Terence Crawford celebrates along with his championship belts after defeating Errol Spence Jr. for the undisputed welterweight championship on July 29, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Al Bello/Getty Photos)
The Ring first launched its divisional scores in 1925. Virtually a century later, it’s no exaggeration to say that these unbiased scores are essentially the most revered and talked-about in world boxing.
The Ring Rankings Panel is made up of a dozen specialists from world wide. Opinions are shared, debate takes place, and the ultimate determination on who needs to be rated the place is determined democratically each week. It sounds straightforward, however this may be an arduous and time-consuming course of.
I will probably be going via 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 could lay forward.
Subsequent up is junior middleweight (154 kilos), which just lately gained Terence Crawford’s star-power so as to add to an already gifted and robust division.
As at all times, please benefit from the debate and respect different individuals’s opinions.
No. 1 – TERENCE CRAWFORD
RECORD: 41-0 (31 KOs)
THE PAST: Crawford began his professional profession away from the brilliant lights, however quickly sufficient the Nebraska native’s large break got here when he stepped in on three days’ discover to whitewash former Amir Khan conqueror Breidis Prescott (UD 10). The tremendous gifted American switch-hitter went from strength-to-strength, profitable titles at 135, 140 and 147. Bud has separated himself from the competitors by turning into an undisputed champion at 140 and 147. The 36-year-old has made seven defenses of his WBO welterweight title, notably beating Khan (TKO 6), Kell Brook (TKO 4), Shawn Porter (TKO 10) and David Avanesyan (KO 6). Nevertheless, he saved his greatest for his largest night time when he dominated long-time rival Errol Spence Jr. (TKO 9) to turn into Ring welterweight champion. He grew to become a four-weight world champion when he edged previous Israil Madrimov (UD 12) to turn into the WBA junior middleweight titlist.
THE FUTURE: He had hoped to face Canelo in a brilliant battle however now it seems he could as a substitute look via the plethora of choices that he has at 154 kilos.
Earlier than anybody however 2 fighters within the 4 belt period knew what undisputed seemed like. I simply confirmed up like this! #trendsetter pic.twitter.com/5uZX7nvciI
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) November 3, 2023
No. 2 – ISRAIL MADRIMOV
RECORD: 10-1-1 (7 KOs)
THE PAST: Madrimov received a slew of newbie titles earlier than turning skilled within the fall of 2018. The 29-year-old has moved shortly as a consequence of his newbie pedigree. “The Dream” has been a nightmare for his opponents, and has overwhelmed seasoned veterans like Norberto Gonzalez (TKO 6), Alejandro Barrera (TKO 5) and Eric Walker (UD 12). He additionally holds a win over perennial contender Michel Soro (TKO 9, in addition to a technical attract 3 of their rematch). He simply beat unheralded Raphael Igbokwe (UD 10) earlier than scoring an eye catching win over Magomed Kurbanov (TKO 5) to annex the vacant WBA title in March, however misplaced it in an in depth run affair to Terence Crawford (UD 12) which enhanced his fame.
THE FUTURE: Rumored to be dealing with Serhii Bohachuk on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury 2 in Riyadh on December 21.
No. 3 – SEBASTIAN FUNDORA
RECORD: 21-1-1 (13 KOs)
THE PAST: Fundora constructed a portion of his early report on the street in Mexico, Argentina and Uruguay. The 26-year-old holds bodily benefits over his opponents, standing 6-foot-5½ with a gargantuan 80-inch attain (unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has a 78-inch attain). Nevertheless, as a substitute of boxing on the skin, he prefers to face and battle. He has impressed stateside and over the previous couple of years, beating the likes of Nathaniel Gallimore (KO 6), Jorge Cota (TKO 4), Sergio Garcia (UD 12) and he bought off the canvas to outlast Erickson Lubin (RTD 9) in a conflict of attrition. He dominated Carlos Ocampo (UD 12) earlier than taking the lead solely to get knocked out by Brian Mendoza (KO 7). He was as a consequence of return after a yr off towards Serhii Bohachuk however when Vergil Ortiz was unable to face Tim Tszyu he stepped in at late discover and upset Tszyu (SD 12) in a bloody encounter.
