Kenshiro Teraji (proper) in his rematch with Masamichi Yabuki. (Picture by Naoki Fukuda)
The Ring first launched its divisional rankings in 1925. Virtually 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 specialists from all over the world. Opinions are shared, debate takes place, and the ultimate choice on who needs to be ranked the place is set democratically each week. It sounds simple, however this may be an arduous and time-consuming course of.
Right here I will likely be going via every division in reverse order and work my approach up from strawweight to heavyweight and have a look at every rated fighter’s respective achievements and gaze into my crystal ball as to what could lay forward.
After a busy first half of 2024 to compile one other divisional breakdown.
Subsequent up is junior flyweight (108 kilos), which has seen each Ring, WBC and WBA ruler Kenshiro Teraji and WBO counterpart Jonathan Gonzalez vacate their titles (although they continue to be rated till they’ve formally fought at flyweight) leaving the division is a state of flux. As at all times, please benefit from the debate and respect different folks’s opinions.
CHAMPION – KENSHIRO TERAJI
RECORD: 23-1 (14 KOs)
THE PAST: Teraji received the Japanese and OPBF titles inside eight fights. Quickly afterward, “The Superb Boy” stepped as much as the world scene and claimed the WBC title, in Could 2017, edging Ganigan Lopez (MD 12). Teraji improved immeasurably with the world title win, making eight defenses in opposition to the likes of Lopez (KO 2), Milan Melindo (TKO 7), Jonathan Taconing (TKO 4) and Randy Petalcorin (TKO 4). Nevertheless, overconfidence noticed him return from COVID-19 too shortly and lose his unbeaten file and title to Masamichi Yabuki (TKO 10) in September 2021. To his credit score, Teraji, now 32, doubled down and confirmed his class and an additional edge we hadn’t seen beforehand by blitzing Yabuki (KO 3) to regain the title. He then upped his sport once more and scored a career-best win over beforehand unbeaten Hiroto Kyoguchi (TKO 7) to assert The Ring and WBA titles. He has since stopped late-sub Anthony Olascuaga (TKO 9), Hekkie Budler (TKO 9) and, most not too long ago, narrowly beat Carlos Canizales (MD 12).
THE FUTURE: Teraji is headed to flyweight the place he’ll probably face Cristofer Rosales for the vacant WBC title in Japan in October.
No. 1 – JONATHAN GONZALEZ
RECORD: 28-3-1 (14 KOs)
THE PAST: Gonzalez was a standout newbie who claimed three nationwide titles in addition to gold on the Central American & Caribbean video games and World Youth championships. He turned skilled in 2011 amid excessive expectations in Puerto Rico. After successful his first 13 fights, he got here unstuck in opposition to the hard-charging former world champion Giovani Segura (KO 4). After righting the ship, he was surprisingly crushed by Jobert Alvarez (TKO 6). The 33-year-old slick southpaw was stopped by Kosei Tanaka when he tried to win the WBO 108-pound title and regarded like he could not attain his potential till he shocked Elwin Soto (SD 12). He made two defenses, impressively besting rising Japanese fighter Shokichi Iwata (UD 12) however then noticed a deliberate unification in opposition to Teraji disintegrate on the eleventh hour as a consequence of a bout of bout of mycoplasma. That result in a 16-month hiatus earlier than returning in March in opposition to Rene Santiago (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: Gonzalez vacated his WBO title and will likely be in line to combat not too long ago minted Anthony Olascuaga for the WBO flyweight belt, presumably in Japan in October on the identical present as Teraji-Rosales.
No. 2 – SIVENATHI NONTSHINGA
RECORD: 13-1 (10 KOs)
THE PAST: The South African received the nationwide title in his fifth combat. The 25-year-old has crushed compatriot Siyabonga Siyo (TKO 9) and difficult Filipino Ivan Soriano (KO 5). Nontshinga held on after getting knocked down within the ultimate spherical in opposition to Christian Araneta (UD 12) in an IBF eliminator. He edged out Hector Flores (SD 12) to assert the vacant IBF title in Mexico and retained his title outboxing Regie Suganob (UD 12). He surprisingly misplaced his title to Adrian Curiel (KO 2) however bounced again in a direct rematch to come back from behind to cease the Mexican in 10-rounds to regain his title.
THE FUTURE: Will probably face his necessary Masamichi Yabuki subsequent.
Adrian Curiel (left) and Sivenathi Nontshinga (proper) throughout their IBF title combat on the Guelaguetza Auditorium in Oaxaca, Mexico – Picture by Melina Pizano/Matchroom.
No. 3 – ADRIAN CURIEL
RECORD: 24-6-1 (5 KOs)
THE PAST: Curiel turned skilled in 2016. The Mexican received his first 11 fights earlier than dropping a intently contested combat with future IBF strawweight titlist Daniel Valladares (UD 10). After returning to successful methods he was edged out by novice Sergio Meija (MD 6). “Gatito” battled on however got here up brief in opposition to then unbeaten Joselito Velazquez (UD 10) and future world title challenger Cristian Gonzalez (MD 10). The 25-year-old has rebounded properly with seven wins out of eight, the lone blemish coming within the type of a technical draw to earn a combat with IBF titlist Sivenathi Nontshinga, who he stunningly upset by way of second-round knockout. He misplaced a direct rematch when he was stopped in 10-rounds and, most not too long ago, misplaced to Sunny Edwards (Tech Dec. 9).
THE FUTURE: After shedding his final two, he must get again within the win column.
