Jaron Ennis (left) lands a protracted jab on Karen Chukhadzhian – Photograph by Amanda Wescott
The Ring first launched its divisional scores in 1925. Nearly a century later, it’s no exaggeration to assert that these unbiased rankings are probably the most revered and talked-about in world boxing.
The Ring Scores Panel is made up of a dozen consultants from around the globe. Opinions are shared, debate takes place, and the ultimate choice on who needs to be ranked the place is determined democratically each week. It sounds straightforward, however this may be an arduous and time-consuming course of.
I shall be going by means of every division in reverse order and work my method 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 welterweight (147 kilos), which is at its weakest in years and appears bereft of the same old cadre of elite expertise except for Jaron Ennis. Maybe a few of the stars at junior welterweight could quickly head to welterweight and convey again the nice glory days. As all the time, please benefit from the debate and respect different individuals’s opinions.
No. 1 – JARON ENNIS
RECORD: 32-0 (29 KOs)
THE PAST: The good American switch-hitter would possibly simply be the following massive star in boxing. He discovered to field at a really younger age, in Philadelphia, along with his father and brothers. “Boots” has an elite mixture of energy and velocity that has been a nightmare for anybody he’s confronted to this point. The way wherein the 27-year-old brutally dispatched former junior welterweight titleholder Sergey Lipinets (KO 6), Thomas Dulorme (KO 1), Custio Clayton (KO 2) and Roiman Villa (KO 10) suggests he could also be particular. After a yr off, he returned for his Matchroom debut which was a homecoming towards David Avanesyan (RTD 5).
THE FUTURE: Ennis had been in talks to face WBO titlist Brian Norman Jr. in a unification, however that in the end didn’t come to move. So, he’s lumbered with a compulsory towards Karen Chukhadzhian which is a rematch of a combat that Ennis gained by 12-round shut out. To compound issues, his promoter, Matchroom, misplaced the purse bid and he faces the proposition of going abroad. It’s extra doubtless Ennis will vacate and maybe be part of the junior welterweight get together.
Hey @OfficialBNorman, you up for the problem? 👀 @JaronEnnis
🍿 @EddieHearn pic.twitter.com/THtCYZw3uo
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) August 23, 2024
No. 2 – EIMANTAS STANIONIS
RECORD: 15-0 (9 KOs)
THE PAST: He turned skilled after a superb newbie profession concluded on the 2016 Olympics. The 30-year-old Lithuanian moved to America, and his aggressive model allowed him to adapt shortly to the skilled ranks. He owns wins over Justin DeLoach (KO 9), Thomas Dulorme (UD 12) and overcame the beforehand unbeaten Radzhab Butaev through hard-fought 12-round break up choice to win the WBA title. Snake-bitten combat with Ortiz failed to come back to move, and this has left him on the sidelines for an prolonged interval. He returned earlier this yr to defend his title towards Gabriel Maestre (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: Seemingly seeking to return within the fall or early 2024 relying on the PBC schedule.
No. 3 – MARIO BARRIOS
RECORD: 29-2 (18 KOs)
THE PAST: Barrios turned skilled as a young person over a decade in the past as a junior featherweight. Since then, the tall San Antonio native has crammed out and claimed world titles at 140 and 147. He gained the vacant WBA 140-pound title towards Batyr Akhmedov (UD 12) however misplaced it in his second protection to Gervonta Davis (TKO 11). The 29-year-old jumped to welterweight and was crushed by Keith Thurman (UD 12) however has gained thrice since. He claimed the WBC title by upsetting Yordenis Ugas (UD 12) and has since efficiently defended towards Fabian Maidana (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: Ready to see what the PBC fall schedule appears like.
No. 4 – DAVID AVANESYAN
RECORD: 35-5-1 (18 KOs)
THE PAST: The aggressive Russian made his bones preventing at dwelling. He beat a shell of former boxing famous person Shane Mosley (UD 12), then pushed Lamont Peterson shut, narrowly shedding a 12-round choice. He was stopped by Egidijus Kavaliauskas (TKO 6), however rebounded to win six fights together with an on-the-road win over Kerman Lejarraga (TKO 9) to assert the European title. Additionally took the unbeaten file of proficient Josh Kelly (TKO 6). The 36-year-old had misplaced world title challenges within the backyards of Terence Crawford (KO 6) and, most lately, Jaron Ennis (RTD 5).
THE FUTURE: He want to face one of many British welterweights, and has recognized Lewis Crocker as somebody he want to face.
David Avanesyan (left) Photograph courtesy of Queensberry Promotions
No. 5 – BRIAN NORMAN JR.
RECORD: 26-0 (20 KOs)
THE PAST: Norman made his skilled debut at 17 and fought usually in Mexico, the place he served his apprenticeship. He got here to the fore after signing with Prime Rank however regarded extra suspect than prospect at first. To his credit score, he dominated Quinton Randall (UD 10) after which bludgeoned Giovanni Santillan (KO 10) in entrance of Santillan’s San Diego followers to win the WBO interim title that has since been upgraded to full championship standing.