THE FUTURE: He has apparently agreed to face former unified welterweight titlist Errol Spence however to this point doesn’t have a venue or date.
The towering inferno @SebastianFundo1 on preventing Errol Spence & Terence Crawford #boxing pic.twitter.com/laDaXQoogR
— Bible of Boxing (@ringmagazine) June 18, 2024
No. 4 – VERGIL ORTIZ JR.
RECORD: 22-0 (21 KOs)
THE PAST: Ortiz turned skilled at 140 kilos again in the summertime of 2016. The aggressive power-puncher was bursting on the seams, and by the point he reached contender standing was up at welterweight the place he beat former junior welterweight title problem Antonio Orozco (KO 6), former 140-pound titleholder Maurice Hooker (KO 7) and impressively bludgeoned former welterweight title challenger Egidijus Kavaliauskas (TKO 8). Nevertheless, the 26-year-old Texan noticed a battle with Michael McKinson moved again a number of months as a consequence of rhabdomyolysis. After receiving the all-clear, Ortiz returned and overcame a sluggish begin to cease the Brit in 9 rounds. Varied points noticed an ill-fated battle with WBA 147-pound ruler Eimantas Stanionis collapse on three events. He jumped as much as 154-pounds and snapped a 17-month hiatus scoring two first spherical stoppages earlier this yr after which edged residence towards Serhii Bohachuk (MD 12).
THE FUTURE: Ortiz might face Crawford in a unification or look in one other route. Both manner, he has loads of choices.
Born and raised right here, now town’s 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 to Vergil Ortiz Jr. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/f3UxCAY8jJ
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) September 14, 2024
No. 5 – TIM TSZYU
RECORD: 24-1 (17 KOs)
THE PAST: Tszyu, who’s the eldest son of Corridor of Famer Kostya Tszyu, turned skilled in December 2016. Since then, he has moved steadily via the ranks, notably beating former welterweight titleholder Jeff Horn (TKO 8). The 29-year-old made his American debut and needed to get off the canvas within the opening spherical to greatest skilled Terrell Gausha (UD 12). He spent a yr ready for his shot at Ring/ undisputed champion Jermell Charlo, however finally pushed ahead and seemed sensational beating former titleholder Tony Harrison (TKO 9), Carlos Ocampo (KO 1) and Brian Mendoza (UD 12) to say the vacant WBO title. Nevertheless, he misplaced an in depth determination in a blood-splattered encounter with late-sub Sebastian Fundora (SD 12) that was additionally for the vacant WBC title.
THE FUTURE: He’ll face IBF ruler Bakhram Murtazuliev in Orlando, Florida, on October 19.
Sebastian Fundora (proper) retains Tim Tszyu at bay with a protracted jab – Photograph by Steve Marcus/Getty Photos
No. 6 – SERHII BOHACHUK
RECORD: 24-2 (23 KOs)
THE PAST: Bohachuk was a strong newbie who competed within the World Collection of Boxing earlier than turning skilled in 2017. The Ukrainian received his first 18 fights, all inside the gap with no one lasting previous the sixth spherical. Then, he was forward on the scorecards earlier than being upset by Brandon Adams (TKO 8). After 5 wins stopping trial horses corresponding to Aaron Coley (KO 2) and Nathaniel Gallimore (KO 6), he stepped up and proved to be bodily too sturdy for Brian Mendoza (UD 12) after which narrowly misplaced to Vergil Ortiz (MD 12).
THE FUTURE: It seems to be like he’s lined as much as face Madrimov on December 21 in a mouthwatering match up.
