Bam took the battle to Estrada from the opening bell. (Photograph by Kelsey Grant/Getty Pictures)
The Ring first launched its divisional scores in 1925. Nearly a century later, it’s no exaggeration to assert that these unbiased scores are essentially the most revered and talked-about in world boxing.
The Ring Scores Panel is made up of a dozen consultants from world wide. Opinions are shared, debate takes place, and the ultimate choice on who must be rated the place is set democratically each week. It sounds simple, however it may be an arduous and time-consuming course of.
I might be going by every division in reverse order and work my means up from strawweight to heavyweight to have a look at every rated fighter’s respective achievements and gaze into my crystal ball to see what could lay forward.
Subsequent up is junior bantamweight (115-pounds), which has a brand new sheriff on the town after Jesse Rodriguez vanquished grizzled veteran Juan Francisco Estrada to annex the Ring and WBC titles.
As at all times, please benefit from the debate and respect different individuals’s opinions.
CHAMPION – JESSE RODRIGUEZ
RECORD: 20-0 (13 KOs)
THE PAST: Rodriguez was a adorned beginner earlier than turning skilled at 17 years of age. “Bam” labored his means by the junior flyweight rankings and was a extremely touted prospect when he appeared on ESPN throughout the pandemic. The Texan was given the chance to leap two weight courses and face savvy former titleholder Carlos Cuadras for the vacant WBC title. He made essentially the most of his large probability, dropping Cuadras en path to claiming a 12-round unanimous choice. He went on to make two defenses, notably stopping Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (TKO 8). He determined to drop down in weight and picked up the vacant WBO title however suffered a damaged jaw within the course of in opposition to Cristian Gonzalez (UD 12). The 24-year-old southpaw stopped Sunny Edwards (RTD 9) so as to add the IBF title earlier than electing to vacate each titles to maneuver again as much as 115-pounds, the place, most not too long ago, he received The Ring junior bantamweight belt and regained the WBC title by getting off the canvas to knockout former pound-for-pound entrant Juan Francisco Estrada (KO 7).
THE FUTURE: Estrada has a rematch clause and it seems prefer it may occur in November.If he wins, it could be nice to see him additional solidifying his standing by going through IBF/WBA counterpart Fernando Martinez.
No. 1 – FERNANDO MARTINEZ
RECORD: 17-0 (9 KOs)
THE PAST: Martinez was a standout beginner and represented his residence nation of Argentina all around the world. Martinez appeared within the World Collection of Boxing and the 2016 Olympics earlier than turning skilled in 2017. He received his first 9 fights, all in Argentina, earlier than venturing to South Africa to cease Athenkosi Dumezweni (TKO 11). The 33-year-old was largely unknown till he scored an upset over Jerwin Ancajas (UD 12) to win the IBF title and repeated the trick in a rematch for his first protection. He then stopped one other Filipino in Jade Bornea (TKO 11). In his final outing he impressively unified belts with with WBA ruler Kazuto Ioka (UD 12) in Japan.
THE FUTURE: The highway warrior could have no drawback coming to America for an additional unification with Rodriguez, however would possibly have to bide his time. Hopefully he’ll keep lively within the meantime.
No. 2 – JUAN FRANCISCO ESTRADA
RECORD: 44-4 (28 KOs)
THE PAST: Estrada got here of age in a dropping effort to former pound-for-pound king Roman Gonzalez (UD 12) in November 2012. He rebounded to win WBA and WBO 112-pound titles on the expense of Brian Viloria (SD 12). After making 5 defenses, Estrada abdicated his throne for a transfer as much as junior bantamweight. After dropping to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (MD 12), he outboxed the big-punching Thai to assert Ring and WBC junior bantamweight titles within the rematch. He made three defenses, edging previous rival Gonzalez (SD 12) who held the WBA title, in a traditional. “El Gallo” had his WBA and WBC titles taken when he spent 18 months on the sidelines. When he returned he was given a harder-than-expected time in opposition to Argi Cortes (UD 12). Nonetheless, the 34-year-old returned to type boxing to an early lead and holding off Gonzalez (UD 12) to select up the vacant WBC title and retain his Ring title of their trilogy battle however once more didn’t battle for 18-months. His crew have been unable to dealer a deal to face Kazuto Ioka final 12 months and ended up as an alternative yielding his titles to Jesse Rodriguez (KO 7).
