Heavyweight (Limit: None)
Last
Rank
Name
Info
1
1
Oleksandr Usyk
24-0-0 (15)
Ukraine
Next: TBA
2
2
Agit Kabayel
WBC
27-0-0 (19)
Germany
Next: TBA
3
3
Tyson Fury
35-2-1 (24)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
4
4
Daniel Dubois
WBO
23-3-0 (22)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
5
5
Moses Itauma
14-0-0 (12)
United Kingdom
Next: Filip Hrgovic, 8/29
8
6
Anthony Joshua
29-4-0 (26)
United Kingdom
Next: Kristian Prenga, 7/25
6
7
Fabio Wardley
20-1-1 (19)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
8
8
Joseph Parker
36-4-0 (24)
New Zealand
Next: TBA
9
9
Filip Hrgovic
20-1-0 (15)
Croatia
Next: Moses Itauma, 8/29
10
10
Frank Sanchez
26-1-0 (19)
Cuba
Next: TBA
Titles: WBC – Agit Kabayel, WBA – Murat Gassiev, IBF – Vacant, WBO – Daniel DuboisUpcoming Notable Fights: Murat Gassiev vs Tony Yoka, 7/11 … Artem Suslenkov vs Joe Joyce, 7/11 … (6) Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga, 7/25 … (5) Moses Itauma vs (9) Filip Hrgovic, 8/29
Notes: Oleksandr Usyk has vacated the WBC, WBA, and IBF belts. Agit Kabayel has been officially elevated by the WBC, Murat Gassiev is now the only standing WBA “world” champion, and the IBF is vacant.
Rankings-wise, minor shift after the bigger shifts last month, I just started looking at this and had a hard time ranking Wardley over Joshua at the moment. Wardley’s best win (Parker) is something AJ’s done, too, and is Wardley’s loss (Dubois). Itauma ranked on speculation as much as anything, the hope of the generational talent, but we’ll know more after August and the Filip Hrgovic fight. Hrgovic may not be a world-beater, but he’s legitimate.
Cruiserweight (Limit: 200)
Last
Rank
Name
Info
1
1
Jai Opetaia
Zuffa
30-0-0 (23)
Australia
Next: TBA
2
2
David Benavidez
WBA, WBO
32-0-0 (26)
United States
Next: TBA
3
3
Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez
48-2-0 (30)
Mexico
Next: TBA
4
4
Chris Billam-Smith
22-2-0 (14)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
5
5
Noel Mikaelian
WBC
28-3-0 (12)
Armenia
Next: TBA
9
6
Viddal Riley
14-0-0 (7)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
–
7
Robin Safar
20-0-0 (13)
Sweden
Next: TBA
10
8
Ryan Rozicki
21-2-1 (20)
Canada
Next: TBA
–
9
Leonardo Mosquea
18-0-0 (11)
France
Next: TBA
6
10
Badou Jack
29-4-3 (17)
Sweden
Next: TBA
Titles: WBC – Noel Mikaelian, WBA – David Benavidez, IBF – Vacant, WBO – David Benavidez, Zuffa – Jai OpetaiaUpcoming Notable Fights: David Nyika vs Floyd Masson, 8/8 … Karim Maatalla vs TBA, 8/8 … Lenar Perez vs Thabiso Mchunu, 9/3
Notes: A little reshuffling here with some inactives dropping out. Robin Safar and Leonardo Mosquea are in, some decent wins recently for both. Badou Jack goes down to the No. 10 spot; he’s 42 years old and very selective about who he actually fights at this weight. Which is fair, but it doesn’t look like he’ll get a trilogy with Mikaelian, perhaps because there’s nowhere to sell tickets for it, so what’s he do now? Possibly hang up the gloves. Good, pretty lucrative career he had, if that’s what he chooses. Smart guy.
Mikaelian looks headed for a unification with David Benavidez, which, let’s be clear, is also Benavidez and his team making something of a calculated decision. Mikaelian is a good, tough, veteran boxer, a real pro, no question. But he’s not a big hitter, either. Unlike Zurdo, though, Mikaelian is a natural cruiser, just not a particularly big or bruising one. There’s really nothing wrong with the fight, but it is kind of a time-filler, something that would be a bid for a belt much more than something anyone is asking for. Belts and the shallow boxing concept of “undisputed” still allow fighters and promoters to pretend people were asking for certain fights. “We want the best fights,” you say, and they say, “Well this is for THREE world titles,” and you say, “Why are there three world titles,” and they say, “There are between four and six, actually, depending on what division you mean, and then sometimes, like, nine if you–” and then you go, “Ugh, fine, whatever, stop trying to explain it.”
