Teofimo Lopez abdicated his WBO 140-pound title after defeating Josh Taylor on June 10, however the younger gun nonetheless holds The Ring championship. (Photograph by Mikey Williams/High Rank Inc through Getty Pictures)
The Ring first launched its divisional scores in 1925. Nearly a century later, it’s no exaggeration to assert that these unbiased rankings are essentially the most revered and talked-about in world boxing.
The Ring Rankings Panel is made up of a dozen specialists from all over the world. Opinions are shared, debate takes place, and the ultimate determination on who must be rated is set democratically each week. It sounds straightforward, however this may be an arduous and time-consuming course of.
I will likely be going via every division in reverse order and work my method up from strawweight to heavyweight. I’ll then take a look at every ranked fighter’s respective achievements and gaze into my crystal ball to see what could lay forward.
Subsequent up is junior welterweight (140 kilos), which is among the strongest divisions top-to-bottom in boxing and has a number of fighters jostling for place outdoors the highest 10.
As at all times, please benefit from the debate and respect different individuals’s opinions.
CHAMPION: TEOFIMO LOPEZ
RECORD: 21-1 (13 KOs)
THE PAST: Lopez represented Honduras on the 2016 Olympics. Since turning skilled, the massive puncher went about his enterprise in devastating vogue, scoring highlight-reel knockouts towards Mason Menard (KO 1), Diego Magdaleno (KO 7) and Edis Tatli (KO 5). After a studying expertise win over Masayoshi Nakatani (UD 12), Lopez was again to his good finest, demolishing IBF titleholder Richard Commey (TKO 2). The 27-year-old grew to become undisputed light-weight king when he edged previous Vasiliy Lomachenko (UD 12). An often-postponed bout and outside-the-ring drama meant Lopez didn’t face IBF obligatory George Kambosos for 13 months. And when he did, he shockingly dropped a 12-round break up determination. Lopez promptly moved as much as 140 kilos and appeared lower than stellar, successful two fights earlier than returning to his finest as he impressively outboxed Josh Taylor (UD 12) to develop into Ring and WBO titlist. Nevertheless, has gone via the motions towards Jamaine Ortiz (UD 12) and Steve Claggett (UD 12) in subsequent title defenses.
THE FUTURE: Balked at a September 27 date and can now sit for the remainder of the yr. Regardless that he’s staying sharp within the gymnasium with Canelo. May stay at 140 but additionally more likely to head to 147 kilos within the not too distant future and doubtlessly face WBO ruler Brian Norman Jr.
Escuela de Boxeo 🏆🙏 @Canelo #Boxing #Champions #NoBoxingNoLife pic.twitter.com/3v0wrdFs5u
— Teofimo Lopez (@TeofimoLopez) August 31, 2024
No. 1 – DEVIN HANEY
RECORD: 31-0 (15 KOs)
THE PAST: Haney turned skilled at 17 in Mexico. This tremendous expertise has scored wins over Mason Menard (RTD 9), Juan Carlos Burgos (UD 10) and Antonio Moran (KO 7). After being upgraded to full WBC titleholder, following his dominant win over Zaur Abdullaev (RTD 4), he defended his title, notably beating former three-division titlist Jorge Linares (UD 12) and former 130-pound titlist Joseph Diaz Jr. (UD 12). The 25-year-old scored a dominant win over Ring champion and IBF/WBA/WBO titleholder George Kambosos Jr. (UD 12) to develop into undisputed champion and repeated the win in a rematch. Haney then edged previous Vasiliy Lomachenko (UD 12) in controversial vogue. That result in him heading to junior welterweight the place he dominated Regis Prograis (UD 12) to assert the WBC title. He misplaced to an obese Ryan Garcia however noticed the consequence amended to a no-contest when Garcia examined optimistic for Ostarine.
THE FUTURE: Taking break day after the Garcia debacle. Hasn’t mentioned a lot a couple of doable return although has teased us with a possible struggle with Liam Paro in Australia. More likely to head to welterweight inside a few fights, and will rematch Garcia subsequent yr.
