By Cliff Rold
The BoxingScene divisional ratings are based in spirit on the concepts at play in College Football’s Bowl Championship Series rankings and the ratings found here reflect a cross section of:
1. Historical lineage (which often but not always lines up with Ring Magazine’s designated champions);
2. Press ratings from Ring Magazine, ESPN, Seconds Out, and the U.K.’s Boxing Monthly;
3. The ratings of the four major sanctioning bodies: the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF;
4. The computer ratings of the IBO and boxrec.com; and
5. Quality components based on career winning percentage and results against current top ten contenders and/or a division’s champion where there is one.
Heavyweight (201 lbs.-Unlimited)
1st Quarter Results
02/07: #3 Ruslan Chagaev (25-0-1, 17 KO, WBA) TD6 Carl Drummond (26-1, 20 KO)
03/21: #2 Vitali Klitschko (37-2, 36 KO, WBC) TKO9 #10 Juan Carlos Gomez (44-2, 35 KO)
03/27: Eddie Chambers (34-1, 18 KO) MD10 #5 Samuel Peter (30-3, 23 KO)
2nd Quarter Ratings
World Heavyweight Championship: Vacant
Vacant Since: Retirement of Lennox Lewis 02/06/2004
Top Ten Contenders
1. Wladimir Klitschko (52-3, 46 KO, IBF/WBO) - 3.055
2. Vitali Klitschko (37-2, 36 KO, WBC) - 8.051
3. Ruslan Chagaev (25-0-1, 17 KO, WBA) - 14.019
4. Nicolay Valuev (50-1, 34 KO, WBA) - 22.02
5. Alexander Povetkin (16-0, 12 KO) - 43
6. Eddie Chambers (34-1, 18 KO) - 50.029
7. David Haye (22-1, 21 KO) - 57.043
8. Alexander Dimitrenko (29-0, 19 KO) - 58
9. Cristobal Arreola (26-0, 23 KO) - 62
10. Samuel Peter (30-3, 23 KO) - 71.091
Rating Notes …This remains a three, not two man race, with the Klitschko’s capturing the headlines but WBA titlist Ruslan Chagaev lingering in the background waiting for a chance to prove whether or not he belongs with the towering siblings…Vitali was typically effective in disposing of a game Gomez…Chambers made a big statement by defeating Peter in a battle marked as much by literal guts as symbolic ones…Povetkin has an interesting bout with former U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada standing between he and Wladimir later this year…the most exciting thing for the class might be for former Cruiserweight king Haye and rising American Arreola to face off for a title by the end of the year but the former’s questionable chin and the latter’s highly questionable work ethic could get in the way.
Cruiserweight (176-200 lbs.)
1st Quarter Results
1/24: #5 Marco Huck (24-1, 19 KO) TKO3 Geoffrey Battelo (18-1, 15 KO)
02/27: World Champion Tomasz Adamek (37-1, 25 KO, Lineal/Ring/IBF) TKO8 Johnathon Banks (20-1, 14 KO)
03/14: Ola Afolabi (14-1-3, 6 KO) TKO9 #7 Enzo Maccarinelli (29-3, 22 KO)
2nd Quarter Ratings
World Cruiserweight Champion: Tomasz Adamek (36-1, 24 KO, Lineal/Ring/IBF)
Successful Defenses: 1
Lineage Descends From: Adamek SD12 Cunningham 12/11/2008
Top Ten Contenders
1. Guillermo Jones (36-3-2, 28 KO, WBA) - 11.02
2. Steve Cunningham (21-2, 11 KO) - 23.087
3. Ola Afolabi (14-1-3, 6 KO, WBO Interim) - 29.139
4. Giacobbe Fragomeni (26-1, 10 KO, WBC) - 33.037
5. Marco Huck (23-1, 18 KO) - 35.04
6. Victor Ramirez (14-1, 12 KO, WBO Interim) - 51.067
7. Firat Arslan (29-4-1, 18 KO) - 51.13
8. Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (41-2, 31 KO) - 53.053
9. Grigory Drozd (31-1, 23 KO) - 68.031
10. BJ Flores (21-0-1, 13 KO) - 70.021
Rating Notes …Adamek maintained his perch and a rematch with Cunningham, showdown with Jones, or possible bout with Light Heavyweight Glen Johnson would all be must-see action fights…Afolabi bounced Maccarinelli out of the ratings and maybe out of boxing with what is, so far, the knockout of the year…What is BJ Flores waiting for?
Light Heavyweight (169-175 lbs.)