THE FUTURE: He has a rematch clause with Rodriguez, and issues are progressing in direction of a November date.
Fernando Martinez scores with an uppercut throughout his junior bantamweight title-unification battle in opposition to Kazuto Ioka. (Photograph by Naoki Fukuda)
No. 3 – KAZUTO IOKA
RECORD: 31-3-1 (16 KOs)
THE PAST: After claiming titles at strawweight and junior flyweight, Ioka misplaced for the primary time to IBF flyweight titleholder Amnat Ruenroeng (SD 12). Unperturbed, the Japanese star rebounded to greatest Juan Carlos Reveco (MD 12) to win the WBA belt in that division. He made 5 defenses, together with a rematch victory over Reveco (TKO 11), then shockingly retired from the game in 2017. Nonetheless, following a 17-month layoff, Ioka returned at junior bantamweight looking for extra glory. He misplaced a WBO title bout to Donnie Nietes (SD 12) however stopped Aston Palicte (TKO 10) for the exact same belt after Nietes vacated. The four-weight world titleholder made six profitable defenses, notably stopped Kosei Tanaka (TKO 8) earlier than dominating Nietes (UD 12) in a rematch. Seemed to unify with WBA titlist Joshua Franco however needed to accept a draw. Ioka, 35, determined to vacate his title as an alternative of going through his obligatory to pursue a rematch with Franco and impressively received a 12-round unanimous choice. Unable to safe a unification with Estrada, Ioka needed to accept a routine protection earlier than dropping his title to the hard-charging Martinez (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: Ioka usually fights on the year-end present in Japan – 13 occasions in his profession – and figures to return then, the place he may meet Pedro Guevara.
No. 4 – KOSEI TANAKA
RECORD: 20-1 (11 KOs)
THE PAST: Tanaka received the WBO strawweight title from Julian Yedras (UD 12) in his fifth battle and made one protection. He then moved as much as junior flyweight and received the vacant WBO title and made two defenses. The Japanese star outgrew that division and edged Sho Kimura (MD 12) to win the WBO flyweight title. He made three defenses of that one, notably outboxing former unified junior flyweight titleholder Ryoichi Taguchi (UD 12) and stopping present WBO 108-pound titlist Jonathan Gonzalez (TKO 7). The now 29-year-old jumped to 115 kilos however was brutally stopped by Ioka (TKO 8). The three-weight world champion regained his confidence with 4 wins and bested Christian Bacasegua (UD 12) for the vacant WBO crown. He had been tabbed to defend his belt in opposition to Jonathan Rodriguez final month, just for the Mexican to overlook weight and the battle being cancelled.
THE FUTURE: A mouthwatering battle with dwelling legend Roman Gonzalez has been teased.
No. 5 – CARLOS CUADRAS
RECORD: 42-5-1 (28 KOs)
THE PAST: Cuadras was a proficient beginner earlier than turning skilled in 2008. “El Principe” received his first 29 fights after which claimed the WBC title in opposition to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (TD 8). He made six title defenses earlier than dropping to Roman Gonzalez (UD 12). Since then he has misplaced two fights in opposition to Juan Francisco Estrada (UD 12/ TKO 11), the latter coming in a Ring/ WBC title battle. He additionally misplaced a WBC title battle to Jesse Rodriguez (UD 12). The 35-year-old Mexican warhorse received two fights earlier than respiratory new life into his profession edging previous compatriot Pedro Guevara (SD 12).
THE FUTURE: He tore his Achilles tendon in March and is recovering earlier than returning.
No. 6 – PEDRO GUEVARA
RECORD: 42-4-1 (22 KOs)
THE PAST: Guevara started his profession with 14 wins earlier than drawing with Mario Rodriguez (D 12). He righted the ship with 4 wins to earn a shot at IBF 108-pound titleholder John Riel Casimero, narrowly dropping a 12-round cut up choice. He scored wins over former two-time world champion Raul Garcia (SD 12) and Rodriguez (UD 12) in a rematch. These wins noticed him get a second tilt on the world title in opposition to Akira Yaegashi. This time, Guevara obtained the win stopping Yaegashi in seven rounds. He made two defenses at residence in Mazatlan earlier than dropping in Japan to Yu Kimura (SD 12). He later misplaced a battle with WBC 108-pound ruler Kenshiro Teraji (MD 12). Guevara jumped from 108 to 115 and reeled off 10 wins earlier than narrowly dropping to Cuadras (SD 12). The 35-year-old has received twice since, together with edging previous Moloney (SD 12).
