On Saturday night (October 12th, 2019), #1 rated women's Junior Welterweight, Jessica McCaskill defeated the division's #2 fighter, Erica Farias to win the vacant Lineal Championship at 140lbs.
140lbs World Champion: Jessica McCaskill
The top two fighters squaring off - traditionally in boxing, this is how true World Champions are crowned.
Earlier this year, McCaskill defeated #3 rated Anahi Sanchez. Last year she defeated Farias for the first time, when the Argentine was the clear #1.
Of course, the sanctioning bodies now pedal the idea that a fighter needs to win four ABC belts to become "undisputed" champion. Right now that would mean McCaskill would need to beat WBO belt holder, Christina Linardatou, who is is at #5 in our 140lbs top 5 - she is #6 with BoxRec (Katie Taylor has never fought at 140lbs before but is scheduled to fight Linardatou next month). Is there currently an IBF belt holder? BoxRec lists that title as vacant and nobody is listed as the holder on the IBF's website either. The "interim" IBF title holder is Victoria Bustos,who is #4 in our ratings.
Bustos has had just three fights at 140lbs in the last 4 years, one of which was a loss to Farias in 2016.
Chasing fights with the 4th and 5th rated fighters in a division should not be how you fill a World Championship vacancy.
McCaskill is the best at 140lbs, and she has beaten the best in this weight class. Give her the recognition she deserves. McCaskill is The Lineal Junior Welterweight World Champion.