1st Quarter Results
1/10: World Champion Zsolt Erdei (30-0, 17 KO, Lineal/WBO) UD10 Yuri Barashian (25-5, 17 KO)
02/06: Yusuf Mack (27-2-2, 16 KO) SD12 #10 Chris Henry (23-2, 18 KO)
02/14: #9 Clinton Woods (42-4-1, 24 KO) UD12 Elvir Muriqi (35-5, 22 KO)
02/27: #4 Glen Johnson (49-12-2, 33 KO) UD10 Daniel Judah (23-4-3, 10 KO)
03/21: #8 Roy Jones Jr. (53-5, 39 KO) TKO5 Omar Sheika (27-8, 18 KO)
2nd Quarter Ratings
World Light Heavyweight Champion: Zsolt Erdei (30-0, 17 KO, Lineal, WBO)
Successful Defenses: 10
Lineage Descends From: Hill SD12 Maske 11/23/1996
Top Ten Contenders
1. Chad Dawson (27-0, 17 KO, IBF) - 7.000
2. Bernard Hopkins (49-5-1, 32 KO) - 19.116
3. Glen Johnson (49-12-2, 33 KO) - 28.706
4. Adrian Diaconu (25-0, 15 KO, WBC) - 33.000
5. Hugo Garay (32-3, 17 KO, WBA) - 38.059
6. Antonio Tarver (27-5, 19 KO) - 45.156
7. Roy Jones Jr. (53-5, 39 KO) - 46.086
8. Clinton Woods (42-4-1, 24 KO) - 60.596
9. Yusaf Mack (27-2-2, 16 KO) - 80.097
10. Tarvoris Cloud (19-0, 18 KO) - 82.000
Rating Notes …Dawson and Hopkins are the consensus top two fighters in class in whatever order but here’s an interesting fact. In June, it will mark three years since Hopkins beat someone who was a Light Heavyweight before Hopkins got to them…That man, Tarver, gets another crack at Dawson in May. Tarver has never lost a rematch…Cloud and Diaconu are the players to watch in 2009. One, the other, or both could emerge as defining opponents as Dawson continues to cement his claim to the top…Oh, and Zsolt Erdei will likely continue as a historical asterisk with ho-hum competition. Don’t pay too much attention to it.
Super-Middleweight (161-168 lbs.)
1st Quarter Results
1/10: Karoly Balzsay (20-0, 14 KO) UD12 #5 Denis Inkin (34-1, 24 KO, WBO)
02/06: #10 Andre Ward (18-0, 12 KO) UD10 Henry Buchanan (17-2, 12 KO)
02/11: #6 Anthony Mundine (34-4, 23 KO) UD12 Shannan Taylor (48-7-3, 34 KO)
03/13: #2 Lucian Bute (24-0, 19 KO, IBF) TKO4 Fulgencio Zuniga (22-4-1, 19 KO)
03/28: #9 Andre Dirrell (18-0, 13 KO) RTD6 Derrick Findley (13-3, 8 KO)
2nd Quarter Ratings
World Super Middleweight Champion: Vacant
Lineage Descends From: Joe Calzaghe Vacated 09/28/2008
Top Ten Contenders
1. Mikkel Kessler (41-1, 31 KO, WBA) - 4.024
2. Lucian Bute (24-0, 19 KO, IBF) - 7.000
3. Carl Froch (24-0, 19 KO, WBC) - 19.000
4. Jermain Taylor (28-2-1, 17 KO) - 26.081
5. Karoly Balzsay (20-0, 14 KO, WBO) - 31.000
6. Sakio Bika (27-3-2, 17 KO) - 61.125
7. Librado Andrade (27-2, 21 KO) - 66.069
8. Andre Dirrell (18-0, 13 KO) - 67.000
9. Denis Inkin (34-1, 24 KO) - 75.029
10. Andre Ward (18-0, 12 KO) - 76.000
Ratings Notes …Balzsay looked solid against Inkin and may get a test soon against Dirrell in what would be a telling fight for both…Bute will have eyes peeled on April’s Andrade-Vitali Tsypko bout. The winner will be his mandatory…Also in April, Froch-Taylor could be every bit the war Froch’s title winning effort against Jean Pascal was…at the top and in danger of sinking, Kessler’s issues with management and promotion are stopping him from getting into the thick of what is, with or without him, one of the sport’s most exciting classes right now.
Middleweight (155-160 lbs.)