THE FUTURE: Linked with a rematch with Moloney however may additionally go to Japan to face Ioka.
Andrew Moloney (left) lands a hook on Pedro Guevara – Photograph by Mikey Williams/High Rank
No. 7 – ANDREW MOLONEY
RECORD: 26-4 (16 KOs)
THE PAST: Moloney was a seasoned beginner and received gold on the 2014 Commonwealth video games. Has scored strong wins over Luis Concepcion (TKO 10), Miguel Gonzalez (TKO 8) and Elton Dharry (RTD 8). The Australian got here up quick in a three-fight sequence with then-WBA titlist Franco (UD 12/ ND 2/ UD 12). 4 wins noticed him effectively positioned to face Junto Nakatani for the vacant WBO title however was knocked out in 11 rounds. He returned with a win over Judy Flores (UD 10) however misplaced a heartbreaking choice to Pedro Guevara (SD 12).
THE FUTURE: Hopes to exorcise a couple of demons in a return with Guevara within the ultimate quarter of the 12 months.
No. 8 – SRISAKET SOR RUNGVISAI
RECORD: 56-6-1 (46 KOs)
THE PAST: Unseated WBC junior bantamweight titleholder Yota Sato (TKO 8) in Might 2013 however misplaced it to Carlos Cuadras (TD 8) after one protection. Reeled off 15 consecutive wins to earn a shot at his previous title in opposition to then-pound-for-pound No. 1 Roman Gonzalez. Srisaket upset big odds to win a controversial majority choice however left little question within the rematch, which he received by way of brutal fourth-round knockout. He went 1-1 with the aforementioned Estrada. He stayed within the title image with three wins whereas awaiting the rubber match, however settled on going through rising star Jesse Rodriguez for his previous title and was stopped in eight rounds. The 37-year-old obtained again within the win column with 4 lower-level wins.
THE FUTURE: Rungvisai has seen higher days however stays within the hunt whereas ready for one thing larger to current itself.
No. 9 – DAVID JIMENEZ
RECORD: 16-1 (11 KOs)
THE PAST: Jimenez fought internationally for Costa Rica as an beginner earlier than turning skilled in early 2019. The 32-year-old has been in a position to transfer comparatively rapidly. Nonetheless, it was his win over Ricardo Sandoval (MD 12) in a WBA title eliminator, through which he scored an eleventh spherical knockdown that made the distinction, that he drew approval for. Misplaced to Dalakian (UD 12) however has since returned to profitable methods with 4 wins, notably in opposition to the normally sturdy Rosendo Hugo Guarneros (RTD 7) and, most not too long ago, jumped as much as 115-pounds and bested John Ramirez (UD 12) for the WBA Interim title.
THE FUTURE: He’s but to determine whether or not his future lays at 112 or 115, and will battle in Costa Rica in December.
No. 10 – KJ CATARAJA
RECORD: 17-0 (13 KOs)
THE PAST: Cataraja was a proficient beginner domestically within the Philippines earlier than embarking on the following chapter as knowledgeable in 2015. His profession since has been one thing of a gradual burn preventing solely at residence. The 29-year-old received the OPBF title final 12 months when he bested Edward Heno (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: The unbeaten Filipino will face Kenbyn Torres in Japan on Saturday. All being effectively will hope to parlay his WBO No. 1 place right into a battle with Tanaka for the title.
On the Cusp: Rene Calixto Bibiano, Argi Cortes, Ricardo Malajika, Jayr Raquinel and Suzumi Takayama.
YOU MAY HAVE MISSED:
The Ring Scores Reviewed 2024: Pound for Pound – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Scores Reviewed 2024: Strawweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Scores Reviewed 2024: Junior flyweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Scores Reviewed 2024: Flyweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
Questions and/or feedback might be despatched to Anson at [email protected].
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