In considered one of his most up-to-date fights, Junto Nakatani (proper) outpointed the powerful Argi Cortes, who suffered three knockdowns however lasted the 12-round distance. (Picture by Naoki Fukuda)
The Ring first launched its divisional rankings in 1925. Virtually a century later, it’s no exaggeration to say that these unbiased rankings are probably the most revered and talked-about in world boxing.
The Ring Rankings Panel is made up of a dozen consultants from around the globe. Opinions are shared, debates happen, and the ultimate determination on who needs to be rated the place is determined democratically each week. It sounds straightforward, however it may be an arduous and time-consuming course of.
I shall be going by every division in reverse order to work my approach up from strawweight to heavyweight. I’ll then take a look at every rated fighter’s respective achievements and gaze into my crystal ball as to what might lay forward.
Subsequent up is bantamweight, which is presently ran by the Japanese, who maintain all 4 sanctioning physique belts distributed amongst their finest fighters.
As at all times, please benefit from the debate and respect different individuals’s opinions.
No. 1 – JUNTO NAKATANI
RECORD: 28-0 (21 KOs)
THE PAST: The heavy-handed boxer-puncher ran by his early opposition, the place he defeated future junior flyweight titlist Masamichi Yabuki (UD 4), future flyweight beltholder Seigo Yuri Akui (TKO 6) and handed the litmus take a look at of former 108-pound titleholder Milan Melindo (TKO 6). Covid stymied the tall 26-year-old’s progress and he needed to wait 13 months to win the vacant WBO title in opposition to Giemel Magramo (TKO 8). He made two defenses, together with his American debut, the primary one when he stopped former titleholder Angel Acosta (TKO 4) and afterward the undercard of Gennadiy Golovkin-Ryota Murata, the place he was equally spectacular bludgeoning Ryota Yamauchi (TKO 8). Moved as much as 115-pounds and beat powerful Mexican Francisco Rodriguez Jr. (UD 10) earlier than capturing the vacant WBO title with a highlight-reel knockout over Andrew Moloney (KO 11). He made one profitable protection in opposition to Argi Cortes (UD 12) earlier than heading to bantamweight the place he appeared each bit the longer term star stopping powerful Mexican Alexandro Santiago (TKO 6) to annex the WBC title and has since drilled obligatory challenger Vincent Astrolabio (KO 1).
THE FUTURE: He’ll face WBO No. 1 Petch CP Freshmart in Tokyo on October 14.
No. 2 – RYOSUKE NISHIDA
RECORD: 9-0 (1 KO)
THE PAST: Nishida turned skilled in 2019 and in simply his third outing he beat former world title challenger Shohei Omari (UD 8). The tall 28-year-old southpaw adopted that by dominating former WBC flyweight titlist Daigo Higa (UD 12). A wrist harm in his subsequent battle noticed him spend an prolonged interval on the sidelines. After a full restoration, he continued his rise to the highest beating Mexico’s Christian Medina (UD 12) in an IBF eliminator after which defeated Emmanuel Rodriguez (UD 12) to turn into IBF titleholder.
THE FUTURE: His staff is working in direction of his first protection in opposition to Anuchai Donsua in Osaka on December 15. After that, they’re concentrating on unifications in 2025.
No. 3 – TAKUMA INOUE
RECORD: 20-1 (5 KOs)
THE PAST: Though proficient in his personal proper, he lives in his older brother Naoya’s shadow. He gained the OPBF 115-pound title in simply his fifth battle, made two defenses earlier than stepping as much as bantamweight. He continued to realize expertise earlier than he misplaced his unbeaten report in a WBC title shot in opposition to Nordine Oubaali (UD 12). The 28-year-old beat Keita Kurihara (TD 9) to select up the OPBF 118-pound belt. He then moved as much as 122 kilos and beat skilled former world title challenger Shingo Wake (UD 12) and added the nationwide title beating grizzled veteran Gukuya Furuhashi (UD 12). Final outing he outpointed Liborio Solis (UD 12) to annex the vacant WBA title. He has since made two defenses, together with a career-best when he halted former junior bantamweight titlist Jerwin Ancajas (KO 9).
THE FUTURE: Inoue will meet countryman Seiya Tsutsumi in Tokyo on October 13.
Takuma Inoue (proper) takes it to Sho Ishida. Picture by Naoki Fukuda
No. 4 – YOSHIKI TAKEI
RECORD: 9-0 (8 KOs)
THE PAST: Takei had a really profitable K1 profession earlier than coming to boxing in 2021. In simply his fifth outing he gained the OPBF junior featherweight title and made one protection earlier than dropping to bantamweight the place he had two bouts, after which landed a shot at Jason Moloney’s WBO title. The 28-year-old southpaw raced out into an early lead and held off the spirited Australian late on to say the title by way of 12-round unanimous determination.
THE FUTURE: He’ll make his first title protection in opposition to fellow puncher Daigo Higa in an all-Japanese slugfest on the undercard of Inoue-Doheny on September 3.
No. 5 – EMMANUEL RODRIGUEZ
RECORD: 22-3 (13 KOs)
THE PAST: The previous Olympic Youth champion claimed the vacant IBF title with a masterclass efficiency to close out Paul Butler (UD 12). In his lone protection, the Puerto Rican boxer-puncher edged Jason Moloney (SD 12) within the WBSS earlier than shedding in startling vogue to Naoya Inoue (KO 2) within the semifinal. Rodriguez, 32, was for a very long time suffering from dangerous luck. After spending 18 months on the sidelines as a result of Covid-19 pandemic, he was robbed versus Reymart Gaballo (SD 12). In his very subsequent begin he met Gary Antonio Russell, however a head conflict inside 20 seconds curtailed that battle earlier than it had begun. He received again to profitable methods in Mexico earlier than beating Russell (TD 10) in rematch and at last regained his outdated IBF title by shutting out Melvin Lopez (UD 12). Nevertheless, he dropped the title in his maiden protection in opposition to Ryosuke Nishida (UD 12) in a wonderful battle.