1st Quarter Results
02/21: World Champion Kelly Pavlik (35-1, 31 KO, Lineal/Ring/WBC/WBO) RTD9 #4 Marco Antonio Rubio (43-5-1, 37 KO)
02/21: #9 John Duddy (26-0, 17 KO) UD10 Matt Vanda (39-9, 22 KO)
02/28: #5 Sebastian Sylvester (30-3, 15 KO) KO7 Gaetano Nespro (14-5, 2 KO)
03/14: #1 Arthur Abraham (29-0, 23 KO) UD12 Lujuan Simon (21-1-2, 12 KO)
2nd Quarter Ratings
World Middleweight Champion: Kelly Pavlik (34-1, 30 KO, Lineal/Ring/WBC/WBO)
Successful Defenses: 2
Lineage Descends From: Hopkins TKO12 Trinidad 09/29/2001
Top Ten Contenders
1. Arthur Abraham (29-0, 23 KO, IBF) - 3.000
2. Felix Sturm (31-2-1, 13 KO, WBA) - 8.074
3. Sebastian Sylvester (30-3, 15 KO) - 46.091
4. Khoren Gevor (30-3, 16 KO) - 48.091
5. Anthony Mundine (35-3, 23 KO) - 56.079
6. Daniel Geale (21-0, 13 KO) - 69.000
7. Sebastian Zbik (26-0, 10 KO) - 70.000
8. John Duddy (26-0, 17 KO) - 71.000
9. Marco Antonio Rubio (43-5-1, 37 KO) - 73.112
10. Javier Castillejo (62-8, 42 KO) - 78.114
Rating Notes …Abraham and Pavlik proved again, and should prove again over the summer, that they can beat everyone at 160 except each other. If the chatter comes true, they’ll find the real questions answered in the fall. It’s one of the best fights available in the sport…Sturm is done a disservice by being locked so firmly into a regional market. He could compete with Pavlik or Abraham…Mundine has moved down from 168 but looked less than fantastic against Shannan Taylor…Duddy, Rubio and Castillejo show off a lack of depth in class given recent performances and their viability in this top ten.
Jr. Middleweight (148-154 lbs.)
1st Quarter Results
02/14: #6 Sergio Martinez (44-1-2, 24 KO, WBC interim) D12 #9 Welterweight Kermit Cintron (30-2-1, 27 KO)
02/14: #10 Alfredo Angulo (15-0, 12 KO) TKO5 Cosme Rivera (31-12-2, 22 KO)
03/07: #7 James Kirkland (25-0, 22 KO) TKO6 Joel Julio (34-2, 31 KO)
2nd Quarter Ratings
World Jr. Middleweight Champion: Vacant
Vacant Since: Ronald "Winky" Wright Vacated in 2005
Top Ten Contenders
1. Paul Williams (36-1, 27 KO, WBO Interim) - 8.027
2. Vernon Forrest (41-3, 29 KO, WBC) - 8.068
3. Sergiy Dzinziruk (36-0, 22 KO, WBO) - 15.000
4. Daniel Santos (32-3-1, 23 KO, WBA) - 18.097
5. Sergio Martinez (44-1-2, 24 KO, WBC interim) - 29.043
6. James Kirkland (25-0, 22 KO) - 54.000
7. Alfredo Angulo (15-0, 12 KO) - 61.000
8. Cory Spinks (36-5, 11 KO) - 61.122
9. Verno Phillips (42-11-1, 21 KO) - 67.213
10. Sergio Mora (21-1-1, 5 KO) - 73.065
Ratings Notes …Williams will have a tough choice about where to ply his trade should he beat the returning Winky Wright at Middleweight in April…Forrest and Martinez are overdue to resolve the WBC title issue…Dzinziruk looks headed for a defense against Kirkland in what would be a watershed fight for both…Angulo should factor in the title picture by year’s end as well…Mora appears all but certain for a move to 160 and shot at Middleweight champion Pavlik in June. That should end his flirtation with the title scene for the time being.
Welterweight (141-147 lbs.)
1st Quarter Results
1/17: #4 Andre Berto (24-0, 19 KO, WBC) UD12 #8 Luis Collazo (29-4, 14 KO)
1/24: #5 Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 KO) TKO9 #1 Antonio Margarito (37-6, 27 KO, WBA)
02/21: #2 Miguel Cotto (33-1, 27 KO) TKO5 Michael Jennings (34-2, 16 KO); vacant WBO title
2nd Quarter Ratings
World Welterweight Champion: Vacant
Lineage Descends From: Floyd Mayweather Retirement 6/6/2008
1. Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 KO, WBA Super) - 4.098
2. Miguel Cotto (33-1, 27 KO, WBO) - 8.029
3. Joshua Clottey (35-2, 20 KO, IBF) - 18.054
4. Andre Berto (24-0, 19 KO, WBC) - 24.000
5. Yuri Nuzhnenko (28-0, 13 KO, WBA Regular) - 52.000
6. Luis Collazo (29-4, 14 KO) - 71.121
7. Jesus Soto-Karass (23-3-3, 16 KO) - 74.183
8. Issac Hlatshawyo (28-1-1, 10 KO) - 78.050
9. Carlos Quintana (26-2, 20 KO) - 78.071
10. Zab Judah (37-6, 25 KO) - 81.140
Rating Notes …Antonio Margarito is removed from the ratings and only time will tell whether or not he is ever allowed back in boxing after evidence showed attempted Plaster of Paris elements where legal hand wraps were to be against Shane Mosley. The irony of one known former cheater being the undoing of another is not lost…Cotto-Clottey looks on for the summer and anyone who sleeps on Clottey does so at their peril…Berto versus Jr. Welterweight titlist Juan Urango could see Berto in his second straight fight of the year candidate…Mosley may be the best in class off his knockout of Margarito but he can’t seem to line up a fight he wants and is, at 37, wisely being picky. Let’s hope he doesn’t wait too long as there’s no telling how many bullets he has left to spend at his age.
