Naoya Inoue (proper) punches round Tapales’ excessive guard. Picture by Naoki Fukuda
The Ring first launched its divisional rankings in 1925. Nearly a century later, it’s no exaggeration to assert that these unbiased rankings are probably the most revered and talked-about in world boxing.
The Ring Scores Panel is made up of a dozen consultants from around the globe. Opinions are shared, debate takes place, and the ultimate choice on who needs to be ranked the place 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 means 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 could lay forward.
Subsequent up is junior featherweight (122 kilos), which has a really dominant Ring champion in Naoya Inoue.
As all the time, please benefit from the debate and respect different folks’s opinions.
CHAMPION – NAOYA INOUE
RECORD: 27-0 (24 KOs)
THE PAST: Inoue destroyed each fighter they positioned earlier than him en path to claiming world titles at 108, 115, 118 and 122 kilos. The massive-punching Japanese “Monster” has lived as much as his moniker, demolishing the likes of Omar Narvaez (KO 2), Jamie McDonnell (TKO 1), Juan Carlos Payano (KO 1) and Emmanuel Rodriguez (KO 2). Nevertheless, it’s his triumphs over four-weight world champion Nonito Donaire that supplied Inoue with appreciable acclaim. He edged Donaire (UD 12) right away basic that was later named 2019 Struggle of the Yr by The Ring, and stopped him within the second spherical of their rematch. The 31-year-old grew to become the undisputed bantamweight champion when he dominated Paul Butler, stopping the Brit in 11 one-sided rounds. With nothing left to overcome at 118, Inoue determined to maneuver up in weight and seemed simply as spectacular as ever, bludgeoning Stephen Fulton (TKO 8), the consensus No. 1-rated junior featherweight, so as to add the WBC and WBO 122-pound titles to his rising checklist of accolades. He claimed the vacant Ring junior featherweight championship and the IBF/WBA titles in opposition to Marlon Tapales (KO 10) to develop into undisputed champion. Inoue received off the ground for the primary time in his profession to bludgeon former two-weight world champion Luis Nery (TKO 6) in entrance of an enormous crowd of 40,000+ in his final day out.
THE FUTURE: Inoue will face TJ Doheny on the Ariake Area, Tokyo, Japan on September 3.
次戦発表
9月3日(火)有明アリーナ
世界スーパーバンタム級4団体王座防衛戦
井上尚弥vsTJドヘニー#InoueDoheny#Lemino pic.twitter.com/FWms5qg0Cx— 井上尚弥 Naoya Inoue (@naoyainoue_410) July 16, 2024
No. 1 – STEPHEN FULTON
RECORD: 21-1 (8 KOs)
THE PAST: Fulton labored his means into title competition by besting former titleholder Paulus Ambunda (UD 12). He additionally stopped beforehand unbeaten Mexican Isaac Avelar (KO 6) and used his abilities to tame one other unbeaten opponent in Arnold Khegai (UD 12). The sleek boxing abilities of the Philadelphia native helped him beat Angelo Leo (UD 12) to assert the WBO title, and he added the WBC title by edging Brandon Figueroa (MD 12) in a unification bout. He sparkled when he defended his titles in opposition to former titlist Daniel Roman (UD 12). Nevertheless, the 30-year-old American misplaced his unbeaten file and titles to Inoue (TKO 8).
THE FUTURE: Fulton will return for the primary time since shedding to Inoue 14 months in the past, when he steps as much as featherweight to face Carlos Castro on the undercard of Canelo-Edgar Berlanga on September 14.