THE FUTURE: Norman, who had been in talks to face Ennis, will as a substitute face Derrieck Cuevas (27-1-1) in Norfolk, Virginia on November 8.
Official WBO Welterweight Champion @OfficialBNorman @WorldBoxingOrg pic.twitter.com/4BA9sTlEgz
— Jolene Mizzone (@Jmizzone) August 12, 2024
No. 6 – GIOVANI SANTILLAN
RECORD: 32-1 (17 KOs)
THE PAST: Santillan has been an expert since 2012. His profession was one thing of a sluggish burn and took him till 2020 when he edged previous former light-weight titlist Antonio DeMarco (MD 10) inside The Bubble on the MGM Grand, Las Vegas. A number of fights later he upset Alexis Rocha (KO 6) in a profession finest efficiency. Nevertheless, simply as we began to consider in his return, he was effectively crushed in a homecoming towards Norman (KO 10).
THE FUTURE: He’ll have to rebuild after getting bashed up by Norman in Might.
No. 7 – SHAKHRAM GIYASOV
RECORD: 16-0 (9 KOs)
THE PAST: Giyasov was a standout newbie claiming silver on the 2016 Olympics earlier than taking gold on the 2017 World Championships. After turning skilled in early 2018, the spectacular Uzbek has moved by means of the ranks, initially at 140 kilos earlier than settling at 147 kilos. The 31-year-old holds win over Christian Gomez (UD 10), Harold Calderon (UD 12) pale former title challenger Pablo Cesar Cano (TD 11) and struggled final day trip towards Miguel Parra (SD 10).
THE FUTURE: The Uzbek is ranked No. 1 by the WBA and WBO, and could be a hazard to Stanionis (who he beat as an newbie) or Norman.
No. 8 – ALEXIS ROCHA
RECORD: 25-2 (16 KOs)
THE PAST: Rocha was a great newbie and hit the bottom working as an expert, notching 16 consecutive wins earlier than shedding his unbeaten file to Rashidi Ellis (UD 12) in October 2020. To his credit score the 27-year-old southpaw has bounced again strongly with seven wins, notably Blair Cobbs (KO 9), George Ashie (KO 7) and Anthony Younger (KO 5) to grow to be the WBO obligatory challenger. Nevertheless, he misplaced to Giovani Santillan (KO 6) however has returned with wins over Frederick Lawson (RTD 7) and beforehand unbeaten Santiago Dominguez (UD 10).
THE FUTURE: He’ll be hoping to seek out his method onto Golden Boy’s massive “Latinos Night time in Riyadh Season” present on November 16.
Raul Curiel (proper) wore down veteran Courtney Pennington. Photograph / Golden Boy Promotions
No. 9 – JIN SASAKI
RECORD: 17-1 (16 KOs)
THE PAST: Sasaki made his skilled debut at 17 as a light-weight. He matured right into a junior welterweight and gained his first 11 earlier than coming in over weight towards the extra skilled Andy Hiraoka, who stopped him in 11-rounds when the 2 contested the vacant Japanese title. The 23-year-old power-puncher moved as much as welterweight and has claimed the OPBF title and owns wins over Ryota Toyoshima (TKO 1), former world title challenger Keita Obara (TKO 3), Joe Noynoy (TKO 5) and, most lately, Qamil Balla (TKO 7).
THE FUTURE: Maybe he returns on the undercard of stablemate Naoya Inoue’s December 24 present.
勝ちました！7ラウンドKO勝ち会場からの応援そしてlemino生配信からの応援して下さった方々本当にありがとうございました🤝皆様の応援パワーもの凄く力になりました！とりあえず勝ちの報告をすることができてホッとしてます。まだまだ最強目指して頑張りたいと思います🌏… pic.twitter.com/4TmKKNaTRx
— 佐々木 尽 JIN SASAKI (@JinSasaki0728) September 3, 2024
No. 10 – RAUL CURIEL
RECORD: 15-0 ( 13KOs)
THE PAST: Curiel was a proficient newbie who fought Internationally. He boxed within the World Collection of Boxing and in addition represented Mexico on the 2016 Olympics. He turned skilled within the undercard of Canelo Alvarez-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in Might 2017. The now 28-year-old gained the vacant NABF title towards Ferdinand Kerobyan (KO 9) in June 2022 and has made 5 profitable defenses, all inside the space and seems able to make the step up.
THE FUTURE: He’ll hope his promoter Golden Boy are capable of place him on one among their exhibits earlier than the tip of the yr.
On the Cusp: Karen Chukhadzhian, Souleymane Cissokho, Lewis Crocker, Paddy Donovan and Egidijus Kavaliauskus
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)
The Ring Scores Reviewed 2024: Junior flyweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Scores Reviewed 2024: Flyweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Scores Reviewed 2024: Junior bantamweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Scores Reviewed 2024: Bantamweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Scores Reviewed 2024: Junior featherweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Scores Reviewed 2024: Featherweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Scores Reviewed 2024: Junior light-weight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Scores Reviewed 2024: Light-weight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Scores Reviewed 2024: Junior welterweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
Questions and/or feedback will be despatched to Anson at [email protected].
Observe @AnsonWainwright