Jr. Welterweight (136-140 lbs.)
1st Quarter Results
1/30: #10 Juan Urango (21-1-1, 16 KO) UD12 #7 Herman Ngoudjo (17-3, 9 KO); vacant IBF belt
02/07: #3 Andriy Kotelnik (31-2-1, 13 KO, WBA) SD12 #8 Marcos Maidana (25-1, 24 KO)
2nd Quarter Ratings
World Jr. Welterweight Champion: Ricky Hatton (43-1, 31 KO, Lineal/Ring)
Successful Defenses: 5
Lineage Descends From: Tszyu KO2 Judah 11/03/2001
Top Ten Contenders
1. Timothy Bradley (23-0, 11 KO, WBC) - 8.000
2. Kendall Holt (25-2, 13 KO, WBO) - 12.074
3. Andreas Kotelnik (31-2-1, 13 KO, WBA) - 22.074
4. Juan Urango (21-1-1, 16 KO) - 29.065
5. Nate Campbell (33-5-1, 25 KO) - 43.141
6. Junior Witter (37-2-2, 22 KO) - 49.073
7. Paul Malignaggi (25-2, 5 KO) - 65.074
8. Manny Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KO) - 70.075
9. Marcos Maidana (25-1, 24 KO) - 79.038
10. Victor Ortiz (24-1-1, 19 KO) - 82.058
Ratings Notes …This division should be well shook up by the time the third quarter ratings come up…Holt and Bradley square off to start April and the winner should be seen as the most deserving opponent for the winner of Hatton-Pacquiao. Whether most deserving means anything is another matter…Kotelnik looked solid against Maidana and would be live against anyone in the class…Pacquiao is tough to rate right now, with various lists noting him from Lightweight to Welterweight. Given his May showdown with Hatton, his 140 lb. results are counted here even if he has never fought at 140…Nate Campbell, former unified Lightweight titlist, makes his way up and into 140 lb. relevance. He lost his 135 lb. titles on the scale but still outgutted Ali Funeka in a very good fight.
Lightweight (131-135 lbs.)
1st Quarter Results
1/3: Paulus Moses (24-0, 17 KO) UD12 Yusuke Kobori (23-3-1, 12 KO, WBA)
02/14: #2 Nate Campbell (33-5-1, 25 KO, WBA/IBF/WBO) MD12 #8 Ali Funeka (30-2-2, 25 KO); Campbell missed weight – stripped of titles
02/28: World Champion Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KO, Lineal/Ring) TKO9 Juan Diaz (34-2, 17 KO); also for vacant WBA and WBO belts
2nd Quarter Ratings
World Lightweight Champion: Juan Manuel Marquez (49-4-1, 36 KO, Lineal/Ring)
Successful Defenses: 1
Lineage Descends From: Castillo UD12 Lazcano 06/05/2004
Top Ten Contenders
1. Juan Diaz (34-2, 17 KO) - 31.056
2. Joan Guzman (29-0, 17 KO) - 49.000
3. Julio Diaz (36-4, 26 KO) - 50.100
4. Joel Casamayor (36-4-1, 22 KO) - 54.110
5. Paulus Moses (24-0, 17 KO, WBA) - 59.000
6. Ali Funeka (30-1-2, 25 KO) - 62.088
7. Antonio Pitalua (46-3, 40 KO) - 69.061
8. David Diaz (34-2-1, 17 KO) - 71.068
9. Anthony Peterson (28-0, 19 KO) - 74.000
10. Michael Katsidis (24-2, 20 KO) - 78.077
Rating Notes …Marquez defeating Juan Diaz was a worthy war amongst all-time Lightweight classics which is likely to lead the Fight of the Year race for a long while. If anything passes it, all fans should consider themselves blessed…Like Junior Welterweight, this class should be well shaken this quarter with multiple top ten fighters in action the first weekend of April, including the Lightweight title tilt for the vacant WBC belt between Pitalua and undefeated knockout artist Edwin Valero (24-0, 24 KO)…Katsidis is also in tough with former titlist Jesus Chavez…a fight or two from now, Marquez-Diaz II should be an easy choice for all involved.
