The Ring Rankings Reviewed 2024: Heavyweight

Usyk overcame many disadvantages (together with dimension) to beat Joshua once more.

The Ring first launched its divisional rankings in 1925. Virtually a century later, it’s no exaggeration to say that these impartial rankings are essentially 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, debate takes place, and the ultimate choice on who must be rated the place is determined democratically each week. It sounds straightforward, however this may be an arduous and time-consuming course of.

I can be going via every division in reverse order and work my approach up from strawweight to heavyweight. I’ll then have a look at every ranked fighter’s respective achievements and gaze into my crystal ball to see what could lay forward.

Subsequent up is heavyweight, which has caught the eye of the boxing world with a number of large fights over the previous 12 months, none extra in order that the one between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury which lived as much as its excessive expectations and topped an undisputed king.

As all the time, please benefit from the debate and respect different folks’s opinions.

CHAMPION – OLEKSANDR USYK

RECORD: 22-0 (14 KOs)

THE PAST: Usyk, who received gold on the 2012 Olympics, cleaned out the cruiserweight division, beating Krzysztof Glowacki (UD 12), Marco Huck (TKO 10), Mairis Briedis (MD 12), Murat Gassiev (UD 12) and Tony Bellew (TKO 8), all of their residence international locations. The style during which he outboxed the harmful Gassiev to grow to be undisputed champion was significantly eye-catching. After shifting as much as heavyweight, Usyk’s progress was hampered by accidents and the pandemic. He scored a routine win over late substitute Chazz Witherspoon (RTD 7) and outpointed perennial challenger Derek Chisora (UD 12). The proud Ukrainian reminded everybody simply how particular he’s when he bested Anthony Joshua to select up the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles (UD 12) and repeated the trick (SD 12) whereas including the vacant Ring title. He then stopped Daniel Dubois (KO 9) and, most lately, grew to become undisputed heavyweight champion by beating WBC titlist Tyson Fury (SD 12).

THE FUTURE: Usyk will rematch Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 21.

No. 1 – TYSON FURY

RECORD: 34-1-1 (24 KOs)

THE PAST: Fury went the standard route, successful British, Commonwealth and European titles. He didn’t all the time impress and needed to get off the canvas alongside the way in which. Nevertheless, he remained unbeaten in 24 fights however was an enormous underdog when he shocked Wladimir Klitschko (UD 12) to grow to be Ring champion and IBF/WBA/WBO titlist in November 2015. His life unraveled exterior the ring and he didn’t battle for 2 and a half years. To his credit score, he turned his life round and whipped himself into form shedding tens of kilos, and mounted a comeback. “The Gypsy King” got here near unseating WBC titlist Deontay Wilder (D 12). Of their rematch, nonetheless, Fury impressively stopped the American in seven rounds to say the vacant Ring championship and the WBC belt. They fought a rubber match and Fury once more confirmed his excellent recuperative powers, twice getting off the ground to cease Wilder (KO 11). He marked time towards Dillian Whyte (TKO 6) and Derek Chisora (TKO 10) in large occasions within the U.Okay. earlier than heading to Saudi Arabia to face former UFC star Francis Ngannou in a boxing match. Nevertheless, the 36-year-old needed to get off the canvas and struggled to edge residence through 10-round cut up choice. Fury then misplaced a titanic battle with Ring champion. Oleksandr Usyk (UD 12) in Could.

THE FUTURE: He’ll once more meet Usyk in Riyadh on December 21.

No. 2 – DANIEL DUBOIS

RECORD: 22-2 (21 KOs)

THE PAST: Dubois was a very good beginner successful two schoolboy titles and junior ABA titles earlier than including a senior ABA title. He competed on the GB elite crew and fought at European junior championships and at multi-nations earlier than turning skilled at 19. Solely one in all his first eight opponents made it so far as 5 rounds. He gained skilled towards perennial survivor Kevin Johnson (PTS 10). The facility-puncher received British and Commonwealth titles earlier than coming unstuck towards Joe Joyce (KO 10) throughout which he suffered a fractured eye socket. He recovered with 4 wins together with a near-disaster when he was down 3 times within the first spherical earlier than stopping Kevin Lerena (TKO 3). He misplaced to Ring champion and IBF/WBA/WBO titlist Oleksandr Usyk (KO 9) in what proved to be a pivotal second in his profession. He then stopped the a lot larger Jarrell Miller, upset Filip Hrgovic (TKO 8) for the IBF Interim title and, most lately, shocked many by beating Anthony Joshua (KO 5) to retain his IBF belt.

