Gervonta Davis (left) unloads an uppercut on Hector Garcia – Picture by Showtime/Amanda Wescott
The Ring first launched its divisional rankings in 1925. Nearly a century later, it’s no exaggeration to assert that these impartial 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 determination on who must be ranked the place is set democratically each week. It sounds straightforward, however this may be an arduous and time-consuming course of.
I shall be going by way of every division in reverse order and work my manner up from strawweight to heavyweight. I’ll then take a look at every rated fighter’s respective achievements and gaze into my crystal ball to see what might lay forward.
Subsequent up is light-weight (135-pounds), which is likely one of the strongest divisions in boxing, stacked with stars and with a wonderful supporting solid. As at all times, please benefit from the debate and respect different folks’s opinions.
No. 1 – GERVONTA DAVIS
RECORD: 30-0 (28 KOs)
THE PAST: Davis dominated his opposition on the best way up earlier than impressively ripping the IBF 130-pound title from Jose Pedraza (TKO 7). Since then, his star has risen and he is likely one of the hottest points of interest in America, commonly promoting out arenas throughout the nation. The 29-year-old power-punching southpaw owns a highlight-reel knockout over Leo Santa Cruz (KO 6) and confirmed that his vaunted energy carries up in weight by approaching robust to cease the a lot bigger future WBC welterweight titlist Mario Barrios (TKO 11) at 140 kilos. “Tank” additionally received when not at his greatest in opposition to Isaac Cruz (UD 12), took care of Rolando Romero (TKO 6), WBA 130-pound titlist Hector Luis Garcia (TKO 9), shone in opposition to Ryan Garcia (KO 7) and, most just lately, stopped Frank Martin (KO 8).
THE FUTURE: He’s more likely to return in November although who shall be within the reverse nook isn’t referred to as but.
Goal acquired, Goal down. 🚫👻 #TankMartin #TheOne pic.twitter.com/jVfcTnu9C9
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) June 18, 2024
No. 2 – VASILIY LOMACHENKO
RECORD: 18-3 (12 KOs)
THE PAST: The supremely gifted Ukrainian southpaw was one of the crucial embellished amateurs ever, claiming Olympic gold medals at London 2012 and Rio 2016. An early setback to Orlando Salido (SD 12), in his second skilled outing, was adopted by a speedy ascent. Loma claimed the vacant WBO featherweight title on the expense of Gary Russell Jr. (MD 12) and he has received additional titles at 130 and 135. He owns strong victories over Roman Martinez (KO 5), Nicholas Walters (RTD 7), Guillermo Rigondeaux (RTD 6) and Jorge Linares (TKO 10). He misplaced to Teofimo Lopez (UD 12) however has bounced again with complete wins over Masayoshi Nakatani (TKO 9) and Richard Commey (UD 12). Within the eyes of most he did sufficient to beat Devin Haney (UD 12) however the three folks whose opinion mattered most noticed the American because the winner. The 36-year-old returned and received the vacant IBF title with a dominant show in opposition to George Kambosos Jr. (TKO 11) in Australia.
THE FUTURE: He had been in talks to face Davis however finally determined in opposition to it and can sit out the remainder of the yr.
No. 3 – WILLIAM ZEPEDA
RECORD: 31-0 (27 KOs)
THE PAST: The hard-hitting Mexican southpaw punching machine received his first 20 fights in Mexico earlier than signing with Golden Boy Promotions. Since then, the 28-year-old has continued to impress, notably bludgeoning beforehand unbeaten Hector Tanajara (RTD 6) into defeat. He then gained high quality rounds with seasoned veteran Rene Alvarado (UD 10), additional legitimized himself scoring a dominant win over former 130-pound titlist Joseph Diaz (UD 12), in addition to Mercito Gesta (KO 6), Maxi Hughes (RTD 4) and, most just lately, Giovanni Cabrera (KO 3).
THE FUTURE: Tabbed to face Stevenson if the precociously proficient American beats Joe Cordina.
Shakur Stevenson (left) and Shuichiro Yoshino (proper) trade punches throughout their light-weight struggle at Prudential Middle on April 08, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey – Picture by Mikey Williams/Prime Rank Inc by way of Getty Photos
No. 4 – SHAKUR STEVENSON
RECORD: 22-0 (10 KOs)
THE PAST: The 2016 Olympic silver medalist tailored to the skilled recreation and his star rapidly ascended. Stevenson shut down the beforehand unbeaten Joet Gonzalez (UD 12) to assert the vacant WBO featherweight title. He instantly moved as much as 130 kilos and was awarded The Ring Efficiency of the Yr for dominating and stopping WBO titlist Jamel Herring (TKO 10). He added The Ring championship and WBC title by outclassing the beforehand unbeaten Oscar Valdez (UD 12). He missed weight in opposition to Robson Conceicao (UD 12) and misplaced his titles on the scales. The 27-year-old southpaw elected to move to 135 kilos the place he was punch-perfect in opposition to Shuichiro Yoshino (TKO 6). Nevertheless, he didn’t impress when he received the WBC title in opposition to Edwin De Los Santos (UD 12) and defended it in opposition to Artem Harutyunyan (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: He’ll embark on the following chapter of his profession underneath the Matchroom banner when he defends his WBC belt in opposition to former IBF junior light-weight titlist Joe Cordina in Riyadh on October 12.