Jr. Lightweight (127-130 lbs.)
1st Quarter Results
01/24: #10 Robert Guerrero (23-1-1, 16 KO) TKO1 Edel Ruiz (31-22-4, 22 KO)
03/07: #10 Robert Guerrero (23-1-1, 16 KO) No Contest Daud Yordan (23-0, 17 KO)
03/14: #6 Roman Martinez (22-0-1, 13 KO) TKO4 #3 Nicky Cook (29-2, 16 KO, WBO)
03/28: #1 Humberto Soto (47-7-2, 30 KO, WBC) TKO4 Antonio Davis (26-5, 13 KO)
2nd Quarter Ratings
World Jr. Lightweight Champion: Vacant
Lineage Descends From: Manny Pacquiao vacates late 2008
Top Ten Contenders
1. Humberto Soto (47-7-2, 30 KO, WBC) - 7.158
2. Cassius Baloyi (36-3-1, 19 KO, IBF) - 10.087
3. Roman Martinez (22-0-1, 13 KO, WBO) - 21.022
4. Jorge Linares (26-0, 17 KO, WBA) - 26.000
5. Robert Guerrero (23-1-1, 16 KO) - 51.060
6. Urbano Antillon (25-0, 18 KO) - 65.000
7. Mzonke Fana (28-4, 11 KO) - 65.040
8. Sergey Gulyakevich (26-1, 12 KO) - 66.037
9. Malcolm Klassen (23-4-2, 14 KO) - 77.172
10. Kevin Mitchell (27-0, 20 KO) - 79.000
Ratings Notes …This remains a division in search of an identity…Martinez’s knockout of Nicky Cook was the highlight of the Amir Khan-Marco Antonio Barrera show…His mandatory could be Antillon in short order and give the division the war, and face, it needs…Linares is a talent, but that doesn’t mean something forever. Let’s hope we’re not still wondering what if at the end of the year…Mitchell is well positioned to be the latest British idol and is working towards mandatory status against Baloyi…Mix in the solid Guerrero and the rugged Soto and the base of a thrilling class is there. It’s just a matter of launching now.
Featherweight (123-126 lbs.)
1st Quarter Results
1/9: #6 Yuriorkis Gamboa (13-0, 11 KO) TKO10 Roger Gonzalez (27-3, 18 KO)
1/31: #8 Jorge Solis (37-1-2, 27 KO) TKO5 #10 Monty Meza-Clay (28-2, 19 KO)
02/14: #3 Cristobal Cruz (38-11-1, 23 KO) UD12 Cyril Thomas (33-3-4, 10 KO)
02/20: #7 Yuriorkis Gamboa (14-0, 12 KO) KO1 Walter Estrada (35-9, 24 KO)
02/28: #1 Chris John (42-0-2, 22 KO, WBA) D12 #5 Jr. Lightweight Rocky Juarez (28-4-1, 20 KO)
2nd Quarter Ratings
World Featherweight Champion: Vacant
Vacant Since: Manny Pacquiao vacated in 2005
Top Ten Contenders
1. Chris John (42-0-2, 22 KO, WBA) - 4.523
2. Steven Luevano (36-1-1, 15 KO, WBO) - 10.539
3. Cristobal Cruz (38-11-1, 23 KO, IBF) - 27.230
4. Takahiro Aoh (17-1-1, 8 KO, WBC) - 38.079
5. Rocky Juarez (28-4-1, 20 KO) - 46.637
6. Elio Rojas (20-1, 13 KO) - 50.048
7. Yuriorkis Gamboa (14-0, 12 KO) - 59.000
8. Jorge Solis (37-1-2, 27 KO) - 59.071
9. Mario Santiago (19-1-1, 14 KO) - 61.534
10. Orlando Salido (31-10-2, 20 KO) - 88.263
Ratings Notes …John remains what he has been for the better part of three years: the best fighter at 126. Rocky Juarez pushed him farther than anyone since Juan Manuel Marquez and John-Juarez II will be welcome sooner than later….the winner against Luevano would essentially determine the very top of class and fill the Featherweight crown left empty since Manny Pacquiao moved out of the division…In the meantime, Luevano still has unfinished business after his draw last year with Santiago, another welcome rematch…Gamboa’s next foe is being carefully decided after it appears Rojas was ruled out…Aoh avenged a close loss to Larios and, for the sake of the valiant Mexican’s health, hopefully sent him into retirement. Aoh fought a draw with tough Hiroyuki Enoki in 2008 and, yes, that would be another quality rematch.