THE FUTURE: He might return on a Riyadh Season card in February.

Joseph Parker lands a left jab to the physique of Deontay Wilder throughout a heavyweight battle on the Day of Reckoning occasion at Kingdom Area on December 23, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photograph by Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing through Getty Pictures).

No. 3 – JOSEPH PARKER

RECORD: 35-3 (23 KOs)

THE PAST: The previous beginner standout from New Zealand claimed the vacant WBO title on the expense of Andy Ruiz Jr. (MD 12) and made two defenses earlier than shedding a unification with Anthony Joshua (UD 12). He misplaced a razor-thin choice to Dillian Whyte however received his subsequent six fights, which included a pair of wins over perennial contender Chisora (SD 12/ UD 12). The 32-year-old misplaced a bodily grueling battle towards Joe Joyce (KO 11) however has rebounded strongly, notably scoring spectacular wins over Deontay Wilder (UD 12) and Zhilei Zhang (MD 12).

THE FUTURE: He’s ready to listen to information of what’s subsequent having impressed with large wins in Saudi Arabia.

No. 4 – ZHILEI ZHANG

RECORD: 27-2-1 (22 KOs)

THE PAST: Zhang captured silver for China on the 2008 Olympics and misplaced narrowly to eventual gold medal winner Anthony Joshua at London 2012. “Large Bang” turned skilled in 2014. His progress was sluggish till he stepped up and confronted unbeaten Filip Hrgovic, shedding a contentious 12-round unanimous choice. Nevertheless, the 41-year-old Chinese language southpaw scored two wins over streaking Joe Joyce (TKO 6/ KO 3). He dropped Joseph Parker twice however was outhustled for lengthy intervals of time en path to shedding a 12-round majority choice, however he later rebounded to knockout Deontay Wilder (TKO 5).

THE FUTURE: Additionally in a holding sample ready on information of what’s subsequent.

No. 5 – AGIT KABAYEL

RECORD: 25-0 (17 KOs)

THE PAST: Kabayel was knowledgeable kickboxer earlier than switching to boxing in 2011. He bested Herve Hubeaux (UD 12) to say the European title in 2016 and went on to make three profitable defenses, notably beating perennial contender Derek Chisora (MD 12). Nevertheless, the 32-year-old’s profession stalled attributable to a persistent shoulder harm and the Covid pandemic. After just a few rust-shedding workouts he regained the European title in controversial vogue, getting off the canvas to cease Agron Smakici (TKO 3) in March. Since then, his profession has taken off, with dominant shows as an underdog towards Arslanbek Makhmudov (TKO 4) and Frank Sanchez (KO 7).

THE FUTURE: The IBF have ordered an eliminator between him and Martin Bakole. Might happen in early 2025.

No. 6 – MARTIN BAKOLE

RECORD: 21-1 (16 KOs)

THE PAST: Bakole, who’s the youthful brother of former WBC cruiserweight titlist IIunga Makabu, is from the Congo, and with minimal beginner expertise he left the nation searching for glory. Alongside the way in which he surprisingly discovered a brand new residence in Scotland after linking up with Billy Nelson. With 11 consecutive wins on his document he made an enormous leap in reverse and misplaced to Michael Hunter (TKO 10). His rebuild was a sluggish burn however he beat the likes of former heavyweight title challenger Mariusz Wach (TKO 8) and Kevin Johnson (TKO 5) neither of who’re often stopped inside the space. He additionally deservedly received the nod in France over Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka (MD 10). Nevertheless, it wasn’t till he took out Carlos Takam (TKO 4) and, most lately, Jared Anderson (KO5) in Saudi Arabia that he opened the world to his potential.

THE FUTURE: He impressed final outing and is prone to face Kabayel in an eliminator.

Congolese Boxer, Martin Bakole obtained a hero’s welcome, after beating US Boxer, Jared Anderson to win the WBO Worldwide and WBO-NABO Heavyweight titles.

