Five Super Lightweight Fighters to Watch in 2025

The super lightweight boxing division has continued to produce brilliant fighters, with established names making waves and new names emerging. Looking ahead to 2025, Big Fight Weekend brings you five super lightweight boxers to watch in the coming year.

Super Lightweight Boxing: Top Fighters to Watch in 2025

Super Lightweight Boxing: Andy Hiraoka

Andy Hiraoka (24-0, 19 KOs) is primed for a memorable 2025 and will be looking to be more active than his one fight in 2023 and one in 2024. His only fight last year was a clinical performance as he comprehensively defeated Ismael Barroso. He fights well at a distance and is a vicious counterpuncher. A 2025 title shot surely beckons for “Da Blade.”

Brandun Lee

Towards the end of 2024, Queensberry Promotions showed a desire to add more international talent to their roster, which will give them a plethora of options when their DAZN deal begins in April 2025. One of the international fighters they signed was Brandun Lee (29-0, 23 KOs), who won his Queensberry debut on July 27 against Juan Anacona, his first fight in over 12 months. Activity will be the priority for the Californian fighter. Under George and Frank Warren, there should be plenty of opportunities for the 25-year-old to climb up the super lightweight rankings and showcase his power and boxing skills.

Ernesto Mercado

Undefeated super lightweight sensation Ernesto Mercado (16-0, 15 KOs) is one of the most recognised up-and-coming fighters in the division. He has recently joined Matchroom Boxing, which will give the Upland native plenty of opportunities. “Tito” is thoughtful with everything he does, wasting little. He uses his jab well, before using his powerful right hand. Watch out for Mercado in 2025.

Pierce O’Leary

Next on our list is another Queensberry fighter, Pierce “Big Bang” O’Leary (16-0, 9 KOs). The Irish fighter is fast making a name for himself and climbing the rankings. He has shown patience in his work, which goes well alongside his clear power, which he showed last time out, with the brutal knockout of Jose Edgardo Perdomo. 2025 should be a huge year for “Big Bang” as he approaches the top 10 in the WBC rankings.

Samantha Worthington

Katie Taylor reigns supreme in the women’s super lightweight division, but American Samantha Worthington (10-0, 7 KOs) is fast making her way up the rankings, with three impressive wins in 2024. A stop-start beginning to her career – saw her increase her activity in 2023, racking up five wins. A step up in opposition is needed for the “Alabama” native, and should she pass that test, a chance at a title or interim title shouldn’t be too far away. Represented by Claressa Shields (T-Rex Promotions) and Salita Promotions, opportunities will seemingly be aplenty for the 29-year-old in 2025 and beyond.