Devin Haney’s jab was one level all through his problem to now-former WBC 140-pound beltholder Regis Prograis. (Photograph by Ezra Shaw/Getty Pictures)
No. 2 – JOSE RAMIREZ
RECORD: 29-1 (18 KOs)
THE PAST: The 2012 U.S Olympian moved steadily within the professional ranks earlier than hitting world degree. Ramirez received the vacant WBC title towards Amir Imam (UD 12) and defended his title towards Antonio Orozco (UD 12) and Jose Zepeda (MD 12) earlier than unifying with WBO titlist Maurice Hooker (TKO 6). He then turned again the difficult problem of Viktor Postol (MD 12). The 32-year-old misplaced his titles when he confronted fellow unified champion Josh Taylor (UD 12) once they contested the undisputed championship. Has rebounded to beat former two-division beltholder Jose Pedraza (UD 12), former light-weight titlist Richard Commey (KO 11) and snapped a 13-month spell of inactivity beating former two-division titleholder Rances Barthelemy (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: He has lengthy been linked with a struggle with Arnold Barboza, however as of at present that struggle doesn’t have a venue or date.
No. 3 – LIAM PARO
RECORD: 25-0 (15 KOs)
THE PAST: Paro turned skilled in 2016. He moved via the ranks initially successful the Australian nationwide title after which varied sanctioning physique regional titles. He beat the likes of Steve Gago (UD 10), beforehand unbeaten fighters comparable to Yomar Alamo (SD 10) and Brock Jarvis (KO 1). He stepped up by beating Montana Love (KO 6). Nevertheless, the 28-year-old southpaw brought on one of many upsets of the yr by going to Puerto Rico and unseating the fearsome IBF titlist Subriel Matias (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: His reward for besting Matias in Puerto Rico seems more likely to be a homecoming of his personal, probably once more Haney, when he defends his title in December.
The Champ 👑 @ParoLiam
🤝 @nthqldcowboys pic.twitter.com/EQPb7SoeRy
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) August 29, 2024
No. 4 – JACK CATTERALL
RECORD: 29-1 (13 KOs)
THE PAST: After turning skilled, he discovered on the job and scored a number of spectacular wins over the likes of Tom Stalker (TKO 8) and Joe Hughes (UD 12), and moved on to win the British title towards Tyrone Nurse (UD 12). Nevertheless, regardless of staying unbeaten his profession appeared to have stalled. He was the WBO No. 1 ranked contender and at last acquired his huge probability when he met then Ring/ undisputed champion Josh Taylor. Catterall fought the struggle of his life, dropping Taylor earlier than holding off the defending champion’s late cost. Most believed he had performed sufficient, however he misplaced a extremely contentious 12-round break up determination. When the rematch by no means got here to move, the 31-year-old craftsman returned and beat Darragh Foley (UD 10) and wily veteran former three-weight titleholder Jorge Linares (UD 12). Lastly acquired the Taylor rematch and went his method by 12-round unanimous determination.
THE FUTURE: He’ll face former titleholder Regis Prograis in Manchester on October 26.
No. 5 – ALBERTO PUELLO
RECORD: 23-0 (10 KOs)
THE PAST: Puello labored his method up via the ranks in his native Dominican Republic and holds wins over skilled campaigner Patrick Lopez (TKO 7), beforehand unbeaten Jonathan Alonso (UD 12) and big-punching Ve Shawn Owens (UD 10). When Josh Taylor was pressured to vacate the WBA title, Puello was matched with Batyr Akhmedov to fill the emptiness in June 2021. The now 30-year-old used his difficult southpaw expertise to edge previous Akhmedov by break up determination. He examined optimistic for clomiphene and was stripped of his title. He returned late final yr after which edged previous Gary Antuanne Russell (SD 12) to choose up the WBC Interim title.
THE FUTURE: Puello will face WBC obligatory challenger Sandor Martin within the fall on a PBC present.
No. 6 – SUBRIEL MATIAS
RECORD: 20-2 (20 KOs)
THE PAST: Matias turned skilled in 2015. He received his first 13 all inside the space and stopped unbeaten Maxim Dadashev in 11-rounds. Tragically the Russian handed away after the struggle. That will have affected Matias, who was surprisingly listless towards Petros Ananyan and misplaced a detailed 10-round unanimous determination. The 32-year-old has bounced again to take the unbeaten information of Malik Hawkins (RTD 6), Batyrzhan Jukembayev (RTD 8) and stopped Ananyan (RTD 9) in a rematch. Th heavy-handed Puerto Rican wrecking ball bludgeoned beforehand unbeaten Jeremias Ponce (RTD 5) to assert the vacant IBF title and made one profitable protection towards Shohjahon Ergashev (RTD 6) earlier than surprisingly shedding his title in a homecoming protection towards Liam Paro (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: Nothing has been talked about however hopefully he can look to return earlier than the top of the yr and get again within the title image.
