Jaron \u2018Boots\u2019 Ennis has been added to the #7 spot in The Ring\u2019s updated rankings for the 154-lb division following his first-round knockout win over contender Uisma Lima last Saturday.<\/p>\n
Eye-Test Over R\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a ranking created by eye-test, because Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs) didn\u2019t beat anyone near good enough to be moved into the top #7 spot. He would have gotten moved up higher if he\u2019d fought one of the top-level contenders. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, came up empty in trying to get a better fighter.<\/p>\n
The Ring 154-lb updated rankings<\/p>\n
Vergil Ortiz Jr.
\nSebastian Fundora
\nIsrail Madrimov
\nBakhram Murtazaliev
\nErickson Lubin
\nXander Zayas
\nJaron Ennis
\nBrandon Adams
\nJesus Ramos
\nAbass Baraou<\/p>\n
Madrimov\u2019s Controversial #3 Spot<\/p>\n
The list is decent. Some of the grumbling by fans on X is about the recently beaten former WBA junior middleweight champion, Israil Madrimov, being placed at the #3 spot. Madrimov (10-2-1, 7 KOs) has a 0-2 record in his last two fights, and hasn\u2019t won a fight in a year and a half.<\/p>\n
Madrimov has still fought better opposition than Ennis, and the fighters ranked below him in The Ring\u2019s 154-lb rankings. He barely lost to Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Terence Crawford in his last two fights. He might have beaten Vergil if he weren\u2019t ill, and a lot of boxing fans believe he deserved a victory over Crawford. I had him winning, and I\u2019ve got years of experience.<\/p>\n
Ortiz Jr.\u2019s Questionable #1 Ranking<\/p>\n
Placing Vergil Ortiz Jr. at #1 doesn\u2019t make sense at all, because he\u2019s not looked good enough in his last two fights to be rated that high. His 12-round majority decision win over Serhii Bohachuk on August 10, 2024, was controversial, as he was dropped twice in the fight.<\/p>\n
His 12-round unanimous decision win over Madrimov on February 22, earlier this year, was very close. The judges gave it to Ortiz Jr. with scores of 115-113, 115-113, and 117-111. Madrimov was coming off a bad case of acute bronchitis going into the fight with Vergil, and he had problems breathing during the fight.<\/p>\n
Chris Williams has covered boxing since 2010, bringing fans reliable analysis and insight from ringside to headline events.<\/p>\n
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Chris Williams is a senior writer for Boxing News 24, covering the sport since 2013 and reporting ringside from major events worldwide. His coverage dives into both established champions and hungry prospects battling for recognition. Over the years, Chris has contributed to numerous leading boxing outlets, earning respect for his sharp analysis and insider perspective.<\/p>\n