Jr. Featherweight (119-122 lbs.)
1st Quarter Results
1/3: Toshiaki Nishioka (33-4-3, 20 KO, WBC) TKO12 Genaro Garcia (36-7, 20 KO)
02/21: #10 Rendall Munroe (18-1, 8 KO) UD12 Kiko Martinez (20-2, 15 KO)
3/21: Bernard Dunne (28-1, 15 KO) TKO11 #4 Ricardo Cordoba (34-2-2, 21 KO, WBA)
2nd Quarter Ratings
World Jr. Featherweight Champion: Israel Vasquez (42-4, 31 KO, Lineal/Ring)
Successful Defenses: 1
Lineage Descends From: Vasquez TKO3 Larios 12/03/2005
Top Ten Contenders
1. Celestino Caballero (31-2, 22 KO, WBA Super/IBF) - 4.061
2. Juan Manuel Lopez (24-0, 22 KO, WBO) - 12.000
3. Rafael Marquez (37-5, 33 KO) - 24.119
4. Bernard Dunne (28-1, 15 KO, WBA Regular) - 37.034
5. Toshiaki Nishioka (33-4-3, 20 KO, WBC) - 44.137
6. Jhonny Gonzalez (40-6, 34 KO) - 49.130
7. Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (37-1, 26 KO) - 54.026
8. Daniel Ponce De Leon (35-2, 31 KO) - 57.054
9. Steve Molitor (28-1, 11 KO) - 60.034
10. Rendall Munroe (18-1, 8 KO) - 71.056
Ratings Notes …While the division awaits the returns of Vasquez and Marquez, Dunne and Cordoba gave us a fight every bit as savage if less refined then gems those men put on. If anyone hasn’t seen it yet, it will be available at Maxboxing.com…Gonzalez is overdue for a title shot at 122. A fight with Caballero could be a great idea no one’s talked about yet…Lopez might be the best fighter in the division but don’t look for the older men around him at the top to hurry up and play proving ground.
Bantamweight (116-118 lbs.)
1st Quarter Results
03/12: #1 Hozumi Hasegawa (26-2, 10 KO, WBC) TKO1 Vusi Malinga (18-3-1, 11 KO)
03/14: Nehomar Cermeno (17-0, 10 KO) SD12 #5 Jr. Bantamweight Cristian Mijares (36-5-2, 15 KO); interim WBA belt
03/28: #2 Jr. Bantamweight Fernando Montiel (39-2-1, 29 KO, WBO) KO3 Diego Silva (24-2-3, 12 KO); interim WBO belt
2nd Quarter Ratings
World Bantamweight Champion: Vacant
Vacant Since: Bernardo Pinango vacated March 1987
Top Ten Contenders
1. Hozumi Hasegawa (26-2, 10 KO, WBC) - 4.074
2. Anselmo Moreno (24-1-1, 8 KO, WBA) - 8.060
3. Gerry Penalosa (53-6-2, 36 KO, WBO) - 17.115
4. Joseph Agbeko (26-1, 22 KO, IBF) - 25.038
5. Fernando Montiel (39-2-1, 29 KO, WBO Interim) - 31.062
6. Wladimir Sidorenko (21-1-2, 7 KO) - 47.083
7. Silence Mabuza (22-2, 18 KO) - 54.083
8. Abner Mares (17-0, 10 KO) - 60.000
9. Sasha Bakhtin (22-0, 9 KO) - 69.000
10. Nehomar Cermeno (17-0, 10 KO) - 82.000
Ratings Notes …Whoever is spiking Hasegawa’s sake needs to keep it up. His last three fights have featured blazing, early knockouts and further strengthened his claim as the world’s best Bantamweight. He’s a legitimate pound-for-pound level guy right now…118 is ready to burst right now with the arrival and Montiel and the pending arrival of Darchinyan, who is set for a summer showdown with Agbeko in what should be an epic war…Sidorenko, with only a single loss, is in a bad spot as it looked like Moreno is just the absolute wrong style for him should he get a rematch…Cermeno enters off of a somewhat debated decision against Mijares…This division hasn’t had a unification fight in a generation but it’s finally got a cast which might make one, or more, worth pursuing.
Jr. Bantamweight (113-115 lbs.)