Simply met with my brother @ShakurStevenson. I’ve given him the nickname Shakur “Outlaw” Stevenson…
I’m ready for somebody to reply that I’m unhealthy for boxing 🤷🏻♂️🥊 pic.twitter.com/GzRhRiAwYA— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) August 12, 2024
No. 5 – DENYS BERINCHYK
RECORD: 19-0 (9 KOs)
THE PAST: Berinchyk was part of the 2012 Ukrainian boxing dream staff that additionally featured Oleksandr Usyk, Oleksandr Gvozdyk and Vasiliy Lomachenko. Berinchyk received silver after which turned skilled. Nevertheless, whereas his illustrious countrymen rapidly gained acclaim he was pressured to take a slower path. He picked up the European title on the undercard of Usyk-Joshua by beating Yvan Mendy (UD 12) and efficiently defended it in opposition to Anthony Yigit (UD 12). The 36-year-old, who has actively fought for Ukraine of their ongoing struggle in opposition to Russia, lastly obtained his huge probability and went to San Diego the place he defeated Emanuel Navarrete (UD 12) for the vacant WBO title in Could.
THE FUTURE: Presently on the frontline serving to his nation. Whether or not he fights once more this yr is up within the air.
No. 6 – RAYMOND MURATALLA
RECORD: 21-0 (16 KOs)
THE PAST: Muratalla turned skilled in September 2016. After successful his first three fights in Mexico, the California native moved by way of the ranks. He holds wins over Jeremy Hill (KO 3), Jair Valtierra (UD 8), and Humberto Galindo (KO 9). He stepped up in opposition to Jeremiah Nakathila and confirmed he was prepared for the chance stopping the Namibian in two rounds. He took Diego Torres’ unbeaten document by eighth-round stoppage and has since adopted up with wins over Xolisani Ndongeni (UD 10) and tough former junior light-weight titlist Tevin Farmer (UD 10).
THE FUTURE: He has mentioned he’d wish to face Berinchyk, which may very well be subsequent.
Keyshawn Davis (proper) lands a cross on Jose Pedraza – Picture by Mikey Williams-Prime Rank
No. 7 – KEYSHAWN DAVIS
RECORD: 11-0 (7 KOs)
THE PAST: Davis was a embellished beginner claiming silver on the 2019 Pan-Am video games, World Championships and 2020 Olympics shedding within the last to Andy Cruz every time. He turned skilled in February 2021. Since then he has moved rapidly and caught the attention with wins over Anthony Yigit (TKO 9), former two-division titleholder Jose Pedraza (TKO 6) and, most just lately, Miguel Madueño (UD 10).
THE FUTURE: He’ll headline at residence in opposition to once-beaten Gustavo Lemos on November 8.
No. 8 – FRANK MARTIN
RECORD: 18-1 (12 KOs)
THE PAST: He received his first 11 fights and began working with then-unified welterweight titlist Errol Spence Jr. and his coach Derrick James. The leg-up has benefited Martin, who has gone from power to power, taking the unbeaten document of Jerry Perez (KO 7), stopping one-time contender Romero Duno (TKO 4) and Jackson Marinez (TKO 10). He was vastly spectacular dominating Michel Rivera (UD 12) in a matchup of unbeaten prospects. The 29-year-old southpaw had a tougher time than anticipated and needed to come on late to edge out Artem Harutyunyan (UD 12). He was the WBC necessary however finally walked away from a struggle with Stevenson and ended up dealing with WBA ruler Davis (KO by 8) in an in-house PBC struggle in June.
THE FUTURE: Nonetheless licking his wounds from the Davis loss however may look to return late this yr or early subsequent yr.
No. 9 – MARK CHAMBERLAIN
RECORD: 16-0 (12 KOs)
THE PAST: Chamberlain turned skilled in 2018 with Frank Warren’s Queensberry and moved by way of the ranks. He notably impressed Turki Alalshikh, who has mentioned Chamberlain is his favourite fighter. This yr, the power-puncher has made the a lot of the alternatives afforded to him scoring early stoppage wins over Gavin Gwynne (TKO 4) and Joshua Wahab (TKO 1).
THE FUTURE: The Brit will seem on the large Riyadh Season present at Wembley in opposition to Josh Padley on September 21.
Battle prepared 👊 @markyboy118 #RiyadhSeasonCard: Wembley Version #JoshuaDubois | Sep 21 | Dwell on https://t.co/FoiaUucI53 | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/RAsTeG14XX
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) September 3, 2024
No. 10 – ANDY CRUZ
RECORD: 4-0 (2 KOs)
THE PAST: The Cuban was among the best amateurs in latest historical past. He claimed gold on the 2020 Olympics, received gold on the 2017, 2019 and 2021 World Championships in addition to a slew of different gold medals at numerous tournaments. He holds a 4-0 edge over Davis from their time within the unpaid ranks. The 29-year-old determined to make the transition and jumped to the professionals in July 2023. Since then, he has moved rapidly and most just lately caught the attention stopping seasoned Antonio Moran (TKO 7) in his most up-to-date outing.
THE FUTURE: May return in December.
On the Cusp: Zaur Abdullaev, Edwin De Los Santos, George Kambosos Jr., Gustavo Lemos and Sam Noakes.
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)
The Ring Scores Reviewed 2024: Junior featherweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Scores Reviewed 2024: Featherweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Scores Reviewed 2024: Junior light-weight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
Questions and/or feedback may be despatched to Anson at [email protected].
Comply with @AnsonWainwright