Don’t count your chickens on the Benavidez vs Mikaelian idea, though. Don King would be involved, which can be complicated, to put it one way.
Light Heavyweight (Limit: 175)
Last
Rank
Name
Info
1
1
Dmitry Bivol
WBA, IBF, WBO
25-1-0 (12)
Russia
Next: TBA
2
2
David Benavidez
WBC
32-0-0 (26)
United States
Next: TBA
4
3
Joshua Buatsi
20-1-0 (13)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
5
4
Anthony Yarde
27-4-0 (24)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
6
5
Imam Khataev
12-1-0 (11)
Russia
Next: TBA
7
6
Radivoje Kalajdzic
30-3-0 (22)
United States
Next: TBA
8
7
Umar Dzambekov
14-0-0 (10)
Austria
Next: TBA
3
8
Albert Ramirez
23-0-0 (19)
Venezuela
Next: TBA
9
9
Willy Hutchinson
20-2-0 (14)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
–
10
Lerrone Richards
19-2-0 (4)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
Titles: WBC – David Benavidez, WBA – Dmitry Bivol, IBF – Dmitry Bivol, WBO – Dmitry BivolUpcoming Notable Fights: Maidel Sando vs TBA, 7/7
Notes: A notable drop for Albert Ramirez, despite his win over Lerrone Richards. First of all, I firmly believe Richards won that fight. Second of all, even if you agree on it being a narrow victory for Ramirez, he looked lousy. He had no real ability to deal with the tricky, frustrating style of Richards, who enters at No. 10 because no matter how boring he might be to watch, the man is very good at what he does. And, again, I think he got the shaft. If he’d gotten his hand raised, he’d be entering at No. 7 or 8 and Ramirez might be at No. 10 still, or maybe have fallen fully out. He was really not good.
Benavidez may well be fully done with this division. Seems to be focused on staying at cruiserweight, though that could change. Maybe only for Bivol or the inactive Beterbiev, though, and I’m still not all that sure how much I want to see the latter.
Super Middleweight (Limit: 168)
Last
Rank
Name
Info
1
1
Canelo Alvarez
63-3-2 (39)
Mexico
Next: Christian Mbilli, TBA
2
2
Osleys Iglesias
IBF
15-0-0 (14)
Cuba
Next: TBA
3
3
Christian Mbilli
WBC
29-0-1 (24)
France
Next: Canelo Alvarez, TBA
4
4
Lester Martinez
19-0-1 (16)
Argentina
Next: TBA
5
5
Diego Pacheco
25-0-0 (18)
United States
Next: TBA
6
6
Hamzah Sheeraz
WBO
23-0-1 (19)
United Kigndom
Next: TBA
7
7
Jaime Munguia
WBA
46-2-0 (35)
Mexico
Next: TBA
8
8
Jacob Bank
19-0-0 (11)
Denmark
Next: TBA
9
9
Kevin Sadjo
29-1-0 (25)
France
Next: TBA
10
10
Bektemir Melikuziev
17-1-0 (11)
Uzbekistan
Next: TBA
Titles: WBC – Christian Mbilli, WBA – Jaime Munguia, IBF – Osleys Iglesias, WBO – Hamzah SheerazUpcoming Notable Fights: William Scull vs TBA, 7/3 … Ivan Zucco vs Omir Rodriguez, 7/4 … Max McIntyre vs Bohdan Sobol, 7/10 … (5) Diego Pacheco vs Immanuwel Aleem, 7/18 … Jermall Charlo vs Koen Mazoudier, 7/25 … Troy Williamson vs Callum Simpson, 8/8 … Moreno Fendero vs Stephane Fondjo, 9/3 … (1) Canelo Alvarez vs (3) Christian Mbilli, TBA
Notes: If you missed it in all of last weekend’s hype and results of fights and all that, Canelo vs Mbilli is being postponed to late October. No reason given which gives us all the pass to wildly speculate and I would say it could be Canelo needing a bit longer to be sure he’s 100% (or as close to it as he’s going to get at 35) after elbow surgery.