1st Quarter Results
02/07: #1 Vic Darchinyan (32-1-1, 26 KO, WBC/WBA/IBF) RTD11 #6 Jorge Arce (51-5-1, 39 KO)
03/14: #8 Z Gorres (25-2-2, 16 KO) TKO7 Roberto Leyva (25-9-1, 20 KO)
03/24: #6 Junior Flyweight Hugo Cazares (28-5-1, 20 KO) UD11 #9 Roberto Vasquez (27-3, 20 KO)
3/28: Jose Lopez (39-7-2, 32 KO) UD12 Pramuansak Posuwan (45-2-1, 24 KO)
2nd Quarter Ratings
World Jr. Bantamweight Champion: Vic Darchinyan (32-1-1, 26 KO, Lineal/WBC/WBA/IBF)
Successful Defenses: 1
Lineage Descends From: Darchinyan KO 9 Mijares 11/01/08; Fernando Montiel Officially Leaves Division 03/28/09
Top Ten Contenders
1. Nobuo Nashiro (12-1, 7 KO, WBA) - 12.077
2. Alexander Munoz (32-3, 27 KO) - 19.075
3. Jose Lopez (39-7-2, 32 KO, WBO Interim) - 29.167
4. Jorge Arce (51-5-1, 39 KO) - 41.096
5. Z Gorres (29-2-2, 16 KO) - 52.091
6. Hugo Cazares (28-5-1, 20 KO) - 53.162
7. Dimitri Kirilov (29-4-1, 9 KO) - 68.132
8. Raul Martinez (24-0, 14 KO) - 75.000
9. Jose Navarro (26-4, 12 KO) - 80.134
10. Evans Mbamba (16-0, 8 KO) -79.000
Ratings Notes …Given Montiel’s rise to 118 in his last two fights, and now his having a title there, only one man has any claim to the World championship at 115 and he is thus installed. The online encyclopedia at the Cyber Boxing Zone saw fit, which is good enough but for more on this obvious choice, check out Jake Donovan’s take at BoxingScene: https://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=18536…the downside of the established exits of Mijares, Montiel and looming rise of Darchinyan is that Boxing’s best little division is going to get a facelift for the worse. Short of a scale rise for Nonito Donaire, the excellent Jr. Bantamweight run of recent years may well have climaxed…Regardless, kudos go to Lopez for finally capturing a major title belt after past failures. Perseverance can pay…And time will tell if Cazares, who upended former Jr. Flyweight titlist Vasquez, will have the physical tools for natural Jr. Bantams. He’s off to a good start in a knockdown trading win.
Flyweight (109-112 lbs.)
1st Quarter Results
02/07: #3 Omar Narvaez (29-0-2, 18 KO, WBO) TKO10 #9 Rayonta Whitfield (22-1, 11 KO)
2nd Quarter Ratings
World Flyweight Champion: Daisuke Naito (34-2-2, 22 KO, Lineal/WBC)
Successful Defenses: 4
Lineage Descends From: Miguel Canto (1975-79*)
Top Ten Contenders
1. Nonito Donaire (20-1, 13 KO, IBF) - 6.048
2. Omar Narvaez (29-0-2, 18 KO, WBO) - 9.032
3. Denkaosan Kaovichit (46-1-1, 20 KO, WBA) - 12.531
4. Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (71-3-1, 38 KO) - 43.547
5. Takefumi Sakata (33-5-2, 15 KO) - 57.650
6. Julio Cesar Miranda (29-3-1, 22 KO) - 64.132
7. Koki Kameda (19-0, 12 KO) - 65.000
8. Luis Concepcion (16-1, 11 KO) - 71.059
9. Moruti Mthalane (22-2, 15 KO) - 79.083
10. Bernard Inom (19-1, 10 KO) - 82.153
* Canto, a WBC champion regarded by some, including Ring Magazine, as lineal champ as early as 1975 for defeating Shoji Oguma, became clear champion when twice defended against foe Betulio Gonzalez became WBA champ on 08/13/1978
Ratings Notes …Not much action to start the year but Narvaez looked excellent in stopping Whitfield…Wongjonkam and Miranda have a showdown in April which could be a fight of the year candidate…Will this be the year Kameda makes a run at the top? The Japanese superstar has been surprisingly contained since moving to 112…Mthalane deserves a rematch with Donaire but may not get it if Donaire rises to 115. In a trend for the final three weight classes, this is a division which could be much more than it is. There are lots of good fighters, but little clash at the top for the better part of two generations as the lines are drawn politically and geographically against it.
Jr. Flyweight (106-108 lbs.)