No. 4 – ELWIN SOTO
RECORD: 21-3 (13 KOs)
THE PAST: Soto got here out of nowhere to assert the WBO title on the expense of Angel Acosta (KO 12). The 27-year-old Mexican made three profitable defenses, notably beating Edward Heno (UD 12) and Katsunari Takayama (TKO 9) earlier than shedding his title to Gonzalez (SD 12). “La Pulga” had dwelling benefit when he fought former two-division titleholder Hekkie Budler (L UD 12) however was outhustled. He has since crushed Brian Mosinos (SD 10) and Jose Armenta (UD 10).
THE FUTURE: Soto injured his left hand in sparring and needed to bear an operation. He returned to coaching within the second week of July with the hope of returning to motion later this yr.
No. 5 – CARLOS CANIZALES
RECORD: 26-2-1 (19 KOs)
THE PAST: The proficient Venezuelan first caught the attention when he left his homeland to face WBA titleholder Ryoichi Taguchi (D 12). He returned dwelling and claimed three victories earlier than touring abroad once more and making a reputation for himself in Asia by defeating Reiya Konisha (UD 12), Bin Lu (TKO 12) and Sho Kimura (UD 12). The 31-year-old was surprisingly stopped by unheralded Esteban Bermudez (TKO 6) however returned with 4 wins, notably stopping light former WBC titlist Ganigan Lopez (KO 4) and a WBA eliminator in opposition to Daniel Matellon (TD 8). He gave Teraji all he may deal with however finally misplaced a Ring/ WBA/WBC title problem by 12-round majority choice. He has since returned with a win.
THE FUTURE: Tabbed to face Petchmanee CP Freshmart for the vacant WBC 108-pound title.
No. 6 – MASAMICHI YABUKI
RECORD: 16-4 (15 KOs)
THE PAST: Yabuki had a patchy begin to his skilled profession, shedding three of his first 10 fights. He was crushed by future three-weight titlist Junto Nakatani (UD 4), present WBA flyweight titleholder Seigo Yuri Akui (TKO 1) and expert Cuban Daniel Matellon (SD 8). The 32-year-old power-puncher received three fights earlier than successful the nationwide title. As a rank outsider he upset Teraji (TKO 10) however was decisively dispatched in three-rounds in a direct rematch. Since then, he has scored spectacular wins over Thanongsak Simsri (TKO 7) and Ronald Chacon (TKO 11). He ruptured his Achilles tendon and spent 14-months on the sidelines earlier than beating Kevin Vivas (TKO 4) in March.
THE FUTURE: He will likely be hoping to turn into a two-time world champion when he challenges Nontshinga for the IBF title later this yr.
Carlos Cañizales (left) fights via a ugly harm to defeat Daniel Matellon (left) – Picture by Nelson Quispe – Boxeo de Primera
No. 7 – SHOKICHI IWATA
RECORD: 13-1 (10 KOs)
THE PAST: Iwata, who holds newbie wins over Takuma Inoue and Kosei Tanaka, turned skilled in America in December 2018. The 28-year-old has gone on to win Japanese and OPBF titles in simply 9 fights. Iwata beat Toshimasa Ouchi (UD 8) earlier than demolishing him in one-round in a return. He gained invaluable expertise besting grizzled former world title challenger Kenichi Horikawa (UD 12). He misplaced in opposition to wily Puerto Rican Jonathan Gonzalez (UD 12) in a WBO title shot however has returned with 4 wins, together with stopping former strawweight titlist Rene Mark Cuarto (TKO 6) and, most not too long ago, Jahzeel Trinidad (TKO 6).
THE FUTURE: Might face Jairo Noriega for the vacant WBO title in Japan in October.
No. 8 – CHRISTIAN ARANETA
RECORD: 24-2 (19 KOs)
THE PAST: Araneta has been knowledgeable since 2013 and received his first 17 fights at dwelling in The Philippines. The 29-year-old southpaw misplaced for the primary time in an IBF eliminator in opposition to Daniel Valladares (RTD 4) in Mexico. After two wins he misplaced an in depth combat to Nontshinga (UD 12) in one other eliminator this time in South Africa. Has received 5 fights since, most not too long ago, stopping Arvin Magramo (TKO 1).
THE FUTURE: He’s the IBF No. 1, so will likely be angling for an additional shot at Nontshinga.
No. 9 – THANONGSAK SIMSRI
RECORD: 35-1 (32 KOs)
THE PAST: The ability-punching Thai ran via his first 24 opponents earlier than he got here unstuck in opposition to Yabuki (TKO 7). The 24-year-old acquired again to successful methods an upset Miel Fajardo (UD 12) for the OPBF title. Just lately defended his regional title by stopping John Paul Gabunilas (TKO 5).
THE FUTURE: He’s ranked within the high 5 by each the IBF and WBO and can hold transferring ahead and look to see what alternatives there are as soon as the vacancies have been crammed in three of the 4 sanctioning our bodies.
No. 10 – REGIE SUGANOB
RECORD: 15-1 (5 KOs)
THE PAST: The Filipino scored wins over compatriots Jake Amparo (UD 8), Jerome Baloro (UD 10) and Mark Vicelles (TD 8) to earn an IBF title shot. Needed to go depart his homeland and go to South Africa to face Nontshinga and was outpointed over 12-rounds. The 26-year-old has since received twice and appears primed to make his transfer once more.
THE FUTURE: Hoping for a second world title shot and seems to be trying on the winner of Iwata-Noriega, who will contest the vacant WBO title.
On the Cusp: Miel Fajardo, Jairo Noriega, Erick Rosa, Kyosuke Takami and Jayson Vayson
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)
Questions and/or feedback might be despatched to Anson at [email protected].
Comply with @AnsonWainwright