THE FUTURE: Regardless of the title loss, he’s very well-known in Japan after loses to Naoya Inoue and, extra lately, Nishida, so a battle with one of many different titleholders might be one thing to purpose for.
No. 6 – JASON MOLONEY
RECORD: 27-3 (19 KOs)
THE PAST: Moloney comfortably climbed the rankings and stopped former titleholder Kohei Kono (TKO 6) in 2018. The 33-year-old then took half within the WBSS, and though he misplaced to IBF titlist Emmanuel Rodriguez (SD 12), the Australian boxer-puncher confirmed greater than sufficient to counsel that he belongs. He rebounded and received a shot at Ring champion and IBF/WBA titleholder Naoya Inoue. It proved a bridge too far, and he was stopped in seven rounds. He gained three fights earlier than touchdown a WBC eliminator in opposition to Nawaphon Sor Rungvisai (UD 12). When undisputed champion Inoue moved up in weight, the titles grew to become vacant and Moloney bested Vincent Astrolabio (MD 12) to fill the WBO emptiness. He defended his belt beating Saul Sanchez (MD 12) in an thrilling battle earlier than shedding it in Japan to Takei (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: Has stated he’d wish to face Takuma Inoue, and possibly that may occur within the fall. In any other case, he might look to have a smaller battle to get again within the combine.
No. 7 – ALEXANDRO SANTIAGO
RECORD: 28-4-5 (14 KOs)
THE PAST: Santiago has overcome a few early setbacks to determine himself as a strong skilled. The 28-year-old Mexican is already a 10-year veteran. In his first world title try he gave then-IBF 115-pound titlist Jerwin Ancajas (D 12) all he may deal with. Santiago misplaced an in depth battle to Gary Antonio Russell (SD 10) in late 2021 and had rebounded with three wins to earn a shot on the vacant WBC title in opposition to the legendary Nonito Donaire. Confirmed chin early to return on late and declare a unanimous determination to elevate the title. He misplaced the title in his first protection when he was stopped for the primary time in his profession by Nakatani (TKO 6).
THE FUTURE: Nonetheless licking his wounds from the title loss however will look to plot his return quickly.
No. 8 – DAVID CUELLAR
RECORD: 27-0 (17 KOs)
THE PAST: Cuellar began boxing at 5 and loved newbie profession earlier than he turned skilled in 2017. Since then he has fought solely in Mexico. The 21-year-old has wins over beforehand unbeaten Karim Arce (KO 9) and former world titleholder Moises Fuentes (KO 6), who later tragically misplaced his life from accidents suffered within the battle. “El Common” is ranked within the prime 15 by all 4 sanctioning our bodies and is effectively regarded in Mexican circles. He holds a win over pale former two-division titlist Luis Concepcion (TKO 8).
THE FUTURE: Constructing his resume and gaining expertise in Mexico earlier than he seems to be to get onto the world scene.
Alexandro Santiago (proper) punches Nonito Donaire throughout their WBC bantamweight title bout at T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas. Picture by Al Bello/Getty Pictures
No. 9 – SEIYA TSUTSUMI
RECORD: 11-0-2 (8 KOs)
THE PAST: He gained his first battle fights earlier than a pair of attracts with then unbeaten Kazuki Nakajima (D 8) and Daigo Higa (D 10). In his subsequent bout he gained the Japanese title in opposition to Kyosuke Sawada (TKO 8). He solidified his standing with 4 defenses. The final one was notably troublesome, and although he did beat Kazuki Anaguchi (UD 10), his opponent later misplaced his life by accidents suffered in that bout. After time away Tsutsumi has returned with a non-title win.
THE FUTURE: He’ll get his first world title alternative in opposition to Takuma Inoue on October 13.
No. 10 – DAIGO HIGA
RECORD: 21-2-1 (19 KOs)
THE PAST: The Japanese fighter burst on to the scene beating his first 12 opponents, all inside the space, claiming WBC regional and OPBF titles at flyweight. At 21, he landed a battle with Juan Hernandez for the WBC title and bludgeoned him into defeat in six rounds. He made two defenses and appeared primed for a protracted reign. Nevertheless, a fast turnaround and weight points ended with him struggling an upset by the hands of Cristofer Rosales (TKO 9). He didn’t battle for 22 months and returned at bantamweight. In his second bout again he drew with Tsutsumi after which dropped a lopsided determination to Nishida (UD 12). He took extra break day, and has since returned with 4 wins.
THE FUTURE: He’ll problem WBO boss Takei in what seems to be like an thrilling matching.
On the Cusp: Vincent Astrolabio, Paul Butler, Tenshin Nasukawa, Saul Sanchez and Antonio Vargas.
YOU MAY HAVE MISSED:
The Ring Rankings Reviewed 2024: Pound for Pound – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Rankings Reviewed 2024: Strawweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Rankings Reviewed 2024: Junior flyweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Rankings Reviewed 2024: Flyweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Rankings Reviewed 2024: Junior bantamweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
Questions and/or feedback will be despatched to Anson at [email protected].
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