Jack Catterall had the look of a top-five junior welterweight vs. Josh Taylor, who didn’t appear like an elite boxer. Photograph by Lawrence Lustig
No. 7 – JOSH TAYLOR
RECORD: 19-2 (13 KOs)
THE PAST: Taylor was a adorned newbie earlier than turning skilled in 2015. He claimed wins over former world titleholders Miguel Vazquez (KO 9) and Viktor Postol (UD 12) earlier than coming into the World Boxing Tremendous Sequence. In a terrific run, the proficient Scotsman beat the beforehand undefeated Ryan Martin (TKO 7), wrenched the IBF title from Ivan Baranchyk (UD 12) and unified towards WBA beltholder Regis Prograis (MD 12). The latter victory noticed the 33-year-old southpaw declare the Ring championship. “The Tartan Twister” went on to develop into undisputed 140-pound champion by beating WBC and WBO titlist Jose Ramirez (UD 12). Taylor struggled with Jack Catterall earlier than being awarded a extremely controversial 12-round break up determination. Regarded like he’d face Catterall in a rematch earlier than selecting Teofimo Lopez, who outboxed him to win a 12-round unanimous determination. He put up a spirited effort shedding to Catterall (UD 12) in a rematch.
THE FUTURE: His profession has fallen off a cliff in current occasions and must get again within the win column, whether or not that be at 140 or a long-talked about transfer to 147 kilos.
No. 8 – REGIS PROGRAIS
RECORD: 29-2 (24 KOs)
THE PAST: The southpaw boxer-puncher earned a status with some spectacular performances on ShoBox towards Amos Cowart (UD 8), Abel Ramos (RTD 8) and Joel Diaz Jr. (TKO 2). Constructed on these wins by stopping former unified 140-pound titleholder Julius Indongo (TKO 2) and dominating former light-weight titleholder Terry Flanagan (UD 12). Received the WBA title by taking aside Kiryl Relikh (TKO 6). He misplaced for the primary time in an action-packed encounter with Taylor. The 35-year-old outdated bounced again with three wins and stopped powerful Mexican Jose Zepeda (TKO 11) to win the vacant WBC title. Has defended it in a homecoming although wasn’t spectacular towards Danielito Zorrilla (SD 12). He misplaced his title when he was dropped and dominated by Haney (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: Prograis will face Catterall in Manchester, England on October 26 in a struggle he can ill-afford to lose if he has future title aspirations.
Again to the fundamentals
October twenty sixth
Manchester,UK 🇬🇧#rougarou#standonbusiness pic.twitter.com/GbgxJAFm10— Rougarou (@RPrograis) September 5, 2024
No. 9 – ANDY HIRAOKA
RECORD: 24-0 (19 KOs)
THE PAST: Hiraoka was born in Japan to a Japanese mom and Ghanaian father. He wasn’t a famous newbie however had boxed from the age of 4. He turned skilled at 17 and after six fights hung out honing his craft in Las Vegas beneath the watchful eye of Roger Mayweather and Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. After returning to Japan the 28-year-old has landed the vacant nationwide title by stopping Jin Sasaki (TKO 11) in October 2021, which has aged properly and, most just lately, picked up the WBA interim title by impressing towards veteran warhorse Ismael Barroso (TKO 9).
THE FUTURE: He has talked about he’d prefer to face Jose Valenzuela, nonetheless, the American can also be within the operating to face Gervonta Davis. Both method, I’d count on Ohashi Promotions to attempt to important his momentum and place him on the undercard of Naoya Inoue’s subsequent struggle on December 24.
No. 10 – RICHARDSON HITCHINS
RECORD: 18-0 (7 KOs)
THE PAST: Hitchins represented his ancestral residence of Haiti on the 2016 shedding to Gary Antuanne Russell within the Spherical of 16. He signed skilled types with Mayweather Promotions earlier than switching later to Matchroom in late 2022. Since then, he has impressively overwhelmed Yomar Alomar (RTD 6), shut out then-unbeaten John Bauza (UD 10) and bested former title challenger Jose Zepeda (UD 12). Nevertheless, final day out he struggled with the aggressive Argentine fighter Gustavo Lemos (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: Because the IBF obligatory, he’s more likely to get a shot at Paro both subsequent or the primary half of 2025.
On the Cusp: Lindolfo Delgado, Sandor Martin, Gary Russell Jr., Dalton Smith and Jose Valenzuela.
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 Rings Rankings Reviewed 2024: Junior bantamweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Rankings Reviewed 2024: Bantamweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Rankings Reviewed 2024: Junior featherweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Rings Rankings Reviewed 2024: Featherweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Rings Rankings Reviewed 2024: Junior light-weight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Rings Rankings Reviewed 2024: Light-weight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
Questions and/or feedback might be despatched to Anson at [email protected].
Comply with @AnsonWainwright