Middleweight (Limit: 160)
Last
Rank
Name
Info
1
1
Carlos Adames
WBC
25-1-1 (18)
Dominican Republic
Next: TBA
2
2
Erislandy Lara
WBA
32-3-3 (19)
Cuba
Next: TBA
3
3
Aaron McKenna
20-0-0 (10)
Ireland
Next: Etinosa Oliha, 8/8
4
4
Jesus Ramos Jr
24-1-0 (19)
United States
Next: TBA
5
5
Yoenli Hernandez
10-0-0 (9)
Cuba
Next: TBA
6
6
Etinosa Oliha
22-0-0 (10)
Italy
Next: Aaron McKenna, 8/8
7
7
Anauel Ngamissengue
15-1-0 (10)
France
Next: TBA
8
8
Denzel Bentley
22-3-1 (18)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
9
9
George Liddard
14-0-0 (8)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
10
10
Andreas Katzourakis
17-0-0 (11)
Greece
Next: TBA
Titles: WBC – Carlos Adames, WBA – Erislandy Lara, IBF – Vacant, WBO – Janibek AlimkhanulyUpcoming Notable Fights: Callum Peters vs Ivan Actis, 7/25 … (3) Aaron McKenna vs (6) Etinosa Oliha, 8/8 … Callum Walsh vs Tyler Denny, 8/8 … Derek Pomerlau vs TBA, 8/28
Notes: McKenna and Oliha will finally meet on August 8 for the vacant IBF title in Dublin. That might wind up being the marquee fight of the year for the middleweight division. Zuffa favorite Callum Walsh will also return on that card. I’ve still never been able to figure out Zuffa’s fascination with Walsh. Some people think it’s because they had so much success with Conor McGregor in UFC but Walsh is basically nothing like McGregor other than being born in Ireland.
Weird how popular a name “Callum” is in professional boxing in recent years, no? Some kind of proper fighting name, it would seem. It means “dove” or “dove-like.” Go figure.
Super Welterweight (Limit: 154)
Last
Rank
Name
Info
3
1
Jaron “Boots” Ennis
WBA, WBO
36-0-0 (32)
United States
Next: TBA
1
2
Sebastian Fundora
WBC
24-1-1 (16)
United States
Next: TBA
2
3
Vergil Ortiz Jr
24-0-0 (22)
United States
Next: TBA
5
4
Israil Madrimov
11-2-1 (7)
Uzbekistan
Next: TBA
6
5
Josh Kelly
IBF
18-1-1 (9)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
4
6
Xander Zayas
23-1-0 (13)
Puerto Rico
Next: TBA
7
7
Abass Baraou
17-2-0 (9)
Germany
Next: TBA
8
8
Bakhram Murtazaliev
23-1-0 (17)
Russia
Next: TBA
9
9
Yoenis Tellez
12-1-0 (8)
Cuba
Next: TBA
10
10
Tim Tszyu
27-3-0 (18)
Australia
Next: Errol Spence Jr, 7/25
Titles: WBC – Sebastian Fundora, WBA – Jaron “Boots” Ennis, IBF – Josh Kelly, WBO – Jaron “Boots” EnnisUpcoming Notable Fights: Joshua Kevin Anton vs Vladimir Hernandez, 7/18 … (5) Josh Kelly vs TBA, 7/25 … (10) Tim Tszyu vs Errol Spence Jr, 7/25
Notes: Boots Ennis takes the No. 1 spot with an impressive, if not perfect, win over Xander Zayas to take the WBA and WBO titles. Whatever you think of Zayas, beating him in that fashion is definitely more impressive than Fundora’s win over ancient Keith Thurman who hasn’t really been an active, full-time boxer in this decade, and Vergil Ortiz has been sidelined, mad as he is at anyone or someone or everyone about it.
I still want to see Boots vs Vergil. That fight could be bad news for either guy, you can make a compelling case that either one is going to be kryptonite for the other. Boots’ speed and sharpness, Vergil’s chin and finishing ability and the power he fires back with. Both can crack, both are nasty on the offensive side, both have defensive flaws and make mistakes in their fights. They’re not perfect, which makes them great to watch.
Zayas doesn’t drop a lot but ultimately he did get pretty well dominated. He could be moving up to 160 when he returns, he’s 23 and a big 154 lber, it’s probably close to time and it’s always better to get ahead of that than stay a fight too long and come into one having depleted your body to get those last couple lbs off, or not be able to do it at all.
