Boxing: Top 10 featherweight rankings

A viable argument can be made that the featherweight division is boxing’s best, and the debate could be settled by the end of next month.

On Saturday, World Boxing Assn. “world”champion Jesus Cuellar of Argentina defends his belt at Galen Center against former three-division world champion Abner Mares.

Cuellar (28-1, 21 knockouts), trained by Freddie Roach, seeks to affirm a top-five standing in a field that includes unbeaten world champions Carl Frampton of Northern Ireland and Southland-trained Oscar Valdez.

Just more than a month from now, the division will be showcased again when Showtime clears main-event space for a 126-pound title fight, between Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz, the former three-division champion he defeated by decision in July.

Times boxing writer Lance Pugmire assesses the current featherweight field:

1. Carl Frampton, Northern Ireland, 23-0, 14 KOs.

The most popular fighter behind Conor McGregor in his country, Frampton expects another show of strong support for his rematch with Santa Cruz in Las Vegas next month. Frampton said last week that he’s convinced he can take Santa Cruz’s best effort and win again with resilience and counter-punching.

Next fight: Defends his WBA “super” featherweight belt Jan. 28 vs. Cruz.

2. Oscar Valdez, Lake Elsinore, 21-0, 19 KOs.

The 25-year-old former Olympian from Mexico dominated when he knocked out Hiroshige Osawa on Nov. 5 in his first WBO title defense. Valdez hopes to fight one of the many strong Premier Boxing Champions featherweights in 2017.

Next fight: Valdez and his promoter, Top Rank, might land a March date. The top WBO contender is Colombia’s Miguel Marriaga.

3. Leo Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, 32-1-1, 18 KOs.

Seconds after his first loss, Santa Cruz sought a rematch with Frampton. Santa Cruz said that a full training camp with his father-trainer, Jose, who was ailing with cancer last summer, will produce a harder, more effective punching display against Frampton in their rematch.

Next fight: Seeks to regain the WBA belt against Frampton on Jan. 28.

4. Jesus Cuellar, Argentina, 28-1, 21 KOs.

The tough, muscular Cuellar seems poised to heighten his reputation when he meets Mares, who is desperate to avoid a third title loss in the past three-plus years.

Next fight: Defends his WBA “world” featherweight belt Saturday at Galen Center against Mares.

5. Gary Russell Jr., Maryland, 27-1, 16 KOs.

He’s a boxing talent, but has been too selective about jumping into a big fight after taking his lumps in a 2014 loss to Vasyl Lomachenko. Russell last fought in April, knocking out Patrick Hyland in the second round.

Next fight: Nothing on the schedule for the World Boxing Council champion, but he could land in a title unification against Lee Selby next year.

6. Abner Mares, Hawaiian Gardens, 29-2-1, 15 KOs.

He swears his union with trainer Robert Garcia will limit the toe-to-toe slugging that hurt him in the majority decision loss to Santa Cruz at in August 2015. Mares also grasps the urgency of his situation at age 31.

Next fight: Saturday against Cuellar in a Showtime main event.

7. Lee Selby, England, 23-1, 8 KOs.

The International Boxing Federation champion lacks an opponent after successfully defending his belt and surviving a knockdown against Eric Hunter in April.

Next fight: In need of a signature bout, Selby would crave a shot at Frampton.

8. Joseph Diaz Jr., South El Monte, 22-0, 13 KOs.

As a dedicated a student of the sport, Diaz is the No. 3-ranked contender in the WBC and No. 4 in WBO. He is well-positioned to gain a title shot in 2017.

Next fight: Meets Horacio Garcia (30-1-1) Dec. 17 on the undercard of Bernard Hopkins’ farewell bout against Joe Smith Jr. at the Forum.

9. Jorge Lara, Mexico, 28-0-2, 20 KOs.

He showed an impressive free-swinging style in April by knocking down former multi-division champion Fernando Montiel four times in the first round.

Next fight: Likely to fight on the undercard of Frampton-Santa Cruz, but his opponent is not set.

10. Josh Warrington, England, 24-0, 5 KOs.

Not a lot of power, but the popular Brit draws big, vocal crowds in the U.K. and he’s ranked No. 2 by the WBC and No. 3 in the IBF.

Next fight: Nothing scheduled.

Others: 11. Miguel Marriaga; 12. Simpiwe Vetyeka; 13. Cristian Mijares; 14. Ronny Rios; 15. Abraham Lopez.

lance.pugmire@latimes.coom

Twitter: @latimespugmire