BoxingScene Ratings Update: Stevenson, Soliman, More
By Cliff Rold
Light Heavyweight: Ample change at Light Heavyweight since the last ratings update. Adonis Stevenson remains the champion but game challenger Andrzej Fonfara moves up, in part on performance and in part on a year of inactivity from former lineal champion Chad Dawson. Dawson, who will be inactive one year on June 8th and with no fights scheduled, is removed. So too is former titlist Nathan Cleverly and challenger Tony Bellew, now competing at Cruiserweight. The three new entrants in the top ten are Isaac Chilemba, Eleider Alvarez, and Thomas Williams.
Super Middleweight: Despite the recent announcement of a ring return, Mikkel Kessler’s year of inactivity and lack of scheduled fight see him exit the top ten. J’Leon Love is new to the top ten.
Middleweight: Sam Soliman proved to have Felix Sturm’s number a second time, lifting an alphabet title one assumes he’ll keep this time after failing a drug test for banned stimulants the first time around.
Jr. Welterweight: Despite moving up for a loss to Juan Manuel Marquez, Mike Alvarado remains rated until his future plans are determined. One assumes he won’t be back at 140 but time will tell for certain.
Featherweight: While he won a title in the class, the auspicious way Nonito Donaire’s fight with Simpiwe Vetyeka felt a little too manufactured to elevate him to the top slot. Jhonny Gonzalez (who also won his last bout on a cut shortened score) moves up while Donaire debuts at 2. Javier Fortuna, now competing at 130, exits the top ten. Rocky Juarez’s career saving win over previously rated Rene Alvarado sees him return to the top ten.
Jr. Featherweight: Nonito Donaire and Vic Darchinyan, who lost his second straight at Featherweight last weekend, exit the top ten. Chris Avalos and Hidenori Otake enter the top ten.
Jr. Bantamweight: Carlos Cuadras picks up his first belt in the division and moves up to number 2 just behind division stalwart Omar Narvaez.
Strawweight: Jesus Silvestre exits the top ten after a non-title loss at Flyweight. Merlito Sabillo returns to the top ten.
The full results of note and the total impact on the ratings are a click away.
Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com