Welterweight (Limit: 147)
Last
Rank
Name
Info
1
1
Devin Haney
WBO
33-0-0 (15)
United States
Next: TBA
2
2
Eimantas Stanionis
16-1-0 (9)
Lithuania
Next: TBA
3
3
Rolly Romero
WBA
17-2-0 (13)
United States
Next: Teofimo Lopez, 8/22
9
4
Ryan Garcia
WBC
25-2-0 (21)
United States
Next: TBA
5
5
Brian Norman Jr
29-1-0 (23)
United States
Next: TBA
8
6
Jack Catterall
33-2-0 (14)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
10
7
Liam Paro
IBF
28-1-0 (16)
Australia
Next: TBA
8
8
Vadim Musaev
14-0-0 (9)
Russia
Next: TBA
7
9
Lewis Crocker
22-1-0 (11)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
9
10
Conah Walker
18-3-1 (9)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
Titles: WBC – Ryan Garcia, WBA – Rolly Romero, IBF – Liam Paro, WBO – Devin HaneyUpcoming Notable Fights: Tiger Johnson vs Christopher Guerrero, 7/4 … Harlem Eubank vs David Papot, 7/18 … Ruben Aguilar vs Tre’Sean Wiggins, 7/18 … (3) Rolly Romero vs Teofimo Lopez, 8/22 … Jin Sasaki vs David Ssemujju, 9/21
Notes: Liam Paro jumps up to No. 7 after winning the IBF title from Lewis Crocker. Tough fight, Paro right about at his max level against someone like Crocker. Could wind up facing Manny Pacquiao; it sounds like that’s what his promoter wants, understandably. Paro is maxing out his value with that IBF title, Manny seems to still want to fight, and that Mayweather ordeal is just not going to happen. So if he really does still want to fight, and not just against fellow Seniors Tour legend Floyd, he should probably move on, and a trip back to Australia is about as marketable as a 47-year-old Pacquiao is getting otherwise. Also about as winnable.
Speaking of, what do you reckon would happen there? Pacquiao hung tough enough for a draw with Mario Barrios, but Paro throws a lot of punches and Pacquiao is 47 years old. Do I think Manny could win some rounds? Yeah, a few, I guess. But he’s at the age you bet on the younger guy even if prime-for-prime, Paro is nowhere near Manny’s class. Like Bernard Hopkins at 51 getting clobbered out of the ring by Joe Smith Jr.
There’s also talk of Rolly Romero vs Teofimo Lopez, which sounds alright, unless you’re Jack Catterall. Yet again the world conspires against Jack Catterall. Personally, I can’t believe the WBA would go back on their word like that. The WBA? Of all people? Anyway, August 22 is the working date for Rolly vs Teofimo. I’m kind of fascinated by that matchup, if we get it we’ll talk more about why later.
Super Lightweight (Limit: 140)
Last
Rank
Name
Info
1
1
Shakur Stevenson
WBO
25-0-0 (11)
United States
Next: TBA
2
2
Dalton Smith
WBC
19-0-0 (14)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
3
3
Gary Antuanne Russell
WBA
19-1-0 (17)
United States
Next: TBA
4
4
Subriel Matias
23-3-0 (22)
Puerto Rico
Next: TBA
5
5
Alberto Puello
24-1-0 (10)
Dominican Republic
Next: TBA
6
6
Adam Azim
15-0-0 (12)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
7
7
Keyshawn Davis
15-0-0 (10)
United States
Next: TBA
9
8
Pierce O’Leary
19-0-0 (11)
Ireland
Next: Mark Chamberlain, 8/1
10
9
Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz
28-3-2 (18)
Mexico
Next: TBA
–
10
Jhon Orobio
18-0-0 (16)
Colombia
Next: TBA, 9/3
Titles: WBC – Dalton Smith, WBA – Gary Antuanne Russell, IBF – Vacant, WBO – Shakur StevensonUpcoming Notable Fights: Bryan Flores vs Jonathan Navarro, 7/18 … Shohjahon Ergashev vs Batyr Jukembayev, 7/25 … (8) Pierce O’Leary vs Mark Chamberlain, 8/1 … Sean McComb vs TBA, 8/1 … Mikyo Watari vs Eikichi Kawamura, 8/1 … (10) Jhon Orobio vs TBA, 9/3
Notes: With Lamont Roach Jr deciding to settle back at 135 for his next fight, he’s out and Jhon Orobio comes in. I think Eye of the Tiger might have hit on a special one with Orobio, whose career is now based in Quebec. You can kind of get a sense when someone has next-level abilities and potential compared to the average Eye of the Tiger headliner or regional attraction, whether they be Canadian natives or one of EotT’s “imports,” which they do a good job on overall and has really bolstered the Quebec boxing scene over the years. But Orobio might be one of the real finds.
Looks like we’ll get Gary Antuanne Russell vs Pitbull Cruz for the WBA belt later this summer, which is a fine fight. That could be paired with Rolly vs Teofimo on August 22, and September 5 has also been floated as a date.
