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The Times ranks the top 10 boxers in the talented 126- to 135-pound weight classes

Vasyl Lomachenko, left, hits Nicholas Walters during their Nov. 26 bout in Las Vegas.
Vasyl Lomachenko, left, hits Nicholas Walters during their Nov. 26 bout in Las Vegas.
(John Locher / Associated Press)
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This weekend is a showcase of three talent-laden boxing divisions.

In Las Vegas, the loaded featherweight division will be displayed with the main-event rematch between unbeaten World Boxing Assn. champion Carl Frampton and once-beaten former three-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz.

Riverside’s unbeaten former featherweight and super-featherweight world champion Mikey Garcia pursues another belt against unbeaten WBC lightweight champion Dejan Zlaticanin in the Frampton-Santa Cruz co-main event.

Also on the card is International Boxing Federation featherweight world champion Lee Selby of England.

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In Indio, Francisco Vargas of Mexico makes the second defense of his WBC super-featherweight belt, while his 2015 foil Takashi Miura participates in the separate co-main event and Vargas’ June opponent, Orlando Salido, watches from ringside.

Below is The Times’ rankings of the top 10 boxers in the 126-, 130- and 135-pound divisions.

1. Vasyl Lomachenko; Ukraine; Super-featherweight; 7-1, 5 KOs.

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The two-time Olympic champion has already won belts in two divisions with his lone loss being to Salido in his second pro fight. Lomachenko’s sharpness reduced former power puncher Nicholas Walters to a lost soul before Walters effectively quit in their November bout. Some of the best news for the sport is that Lomachenko wants to fight often.

Next fight: Likely in early spring; opponent uncertain.

2. Carl Frampton; Northern Ireland; Featherweight; 23-0, 14 KOs.

Coming to the U.S. to boost his profile has proven to be a master stroke as Frampton proved more sturdy than Santa Cruz in a majority decision triumph in their first meeting last year in Brooklyn. And Frampton is likely to be boosted by the lively enthusiasm of his countryman on hand to create another big-fight atmosphere in Las Vegas.

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Next fight: Defends his WBA featherweight belt against Santa Cruz on Saturday.

3. Francisco Vargas; Mexico; Super-featherweight; 23-0-2, 17 KOs.

This is one fighter who could be excused for taking a softer fight after absorbing a lot of head-ringing damage against Miura and Salido. But his Saturday opponent, Miguel Berchelt of Mexico, is 30-1 with 27 knockouts, and Vargas seems to take delight in producing thrilling action.

Next fight: At Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino in Indio (and on HBO) versus Berchelt.

4. Oscar Valdez; Lake Elsinore; Featherweight; 21-0, 19 KOs.

Valdez’s pedigree, skill and relentlessness under trainer Manuel Robles makes him a leading player in the stacked division. As long as rival handlers can strike cross-promotion deals, the debate will be settled in the ring.

Next fight: TBA. The World Boxing Organization champion could face No. 1-rated contender Miguel Marriaga.

5. Leo Santa Cruz; La Habra; Featherweight; 32-1-1, 18 KOs.

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He confronts his moment of truth when he enters the ring against Frampton, who refused to yield to Santa Cruz in their first bout. Father-trainer Jose Santa Cruz vows that with the younger Santa Cruz’s seven-inch reach advantage over Frampton, the rematch will have a different outcome.

Next fight: Saturday on Showtime against WBA featherweight champion Frampton.

6. Jorge Linares; Japan; Lightweight; 41-3, 27 KOs.

The Venezuela native and WBA champion is a road warrior who successfully defended his belt in England against Anthony Crolla and is returning to Manchester in March for the rematch. At 31, after 256 rounds of work, his expiration date is nearer than others, though.

Next fight: March 25 against Crolla, whom Linares edged by scores of 115-114, 115-113, 117-111 on Sept. 24.

7. Mikey Garcia; Riverside; Lightweight; 35-0, 29 KOs.

Garcia might not have his third belt yet, but he is a 2-1 favorite to take the title from Zlaticanin Saturday. And Garcia would likely be favored over anyone in the division, given his boxing skill, smarts and power.

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Next fight: Saturday in the Showtime co-main event against WBC champion Zlaticanin.

8. Robert Easter Jr.; Toledo, Ohio; Lightweight; 18-0, 14 KOs.

His thrilling rally from off the canvas to defeat Richard Commey by split-decision in September drew deserved attention to the 26-year-old with a 76-inch reach.

Next fight: Feb. 10 against Luis Cruz (22-4-1) in Toledo.

9. Abner Mares; Hawaiian Gardens; Featherweight; 30-2-1, 15 KOs.

His return to glory last month by taking Jesus Cuellar’s secondary WBA featherweight belt ended a three-year period of malaise and was a credit to both his commitment and the work of new cornerman Robert Garcia, Mikey’s brother.

Next fight: TBA. Mares has reinserted himself into the conversation about potential opponents for Santa Cruz or WBC champion Gary Russell Jr.

10. Dejan Zlaticanin; Montenegro; Lightweight; 22-0, 15 KOs.

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Nicknamed “Dynamite, the 32-year-old WBC champion is a heavy-handed puncher. The question is whether he can handle the sophisticated ring smarts that Garcia displays. Zlaticanin, after all, just became a champion in June by defeating little-known Franklin Mamani.

Next fight: Saturday against Mikey Garcia.

Others: 11. Gary Russell Jr., WBC featherweight champion, 27-1, 16 KOs; 12. Orlando Salido, super-featherweight, 43-13-4, 27 KOs; 13. Terry Flanagan, WBO lightweight champion, 32-0, 13 KOs; 14. Lee Selby, IBF featherweight champion, 23-1, 8 KOs; 15. Joseph Diaz Jr., featherweight, 23-0, 13 KOs.

lance.pugmire@latimes.com

@latimespugmire

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