No. 2 – MARLON TAPALES
RECORD: 38-4 (20 KOs)
THE PAST: Tapales labored his means up via the ranks within the Philippines earlier than narrowly shedding to David Sanchez (MD 12) in Mexico. He rebounded to upset unbeaten Shohei Omari (TKO 2) in a WBO bantamweight title eliminator in Japan. He headed to Thailand and twice received off the canvas to cease Pungluang Sor Singyu (TKO 11) to choose up the WBO 118-pound title. In his first protection, Tapales went again to Japan to face Omari in a rematch. Though he missed weight and was stripped of his title, he was capable of cease Omari within the eleventh spherical. Over a yr of inactivity adopted, however Tapales returned with two wins earlier than shedding to Ryosuke Iwasa (TKO 11) in an IBF 122-pound title eliminator. He bounced again with three wins together with a formidable stoppage over Hiroaki Teshigawara (TKO 2) in an IBF eliminator. He scored an upset over IBF/WBA titlist Murodjon Akhmadaliev by successful a 12-round break up choice however misplaced his belts to Inoue (KO 10). He has returned with a straightforward win over Nattapong Jankaew (KO 1).
THE FUTURE: Tapales will face unheralded Saurabh Kumar in Cambodia in a bid to remain energetic on September 7.
Murodjon Akhmadaliev (left) takes it to Ronny Rios throughout their IBF/WBA 122-pound title struggle at Tech Port Area, in San Antonio, Texas – Picture by Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing
No. 3 – MURODJON AKHMADALIEV
RECORD: 12-1 (9 KOs)
THE PAST: Akhmadaliev was a standout beginner, who received bronze on the 2016 Olympics earlier than seamlessly transitioning into the professionals. The dynamic Uzbekistan southpaw edged the extra skilled Daniel Roman (SD 12) in early 2020 to develop into the IBF/WBA 122-pound titleholder, in simply his eighth skilled struggle. The 29-year-old Uzbek made three profitable defenses together with a homecoming in opposition to former IBF titlist Ryosuke Iwasa (TKO 5) and a stoppage over Ronny Rios (TKO 12). Nevertheless, he misplaced his titles in controversial style to Tapales (SD 12) and has needed to attempt to work his means again up by defeating Kevin Gonzalez (TKO 8).
THE FUTURE: He would love a struggle with Ring champion Inoue, however that might not be subsequent and he may need to remain busy within the meantime.
No. 4 – SAM GOODMAN
RECORD: 19-0 (8 KOs)
THE PAST: Goodman labored his means via the home scene in Australia earlier than claiming regional belts, notably beating Richie Mepranum (TKO 6) and Juan Miguel Elorde (TKO 8). Nevertheless, the 25-year-old got here to the fore when he bested former titlist TJ Doheny (UD 10) and edged out beforehand unbeaten Ra’eese Aleem (SD 12) in an IBF title eliminator. He has since maintained his place with 4 wins over middling opposition.
THE FUTURE: He broke his left hand in opposition to beforehand unbeaten Chainoi Worawut final month and is recovering. He hopes it’s healed in time seal a deal to face Inoue if the Monster beats Doheny subsequent month, as he’s favored to do.
No. 5 – LUIS NERY
RECORD: 35-2 (27 KOs)
THE PAST: Nery moved via the bantamweight ranks and have become the WBC necessary challenger to Shinsuke Yamanaka. The Mexican puncher traveled to Japan and shocked the long-reigning champ through brutal fourth-round stoppage. Nevertheless, within the aftermath, Nery was stripped of The Ring championship he’d received for taking a banned substance (zilpaterol). The WBC continued to acknowledge Nery, however then stripped him for failing to make weight for the rematch. Very a lot the pariah, Nery defeated Yamanaka by second-round stoppage however acquired little in the best way of credit score. The now 29-year-old ultimately moved as much as declare the vacant WBC 122-pound title by defeating Aaron Alameda (UD 12), however misplaced it in his first protection to Brandon Figueroa (KO 7). Nery received 4 fights, together with Ring Struggle of The Yr in opposition to Azat Hovhannisyan (KO 11). He managed to drop Ring champion Inoue however was later stopped in six rounds.
THE FUTURE: Nonetheless deciding pondering his subsequent transfer which may see him head to 126 kilos looking for a 3rd world title in as many weight lessons.
No. 6 – LIAM DAVIES
RECORD: 16-0 (8 KOs)
THE PAST: The 28-year-old Brit has caught the attention successful British, European and WBC regional titles. He impressed scoring wins over Ionut Baluta (UD 12), blitzing Jason Cunningham (TKO 1) and, most just lately, Erick Robles (TKO 2). Davies has been on account of face Shabaz Masoud final month however pulled out via sickness.