Last
Rank
Name
Info
1
1
Raymond Muratalla
IBF
22-0-0 (17)
United States
Next: Robson Conceicao, 8/1
2
2
Abdullah Mason
WBO
20-0-0 (17)
United States
Next: Albert Bell, 7/4
5
3
William Zepeda
33-1-0 (27)
Mexico
Next: Lamont Roach Jr, 8/1
–
4
Lamont Roach Jr
25-1-3 (10)
United States
Next: William Zepeda, 8/1
4
5
Sam Noakes
18-1-0 (16)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
6
6
Andy Cruz
6-1-0 (3)
Cuba
Next: TBA
7
7
Bakhodur Usmonov
12-0-0 (5)
Tajikistan
Next: TBA
8
8
Jadier Herrera
18-0-0 (16)
Cuba
Next: TBA
9
9
Andres Cortes
25-0-0 (13)
United States
Next: TBA
10
10
Armando Martinez
17-0-0 (15)
Cuba
Next: TBA
Titles: WBC – Vacant, WBA – Vacant, IBF – Raymond Muratalla, WBO – Abdullah MasonUpcoming Notable Fights: (2) Abdullah Mason vs Albert Bell, 7/4 … (1) Raymond Muratalla vs Robson Conceicao, 8/1 … (3) William Zepeda vs (5) Lamont Roach Jr, 8/1
Notes: Roach is facing Zepeda for the vacant WBC title on August 1, so Roach is back in at lightweight after previously sitting at 140. It’s fair enough; he fought at this weight within the last 16 months and when he did, he was arguably jobbed out of what could have been a win over Tank Davis, after which he was arguably jobbed out of what could have been a win at 140 over Pitbull Cruz, both officially scored draws.
Roach vs Zepeda will headline that August 1 show, and it will also feature the return of Raymond Muratalla, defending the IBF title against Robson Conceicao.
Floyd Schofield’s out. There had been a little talk of him fighting Gervonta Davis, but just as much talk of that not being feasible at the moment with Davis’ issues outside the ring and the fact that, officially, he is the WBA’s champion-in-recess and that means technically there’s a vacancy here. Plus Oscar De La Hoya seems really gung ho on trying to instead get Schofield that vacant WBA title fight with, possibly, Lucas Bahdi. But either way, Schofield hasn’t fought in 12 months and counting, and has nothing scheduled. If they make him a fight quickly, then we could just put him back. Otherwise, he’ll return when he’s actually active, if he were to beat someone.
Super Featherweight (Limit: 130)
Last
Rank
Name
Info
1
1
Emanuel Navarrete
IBF, WBO
40-2-1 (31)
Mexico
Next: TBA
2
2
O’Shaquie Foster
WBC
25-3-0 (12)
United States
Next: TBA
4
3
Charly Suarez
18-0-0 (10)
Philippines
Next: TBA
5
4
Anthony Cacace
WBA
25-1-0 (9)
Ireland
Next: TBA
6
5
Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez
29-2-0 (27)
Mexico
Next: TBA
7
6
Oscar Valdez
33-3-0 (24)
Mexico
Next: TBA
9
7
Ryan Garner
20-0-0 (10)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
8
8
Raymond Ford
18-2-1 (8)
United States
Next: TBA
10
9
Josh Padley
19-1-0 (6)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
–
10
Masanori Rikiishi
17-2-0 (12)
Japan
Next: TBA
Titles: WBC – O’Shaquie Foster, WBA – Anthony Cacace, IBF – Emanuel Navarrete, WBO – Emanuel NavarreteUpcoming Notable Fights: Yamato Hata vs Tsubasa Narai, 7/4 … Hayato Tsutsumi vs Felix Batista, 7/14 … Stephen Fulton vs Liam Wilson, 7/25 … Sofiane Oumiha vs Freddy Lainez, 8/15 … Austin Brooks vs Viktor Slavinskyi, 8/29
Notes: Robson Conceicao is out because he’s set for a move up to challenge for a title at 135. In comes Masanori Rikiishi. Ryan Garner moves up a couple spots after an entertaining, solid win over Michael Magnesi.
Oscar Valdez admittedly feels like he’s just treading water here. He would go inactive during the month of September if he doesn’t get something scheduled by then, and I don’t know if today’s version of Valdez would beat someone like Garner or Ford, but it’s also not like I’m 100% sure he wouldn’t, either.