No. 7 – ERICKSON LUBIN
RECORD: 26-2 (18 KOs)
THE PAST: Lubin was a former newbie star, who seemed on the right track to symbolize the U.S. on the 2016 Olympics. Nevertheless, Lubin turned skilled at 18, and whereas he seemed the half throughout his rise, he was brutally stopped in a single spherical by WBC titlist Jermell Charlo. That will have ruined loads of fighters, however a lot to his credit score Lubin raised his sport and received six fights, most notably stopping former unified titleholder Jeison Rosario (KO 6). He did lose an all-action shootout with Sebastian Fundora (RTD 9). The 28-year-old southpaw returned to the win column beating Luis Arias (TKO 5) however appeared fortunate to get the choice towards Jesus Ramos (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: On the finish of the month he’ll have been off a yr. If he doesn’t have a battle scheduled by then he’ll go away the scores.
No. 8 – JESUS RAMOS
RECORD: 21-1 (17 KOs)
THE PAST: Ramos turned skilled in Mexico, the place his first eight fights passed off. The Casa Grande native headed again to America and shortly outgrew the welterweight division. The hard-charging 23-year-old nephew of welterweight fringe contender Abel Ramos has overwhelmed Brian Mendoza (UD 10), Luke Santamaria (UD 10) and rising prospect Joey Spencer (TKO 7). He misplaced controversially to Erickson Lubin (UD 12) however has bounced again by beating Johan Gonzalez (TKO 9).
THE FUTURE: He’ll hope to seem on one among PBC’s fall exhibits to maintain himself lively and within the operating for a giant battle subsequent yr in what’s quick rising as one among boxing’s hottest divisions.
Charles Conwell (proper) lands a punch on Nathaniel Gallimore. Photograph by Cris Esqueda-Golden Boy
No. 9 – CHARLES CONWELL
RECORD: 20-0 (15 KOs)
THE PAST: Conwell was a gifted newbie, who represented the U.S. on the 2016 Olympics. He turned skilled after returning residence with out a medal. The 26-year-old Cleveland resident moved via the ranks claiming varied sanctioning physique regional titles and owns wins over the ill-fated Patrick Day (KO 10) who sadly handed away afterwards, beforehand unbeaten Madiyar Ashkeyev (RTD 9) and grizzled veteran Juan Carlos Abreu (MD 10). He then spent 17-months out of motion earlier than signing with Golden Boy and returning with wins over Nathaniel Gallimore (TKO 6) and Khiary Grey (KO 2).
THE FUTURE: He had been provided a battle with IBF 147-pound titlist Jaron Ennis, who would have moved up in weight however determined to go one other manner due to the cash on supply. Regardless of, he’s prone to be featured in a fall battle whereas biding his time ready for a title shot.
No. 10 – BRIAN MENDOZA
RECORD: 22-4 (16 KOs)
THE PAST: Mendoza received his first 18 fights earlier than tasting defeat towards Larry Gomez (SD 8). After beating Thomas LaManna (UD 10), he suffered one other reverse, this time towards Jesus Ramos (UD 10). Unperturbed, the 30-year-old Albuquerque native bought again to profitable methods as a late substitute, gorgeous former unified titleholder Jeison Rosario (KO 5) and he scored a dramatic come-from-behind knockout over beforehand unbeaten Sebastian Fundora. He has misplaced his final two however confirmed actual grit to go the gap towards Tim Tszyu (UD 12) and, most just lately, Serhii Bohachuk (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: He must get again within the win column after two consecutive defeats, maybe he will get a fall battle on a PBC present.
On the Cusp: Brandon Adams, Abass Baraou, Bakhram Murtazuliev, Michel Soro and Xander Zayas
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)
The Ring Rankings Reviewed 2024: Bantamweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Rankings Reviewed 2024: Junior featherweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Rankings Reviewed 2024: Featherweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Rankings Reviewed 2024: Junior light-weight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Rankings Reviewed 2024: Light-weight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Rankings Reviewed 2024: Junior welterweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Rankings Reviewed 2024: Welterweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
Questions and/or feedback could be despatched to Anson at [email protected].
