

However, while the target is to become a world champion sooner rather than later, promoter Eddie Hearn said, per Gareth A. Davies of the Telegraph: "The likelihood is that Luke will now fight in a final eliminator before a world title shot, but we'll be working closely with his team and deciding when he really is ready."

Record: 29-4-3 (11 KOs)

Last fight: Majority draw against Darleys Perez (July 18)

Anthony Crolla will count himself unlucky not to be in possession of a world title right now. 

Returning to action after suffering serious injuries trying to prevent a burglary at his neighbours' house, Million Dollar Crolla put up an impressive display against Darleys Perez in Manchester, England.

However, two judges scored the bout 113-113, while the other official gave Perez the nod 116-111.

The numbers on the cards meant the champion retained his belt. Jeff Powell of the Mail wrote in his fight report: "Crolla was left without a belt but with a whole world of sympathy and affection."

Per Sky Sports, the 28-year-old—who lost his British title to Derry Mathews back in 2012 before the pair drew in a rematch—will get a second crack at Colombian Perez later this year.

Record: 39-3 (29 KOs)

Last fight: Lost to Jorge Linares by TKO (May 30)

Kevin Mitchell has had an excellent career since turning pro at 18, yet a world title has eluded him.

The Hammer has failed on three occasions to claim a major belt, losing to Michael Katsidis at his beloved Upton Park—the home of West Ham, his favourite football team—in 2010.

He also failed to take the WBO belt from Ricky Burns two years later.

His most recent attempt to become a world champion saw him push Jorge Linares all the way before eventually being stopped in the 10th round in May.

Mitchell is still only 30, but he will not want to wait too long to get another shot at glory. Had he been successful against Linares, the Londoner would have been top of this list. 

Record: 38-9-2 (20 KOs)

Last fight: Won against Tony Luis on points (April 18)

Derry Mathews has had to be patient for his chance to reach the top of the lightweight division.

A warrior from Liverpool who has fought Anthony Crolla (twice), Tommy Coyle and Terry Flanagan, the 31-year-old twice saw bouts with interim WBA champion Richar Abril fall through.

He eventually ended up facing Davis Luis for the vacant belt, beating the Canadian on points.

It completed a remarkable rise for Dirty Derry, who has been a pro for over 12 years but taken a rather unusual route to the world stage.

Mathews told Nick Parkinson of ESPN back in April: "There were times I thought it was over. But I love boxing, I love the discipline of the sport and the sacrifices I've had to make to over the last couple of years have been worth it.”

Record: 28-0 (11 KOs)

Last fight: Won against Jose Zepeda after his opponent retired (July 11)

As the only full world champion on the list, Terry Flanagan deserves to sit at the top of our British rankings.

The Manchester southpaw claimed the vacant WBO belt when a dislocated left shoulder forced Jose Zepeda to withdraw after the second round.

Flanagan had previously won the British and European belts and is also a former prizefighter champion.

Not renowned for his power, Turbo’s triumph over Zepeda saw him become the first Englishman to be crowned world champion at lightweight.