Featherweight (Limit: 126)
Last
Rank
Name
Info
1
1
Rafael Espinoza
WBO
28-0-0 (24)
Mexico
Next: TBA
2
2
Brandon Figueroa
WBA
27-2-1 (20)
United States
Next: TBA
3
3
Angelo Leo
IBF
26-1-0 (12)
United States
Next: TBA
4
4
Bruce Carrington
WBC
17-0-0 (10)
United States
Next: Rene Palacios, 7/4
5
5
Nick Ball
23-1-1 (13)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
6
6
Mirco Cuello
16-0-0 (13)
Argentina
Next: TBA
–
7
John Riel Casimero
36-5-1 (25)
Philippines
Next: TBA
8
8
Liam Davies
18-1-0 (9)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
9
9
Cristobal Lorente
21-0-3 (8)
Spain
Next: TBA
10
10
Lorenzo Parra
24-1-1 (18)
Venezuela
Next: TBA
Titles: WBC – Bruce Carrington, WBA – Brandon Figueroa, IBF – Angelo Leo, WBO – Rafael EspinozaUpcoming Notable Fights: (4) Bruce Carrington vs Rene Palacios, 7/4 … Albert Gonzalez vs Aaron Alameda, 7/18
Notes: John Riel Casimero storms back into a top 10 after thrashing Luis Nery. I wouldn’t sign Casimero up for a big main event fight if I were basically any promoter, too unreliable in recent years, but the guy can fight. Still. He’s had a terrific career and is still strong at 126, and at the age of 37.
Super Bantamweight (Limit: 122)
Last
Rank
Name
Info
1
1
Naoya Inoue
WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO
33-0-0 (27)
Japan
Next: TBA
2
2
Junto Nakatani
32-1-0 (24)
Japan
Next: TBA
3
3
Sebastian Hernandez
20-1-0 (18)
Mexico
Next: TBA
4
4
Sam Goodman
22-1-0 (8)
Australia
Next: TBA
5
5
Alan Picasso
32-1-1 (17)
Mexico
Next: TBA
6
6
Ramon Cardenas
27-2-0 (15)
United States
Next: TBA
7
7
Ryosuke Nishida
11-1-0 (2)
Japan
Next: TBA
8
8
Shabaz Masoud
15-0-0 (4)
United Kingdom
Next: TBA
9
9
Murodjon Akhmadaliev
14-2-0 (11)
Uzbekistan
Next: TBA
10
10
Fillipus Nghitumbwa
17-2-0 (15)
South Africa
Next: TBA
Titles: WBC – Naoya Inoue, WBA – Naoya Inoue, IBF – Naoya Inoue, WBO – Naoya InoueUpcoming Notable Fights: Subaru Murata vs Jason Facularin, 8/22 … Marlon Tapales vs TBA, 8/29
Bantamweight (Limit: 118)
Last
Rank
Name
Info
–
1
Bam Rodriguez
WBA
24-0-0 (17)
United States
Next: TBA
1
2
Seiya Tsutsumi
13-0-3 (8)
Japan
Next: TBA
2
3
Takuma Inoue
WBC
22-2-0 (5)
Japan
Next: TBA
3
4
Christian Medina
WBO
27-4-0 (19)
Mexico
Next: TBA
4
5
Jose Salas
IBF
17-0-0 (11)
Mexico
Next: TBA
5
6
Tenshin Nasukawa
8-1-0 (3)
Japan
Next: TBA
7
7
Riku Masuda
10-1-0 (9)
Japan
Next: TBA
9
8
Michael Angeletti
15-0-0 (8)
United States
Next: TBA
6
9
Antonio Vargas
19-2-1 (11)
United States
Next: TBA
8
10
David Cuellar
29-1-0 (18)
Mexico
Next: TBA
Titles: WBC – Takuma Inoue, WBA – Bam Rodriguez, IBF – Jose Salas, WBO – Christian MedinaUpcoming Notable Fights: Mauro Forte vs Vincenzo Picardi, 7/4
Notes: The obvious thing is Bam Rodriguez coming in at No. 1 with his, for now, WBA title win over Antonio Vargas. I know he got hit a little but it didn’t really seem to bother him and he ultimately dominated Vargas and got him out inside half of the scheduled distance.
For now, it looks more likely that his next fight will be a unification with WBO titleholder Christian Medina, easy to make for Matchroom. There was talk of him staying at 118 another fight to face Takuma Inoue, but Inoue has been ordered by the WBC for a rematch with Tenshin Nasukawa, which could be coming in just a couple of months’ time. Would have been a good story, Bam’s right, but important to note that nobody was asking Takuma Inoue if he was all that excited by the idea of being a stepping stone supporting character in someone else’s story, or whether he’d want to take a big money rematch in Japan, which contributes to his story.
And despite Eddie Hearn pushing for Naoya Inoue vs Bam as soon as possible, it’s pretty obvious Bam’s camp otherwise don’t really see that as the smart move. Unless he loses or Naoya loses or whatever, I think it’ll happen in 2027, but I believe Bam’s crew think the smarter move is to make very sure he’s properly, physically ready for that next move up. They’ve handled his weight hops, up and down and up and up again, very wisely so far, so you can understand why he’d trust them.