He has a document of 21 wins and 1 loss in his Boxing profession. pic.twitter.com/3K6dvJjpaD

— Africa Details Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) August 12, 2024

No. 7 – ANTHONY JOSHUA

RECORD: 26-2 (20 KOs)

THE PAST: Joshua received gold on the 2012 Olympics. He turned skilled and received British and Commonwealth championships earlier than stopping American Charles Martin (KO 2) to elevate the IBF title. The massively fashionable Brit defeated Wladimir Klitschko (TKO 11) and Joseph Parker (UD 12) so as to add the WBA and WBO titles to his assortment. and was largely dominant towards strong rivals Carlos Takam and Alexander Povetkin. Joshua was shockingly stopped by Andy Ruiz Jr. (TKO 7) however regained his titles towards the ill-disciplined Mexican-American in a direct rematch by one-sided unanimous choice. After beating obligatory challenger Kubrat Pulev (KO 9), Joshua was twice crushed by Usyk (UD 12/ MD 12). The 35-year-old has returned with so-so performances towards Jermaine Franklin (UD 12) and Robert Helenius (KO 7). Nevertheless, issues seemed to be getting into the proper course when he beat Otto Wallin (RTD 5) and Francis Ngannou (KO 2) earlier than IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois stunningly beat him up and stopped him in 5 one-sided rounds.

THE FUTURE: Licking his wounds and deciding what’s subsequent after his fall from grace towards Dubois.

Proactive talks 🤝 @Turki_alalshikh 🇸🇦

Thanks to all my supporters who got here to the battle, I respect you all 🙏 https://t.co/0ujGVJDFQO

— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) September 25, 2024

No. 8 – FILIP HRGOVIC

RECORD: 17-1 (14 KOs)

THE PAST: Hrgovic was a standout beginner, who claimed bronze on the 2016 Olympics. After turning skilled, the large Croatian has moved steadily and usually regarded spectacular beating fringe contender Amir Mansour (KO 3) and former title challenger Eric Molina (KO 3). He then grew to become the primary to cease Rydell Booker (TKO 5). He barely edged previous Zhang (UD 12) to grow to be the IBF obligatory. He then stopped Demsey McKean (TKO 12) and Mark DeMori (TKO 1) earlier than surprisingly coming aside towards Daniel Dubois (TKO 8)

THE FUTURE: Not been heard of for the reason that Dubois loss. He’ll doubtless attempt to safe a win after which get again within the combine.

No. 9 – FABIO WARDLEY

RECORD: 18-0-1 (17 KOs)

THE PAST: Wardley had 4 white-collar fights earlier than turning skilled in 2017. His energy was evident in the way in which he stopped former heavyweight title challenger Eric Molina (KO 5) and later Nathan Gorman (TKO 3) for the vacant British title. He dominated fellow unbeaten David Adeleye (TKO 7) so as to add the vacant Commonwealth titles to his rising checklist of accolades. This 12 months, he’s proved his mettle in a battle with Frazer Clarke (D 12) and eviscerated him in a rematch in a single spherical.

THE FUTURE: Approach to make an impression by bashing up Clarke. That figures to earn him larger and extra profitable alternatives in 2025.

All within the particulars 📝👨‍🎓🥊@BenDavison_ @leewylieboxing @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/Ll3AeXdDln

— Fabio Wardley (@FabioWardley) October 17, 2024

No. 10 – EFE AJAGBA

RECORD: 20-1 (14 KOs)

THE PAST: Ajagba received bronze on the 2014 Commonwealth Video games, gold on the 2015 All-African Video games and reached the quarter-finals of the 2016 Olympics. He left his native Nigeria and settled in Texas the place he started his skilled profession. Early in his profession, he has fairly the menace about him, with one opponent, Curtis Harper, electing to get out of the ring as quickly because the bell went to begin their contest. He has gone on to beat Ali Eren Demirezen (UD 10), misplaced to Frank Sanchez (UD 10), however returned with wins over unbeaten pair Stephan Shaw (UD 10) and Zhan Kossobutskiy (DQ 4). In his most up-to-date battle he edged previous helpful Italian Guido Vianello (SD 10).

THE FUTURE: It appears to be like like he’ll be again in early 2025.

On the Cusp: Jared Anderson, Justis Huni, Michael Hunter, Bakhodir Jalalov and Frank Sanchez

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