Who Will Be The Last Man Standing At 154?
Which fighter within the PBC landscape will emerge as the man in the talent-laden super welterweight division?
The 154-pound division is arguably the most competitive weight class in the sport today. Within the PBC umbrella, it may be at its most intriguing point in years. Many would-be kings are circling the throne, each attempting to lay claim to supremacy. But who will be the last man standing at PBC’s 154-pound summit? Here is a look at all the candidates in one of boxing’s most captivating weight classes.
1
THE CLUBHOUSE LEADER
Sebastian Fundora
The 6-foot-6 “Towering Inferno†has defied the natural expectation that a man of his height would rely solely on range. On the contrary, Sebastian Fundora can do it all, be it boxing from the outside or banging in a phone booth.
Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs) took a major step toward claiming the throne in July, when he successfully defended his WBC world title with a dominant stoppage of former champion Tim Tszyu in a rematch of their bloody 2024 encounter. Fundora showed all the skills in the return bout, whipping the jab from the outside and landing punishing hooks and uppercuts in close quarters. In his prime at 27 and with wins over Tszyu (twice), Erickson Lubin and more, Fundora is the current frontrunner to emerge atop the PBC 154-pound gauntlet. Â
2
IN THE HUNT
Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) has quietly built himself into one of the most dangerous fighters in the 154-pound division. The Russia native, now based in the United States, spent years honing his craft while awaiting a title opportunity. When it came, he was at his best as he scored a third-round KO to wrest away the IBF world title from Tim Tszyu last October.
Tall for the weight at 5-foot-11 with a long reach, Murtazaliev uses a disciplined, methodical style built around a stiff jab, intelligent footwork, and precise straight punches. Against anyone in the top tier, his combination of size, patience, and technical sharpness makes him a tough puzzle to solve. Don’t be surprised if this hard-hitting technician emerges as the man to disrupt the established order at 154.
Erickson Lubin
Erickson “The Hammer†Lubin (27-2, 19 KOS) has been a fixture in the 154-pound mix for years, his career defined by resilience and reinvention. A former world title challenger who has fought a who’s who of top 154-pounders, Lubin’s southpaw stance, crisp combination punching, and underrated defensive skills make him one of the most polished boxers in PBC’s super welterweight stable.
Lubin’s power—particularly in his left cross—remains a weapon capable of changing a fight instantly. Still only 29 and on the verge of another world title shot, likely against the aforementioned Murtazaliev, Lubin just might have the tools to emerge as the one at 154.
Keith Thurman
Keith “One Time†Thurman (31-1, 23 KOs) remains one of boxing’s most charismatic figures, and his entry into the 154-pound mix adds another layer of intrigue. A former unified welterweight champion, Thurman’s prime was built on athleticism, sharp counterpunching, and fight-altering power—particularly in his right hand. When active and healthy, he’s proven he can outbox aggressive opponents and outgun technicians.
Moving to 154 poses both opportunities and challenges. The biggest question surrounding Thurman is activity—he’s fought sporadically in recent years yet looked as good as ever in dismantling Joey Spencer last April in a 154-pound contest. Thurman’s skill set makes him a live threat against anyone at super welter. In a division where youth is rising, Thurman’s star power, experience and savvy could make him a kingmaker—or the king himself.
Jesus Ramos Jr.
Jesus Ramos Jr. (23-1, 19 KOs) is part of the new wave at 154. “Mono†stands a tick below 6’ and is naturally bigger than most at 154. Add in that he was born into a fighting family, came up sparring some of the world’s greatest fighters, and fights with a rhythm that bely his age and it’s easy to see him becoming the man at 154.
Ramos is only 24 yet has amassed an impressive resume, having fought Lubin, Brian Mendoza, Jeison Rosario and more. He’s no stranger to the “big fight†feel and has the temperament to shine under the bright lights. And he’s still getting better. If his progression continues, Ramos could evolve from promising contender to the division king in short order.
3
ON THE RISE
Yoenis Tellez
Yoenis Tellez announced himself to the boxing world with an emphatic knockout of top contender Sergio Garcia in 2023. Tellez (10-0, 7 KOs) fights like a man who has been groomed in the disciplined Cuban amateur system, yet he brings an aggressive, pro-ready mindset that separates him from more cautious stylists from his homeland.
Tellez may only be 24 yet he showed a veteran poise in soundly outpointing former unified champion Julian Williams last March. In a division full of veterans and former champions, Tellez’s combination of youth, hunger and ring IQ could make him the last man standing.
4
THE X-FACTOR
Jermell Charlo
For much of the past decade, Jermell Charlo was the unquestioned king of the 154-pound division. A unified and undisputed champion, Charlo systematically cleared out top contenders, unifying all four major belts and stamping his Hall of Fame credentials. Charlo never truly lost his place at 154 in the ring—his move up to face Canelo Alvarez at 168 was an ambitious jump, but it took him out of the division’s spotlight. With his belts vacated and Fundora now leading the race, there’s a compelling narrative that Charlo’s absence created a temporary vacancy rather than a definitive dethroning.
At his best, Charlo is a complete fighter, one who would have been elite in any era. He has recently taken to social media to hint at a return to 154. If he can work his way back to his old division, he has the skill, power, and championship experience to become the man once more. In a loaded PBC 154-pound field, he remains the wild card who could upend the hierarchy overnight.
5
THE DARKHORSE
Errol Spence Jr.
“The Truth†hasn’t officially entered the 154-pound division but if he did, it would add a proven big-fight performer whose presence could instantly alter the balance of power. For years, Spence was one of the most dominant forces at welterweight—unifying titles, headlining major events, and defeating some of the best fighters of his era. His combination of disciplined fundamentals, relentless body work, and mental toughness made him one of boxing’s most complete champions.
The move up to 154 would come at a pivotal moment. Free from the punishing weight cuts of his welterweight days, Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) could regain stamina, punch resistance, and sharpness that may have dulled in recent years. Against naturally bigger opponents, his physical strength and inside game remain potent weapons, and his ability to adjust tactics mid-fight has always set him apart. If Spence can fully adapt to a new weight class and stay healthy, he could bypass the contender grind and move directly into title contention.
The Premier Boxing Champions’ 154-pound division is a minefield—one wrong step and a fighter’s title dreams can vanish overnight. In a division where one fight can alter the balance of power, the question remains: Who will be the last man standing? The only certainty is that in PBC’s 154-pound arena, the battle for supremacy is far from over, and the one who claims it will have truly earned his crown.