A little bump for Michael Angeletti after a really solid win over Kenneth Llover in what was sort of a “top 10 eliminator” for both fighters, unofficially speaking, as these rankings are, indeed, unofficial. It’s entirely possible Angeletti is good enough to beat anyone currently at this weight on the right night. Other than Bam.
Super Flyweight (Limit: 115)
Last
Rank
Name
Info
1
1
Fernando Martinez
18-1-0 (9)
Argentina
Next: TBA
2
2
David Jimenez
WBA
18-1-0 (12)
Costa Rica
Next: TBA
3
3
Phumelela Cafu
11-1-3 (8)
South Africa
Next: TBA
4
4
Ricardo Malajika
17-2-0 (12)
South Africa
Next: TBA
5
5
Tomoya Tsuboi
3-0-1 (2)
Japan
Next: TBA
6
6
Chocolatito Gonzalez
53-4-0 (42)
Nicaragua
Next: TBA
–
7
Andrew Moloney
IBF
29-4-0 (18)
Australia
Next: TBA
8
8
Ryusei Kawaura
15-2-0 (9)
Japan
Next: TBA
9
9
Sikho Nqothole
22-3-0 (13)
South Africa
Next: TBA
7
10
Willibaldo Garcia
23-7-2 (13)
Mexico
Next: TBA
Titles: WBC – Vacant, WBA – David Jimenez, IBF – Andrew Moloney, WBO – VacantUpcoming Notable Fights: Jayr Raquinel vs Kenbun Torres, 7/12 … Kenshiro Teraji vs Israel Gonzalez, 7/20
Notes: The title situation has shifted with Bam Rodriguez vacating all of his 115 belts just before the move up to 118. David Jimenez was elevated to the WBA’s recognized world champ from interim status, which is fair; Jimenez won that interim title in the spring of 2024 and has defended it twice.
And Andrew Moloney took short money, went to Japan, and beat Willibaldo Garcia to claim his first world title at the age of 35. He’d been offered much more money to step aside and let Bam go for undisputed at 115, but he told Eddie Hearn he just couldn’t do it, that he had to chase this dream. From a dreamer’s standpoint, you totally get it. He’s had a good career, had some good fights, had his chances at WBA and WBO belts, and it just didn’t happen. At his age, and given the setbacks he’s had over the years, you’d have thought that dream was pretty much done. But he had a chance. He took it. The extra money would have surely been nice, but this is something Moloney clearly felt in his soul. And he made it count. Boxing has become so much duller in so many ways; a story like this is a reminder of the romanticism that still can exist in the heart and mind of a fighter, the sincere desire to achieve something other than padding a bank account.
The WBC and WBO belts sit vacant for the time being. Kenshiro Teraji vs Israel Gonzalez in Tokyo will settle the WBO vacancy this month, and the winner will obviously shoot into the rankings here. The WBC will surely order something soon.
Last
Rank
Name
Info
1
1
Ricardo Sandoval
WBC, WBA
27-2-0 (18)
United States
Next: TBA
2
2
Anthony Olascuaga
WBO
12-1-0 (9)
United States
Next: TBA
3
3
Masamichi Yabuki
IBF
19-4-0 (18)
Japan
Next: Rene Calixto, 6/6
6
4
Felix Alvarado
42-5-0 (35)
Nicaragua
Next: TBA
10
5
Abraham Perez
14-0-0 (7)
United States
Next: TBA
8
6
Yoali Mejia
15-0-0 (12)
Mexico
Next: TBA
7
7
Jonathan Gonzalez
29-4-1 (14)
Puerto Rico
Next: TBA
–
8
Mchanja Yohana
25-7-1 (15)
Tanzania
Next: TBA
–
9
Miel Fajardo
14-3-2 (12)
Philippines
Next: TBA
–
10
Samuel Carmona
14-1-0 (6)
Spain
Next: TBA, 8/15
Titles: WBC – Ricardo Sandoval, WBA – Ricardo Sandoval, IBF – Masamichi Yabuki, WBO – Anthony OlascuagaUpcoming Notable Fights: (10) Samuel Carmona vs TBA, 8/15
Notes: If you follow boxing long enough, and closely enough, you know that every year, we have upsets in the ring, stuff basically nobody saw coming, except then a bunch of people like me claim that they did. And you even have events outside of the ring that stun people; fights get made nobody expected, or someone jumps from one promoter to another, or it’s reported that “Zuffa Boxing” have paid 15 million Earth dollars to Conor Benn to fight a one-legged Regis Prograis on an undercard of a show they weren’t even actually promoting. Wild stuff!