1st Quarter Results
03/13: #5 Juan Carlos Reveco (20-1, 10 KO) TKO4 Wilson Simao (11-1, 8 KO)
03/14: #7 Giovanni Segura (20-1-1, 16 KO) TKO4 #3 Cesar Canchila (27-2, 21 KO, WBA interim)
2nd Quarter Ratings
World Jr. Flyweight Champion: Ivan Calderon (31-0, 6 KO, Lineal/ Ring/WBO)
Successful Defenses: 2
Lineage Descends From: Cazares TKO10 Dieppa, 09/30/2006
Top Ten Contenders
1. Ulises Solis (28-1-2, 20 KO, IBF) - 0.067
2. Edgar Sosa (34-5, 18 KO, WBC) - 9.132
3. Giovanni Segura (20-1-1, 16 KO, WBA Interim) - 13.068
4. Brahim Asloum (23-2, 9 KO, WBA) - 27.025
5. Juan Carlos Reveco (20-1, 11 KO) - 41.056
6. Omar Nino (27-3-1, 11 KO) - 49.113
7. Cesar Canchilla (27-1, 21 KO, WBA interim) - 61.069
8. Carlos Tamara (18-4, 13 KO) - 62.182
9. Juanito Rubillar (46-11-7, 22 KO) - 65.227
10. Bert Batawang (28-11-1, 36 KO) - 68.192
Ratings Notes …Caldeon, Solis, and Sosa are as strong a top three as any weight class has right now. Solis defeated Sosa twice early in their careers but how would it look with both primed? Could either catch the nimble Calderon? With answers, 108 could get back to the glory of the Carbajal-Gonzalez years…Segura avenged his sole loss but the stoppage, coming well after the bell, was questionable and merits a third chapter to their rivalry…Is Asloum ever coming back?...Batawang is 37 and still hanging in there. He actually was a contender DURING the Carbajal-Gonzalez years.
Strawweight (105 lbs.)
1st Quarter Results
02/28: #1 Roman Gonzalez (23-0, 20 KO, WBA) MD12 Francisco Rosas (20-6-2, 12 KO)
02/28: #4 Donnie Nietes (24-1-3, 14 KO, WBO) UD12 Erik Ramirez (25-6-1, 19 KO)
03/14: Milan Melindo (18-0, 5 KO) UD10 #10 Muhammad Rachman (62-7-5, 31 KO)
03/27: #8 Yasutaka Kuroki (20-3-1, 14 KO) Draw (TD3) Junichiro Kaneda (19-3-1, 12 KO)
2nd Quarter Ratings
World Strawweight Champion: Vacant
Vacant Since: Ricardo Lopez vacated in October 1999
Top Ten Contenders
1. Roman Gonzalez (23-0, 20 KO, WBA) - 5.000
2. Oleydong Sithsamerchai (30-0, 12 KO, WBC) - 6.000
3. Raul Garcia (25-0, 15 KO, IBF) - 7.019
4. Donnie Nietes (24-1-3, 14 KO, WBO) - 31.089
5. Juan Palacios (25-2, 20 KO, WBC Interim) - 34.074
6. Milan Melindo (18-0, 5 KO) - 36.000
7. Florante Condes (23-4-1, 20 KO) - 37.167
8. Yasutaka Kuroki (20-3, 14 KO) - 52.130
9. Katsunari Takayama (23-3, 9 KO) - 54.116
10. Nkosinathi Joyi (19-0, 15 KO) - 55.000
Ratings Notes …If there are five undefeated fighters in a top ten, three atop the class, it means two things. First, it means there is some quality in class. Second, and disparagingly, it means there is way too little clash…Gonzalez might be the most promising 105 lb. titlist since Ricardo Lopez or, at least, Miguel Barrera…Sithsamerchai is excellent as well and Garcia is exciting to watch…Melindo made a big entry to the class by upsetting Rachman and will likely test one of the top three before the year is out.
Next Ratings: July 2008
Want More: For the shorter version of what to watch in the squared circle, check out the latest installment of BoxingScene’s Pound for Pound Ratings: https://www.boxingscene.com/forums/view.php?pg=pound
Results: Contests featuring rated fighters are noted in the sites regular reviews, typically available in the first week of each month.
Semantics
The scores here are derived from the sources noted above and the list is fairly self-explanatory. However, it must be noted that not all rankings rate a champion in each division. In cases where a lineal champion is also ‘ranked,’ the fighters below them in a given ratings system are elevated one spot. In most cases where a division has interim champions, that champion is assessed as that sanctioning bodies #1 contender and everyone below drops a spot. The number eleven is used as a substitution value for fighters rated by one body but not another, and various other logical substitutions are used when called for. Alphabelt champions are assigned a zero for all organizations (unless the division has more than one ‘champ’ under a given body) because ratings bodies don’t rate each others titlists. Finally, ESPN ratings are not used at 105 and 108 lbs. because those divisions are not rated there extensively enough.
Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com