THE FUTURE: More likely to rearrange the struggle with Masoud someday within the remaining quarter of the yr.
After his current sickness, @Liamdavies_2 can’t wait to get his palms on @ShabazMasoud 👀 pic.twitter.com/mXAKQuLA2K
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) July 12, 2024
No. 7 – TJ DOHENY
RECORD: 26-4 (20 KOs)
THE PAST: The Eire-born Australian resident turned skilled again in April 2012. Doheny received his first 12 and started a stretch of preventing in America. When his alternative got here up, he headed to Japan and upset Ryosuke Iwasa (UD 12) for the IBF title. After one protection he tried to unify with then WBA ruler Danny Roman however misplaced a 12-round majority choice. It seemed like Doheny had dropped into the gatekeeper function when he misplaced three of his subsequent 5 fights to Ionut Baluta (UD 8), Michael Conlan (UD 12) and Sam Goodman (UD 10). Nevertheless, the 37-year-old veteran is on a 3 struggle win streak, which has breathed new life into his profession, with upset wins over Kazuki Nakajima (TKO 4) and Japhethlee Llamido (TKO 1).
THE FUTURE: Doheny will face Inoue for The Ring 122-pound championship on September 3.
No. 8 – ALAN PICASSO
RECORD: 29-0-1 (16 KOs)
THE PAST: Picasso turned skilled at 16 in 2017. He took the requisite steps early in his profession and holds wins over Sabelo Ngebinyana (TKO 6) to assert a WBC regional title, Erick Ruiz (UD 10) on his American debut earlier this yr, and he adopted that by stopping Damien Vazquez (TKO 5) on the undercard of Canelo-Jaime Munguia. Most just lately, he bested skilled former world title challenger Azat Hovhannisyan (UD 12). The 23-year-old majored in neuroscience at college however is at present centered on his boxing profession.
THE FUTURE: Recent off a career-best win. It is going to be fascinating to see what his promoter Zanfer does subsequent with him.
Luis Nery (left) lands a punch on Azat Hovhannisyan (proper) at Fox Theatre on February 18, 2023 in Pomona, California – Picture by Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Golden Boy Promotions through Getty Photos
No. 9 – ELIJAH PIERCE
RECORD: 19-2 (16 KOs)
THE PAST: A lot of the tall southpaw puncher’s early profession wasn’t helped by preventing significantly larger than his pure weight, and that’s how he suffered defeats in opposition to Giovanni Cabrera (UD 10) and Sulaiman Segawa (MD 8). Nevertheless, after a change of administration he labored his means down in weight and is on a 10-fight win streak which incorporates a formidable factors win over Tramaine Williams (UD 10), a one-punch knockout over Mike Plania (KO 3) and, most just lately, stopped Arthur Villanueva (TKO 4).
THE FUTURE: The 27-year-old American will face Jose Sanmartin in Atlanta on Saturday.
No. 10 – RAMON CARDENAS
RECORD: 26-1 (14 KOs)
THE PAST: Cardenas turned skilled in 2015 as an adolescent. His profession has been one thing of a gradual burn. He received his first 12 fights earlier than being upset by Danny Flores (MD 10). Since then, the now 28-year-old San Antonio native has remained unbeaten in opposition to the likes of pale former IBF junior bantamweight titlist Rodrigo Guerrero (RTD 2), beforehand unbeaten Rafael Pedroza (KO 2) and this yr he has crushed Israel Rodriguez (RTD 6) and Jesus Ramirez (KO 9).
THE FUTURE: His final two wins have taken place on ProBox, so perhaps his subsequent struggle will likely be on that very same platform as he seems to maneuver in direction of a world title shot.
On the Cusp: Sebastian Hernandez, Dennis McCann, Bryan Mercado, Tito Sanchez and Toshiki Shimomachi.
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)
The Ring Scores Reviewed 2024: Junior bantamweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Scores Reviewed 2024: Bantamweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
Questions and/or feedback will be despatched to Anson at [email protected].
Observe @AnsonWainwright