But rarely have any of us been so shocked to hear something as we were this past month, when we learned that, apparently, Anthony Olascuaga vs Anthony Dominguez, promoted by someone with no boxing clout, was not going to be enough to draw over 135,000 fans to a show on this planet, not even in a city that hasn’t hosted big-time boxing with any regularity in, well, ever, for all it matters to today’s landscape. Stunned, we were, the lot of us. If that can’t draw 135,000 in San Francisco, what can?
A division in some minor flux. Galal Yafai went inactive; he had a fight scheduled and had to cancel it, and usually I’d give someone some leeway for that sort of thing, but I think it’s really worth asking if he’s going to fight again or what he has left if he does. Also out, because of moves up in weight, are Seigo Yuri Akui and Angel Ayala.
So you get a nice bump of five spots for Abraham Perez scoring a pretty good, close win over Jonathan Gonzalez, who does not drop any because there’s just not anywhere for him to drop. He was still pretty decent in that fight, I didn’t think he looked bad or like I suddenly felt he was five spots worse than I did before that fight.
Colombia’s Yuberjen Martinez is a sort of interesting case in this division, at least to me. The 2016 Olympic silver medalist was still winning amateur medals into 2023, having turned pro sort of tentatively in 2022, because you can do that now. He fought in May and won, going to 7-0 (7 KO), but his levels have been so-so at best. He’s a talented guy, but he is also 34 and maybe he thinks or even knows that he’s not really a high-level pro style fighter. I think I just kinda wish he was a more serious pro than he appears to be, I enjoyed watching him as an Olympian.
Light Flyweight (Limit: 108)
Last
Rank
Name
Info
1
1
Rene Santiago
WBA, WBO
16-4-0 (9)
Puerto Rico
Next: TBA
2
2
Shokichi Iwata
WBC
16-2-0 (13)
Japan
Next: Erik Badillo, 7/20
3
3
Thanongsak Simsri
IBF
40-1-0 (35)
Thailand
Next: TBA
4
4
Carlos Canizales
28-3-1 (20)
Venezuela
Next: TBA
5
5
Regie Suganob
18-1-0 (7)
Philippines
Next: TBA
6
6
Erik Badillo
19-0-0 (8)
Mexico
Next: Shokichi Iwata, 7/20
7
7
Sivenathi Nontshinga
14-2-0 (11)
South Africa
Next: TBA
9
8
Kyosuke Takami
10-1-0 (8)
Japan
Next: TBA
10
9
Aaron De La Cruz
14-0-0 (9)
Mexico
Next: TBA
–
10
Masataka Taniguchi
21-6-0 (15)
Japan
Next: TBA
Titles: WBC – Shokichi Iwata, WBA – Rene Santiago, IBF – Thanongsak Simsri, WBO – Rene SantiagoUpcoming Notable Fights: Shane Gentallan vs Xiaokang Song, 7/11 … Yuga Ozaki vs Jerry Francisco, 7/15 … (2) Shokichi Iwata vs (6) Erik Badillo, 7/20
Notes: Cristian Araneta out on inactivity.
Minimumweight (Limit: 105)
Last
Rank
Name
Info
1
1
Oscar Collazo
WBA, WBO
15-0-0 (12)
Puerto Rico
Next: TBA
2
2
Pedro Taduran
IBF
20-4-1 (14)
Philippines
Next: TBA
3
3
DianXing Zhu
17-1-0 (14)
China
Next: TBA
4
4
Siyakholwa Kuse
WBC
10-3-1 (4)
South Africa
Next: TBA
5
5
Melvin Jerusalem
25-4-0 (12)
Philippines
Next: TBA
6
6
Joey Canoy
25-5-2 (15)
Philippines
Next: TBA
7
7
Ryusei Matsumoto
8-0-0 (4)
Japan
Next: TBA
8
8
Takeshi Ishii
11-1-0 (8)
Japan
Next: TBA
9
9
Joseph Sumabong
10-1-0 (5)
Philippines
Next: Jheng Ciou, 7/11
10
10
Beaven Sibanda
9-1-0 (3)
Zimbabwe
Next: TBA
Titles: WBC – Siyakholwa Kuse, WBA – Oscar Collazo, IBF – Pedro Taduran, WBO – Oscar CollazoUpcoming Notable Fights: (9) Joseph Sumabong vs Jheng Ciou, 7/11
Notes: Collazo did fight, albeit as a flyweight against a late notice opponent and not a title defense against Joey Canoy. Collazo isn’t long for this division either way, as he had planned to leave it by the end of 2026, and he looked plenty big enough jumping up to 112, where Golden Boy has a unified titleholder in Ricardo Sandoval. That could be a terrific fight to make for later this year. But he might take the smaller jump to 108 and try to win a title, I guess. Either way, he’s a really good fighter at the very least and you hope to see him get some good fights.