By Cliff Rold
The last four weeks saw the status quo maintained in some parts of the scale, major changes in others.
The biggest development probably came at 140 lbs. as boxing sees the development of a potential serious star of the future. Devon Alexander, at only 23, already has two belts, just stopped a massive puncher who’d only ever been down once, and is already calling for a showdown with division leader Timothy Bradley. Something special could be happening where those two are concerned.
Cruiserweight king Tomasz Adamek has formally vacated the Cruiserweight crown in the biggest title move of the week. Former Jr. Welterweight titlist Kendall Holt was stopped in a minor upset, taking himself for now out of any title picture.
There are division’s right now where a contest like Eric Morel-Gerry Penalosa would be about as good a match as could be asked for. Despite their age, both veterans can still compete at a high level and, while their actual contest was no classic, it was a solid effort. Bantamweight isn’t just any division right now. At 118, Morel-Penalosa was just another good match in a class with better fights on tap and the potential to produce some truly great moments if the pieces fall into place this year.
Jr. Bantamweight lingers with a question: Will Nonito Donaire stay in the class to make it happen? Will Top Rank make the rematch the division needs as a catalyst?
Featherweight got a corker of a battle when Bernabe Concepcion pulled the mild upset on Mario Santiago only to be followed with a first title defense for a talented titlist who it would be a mistake to overlook. Jr. Featherweight? They got a new, second generation titlist and a fantastic war on ESPN2.
With all of this, it’s time for a BoxingScene Divisional Ratings and Results Update.
Jr. Welterweight (136-140 lbs.)
Notable Recent Results
02/27: Kaizer Mabuza (23-6-3, 14 KO) RTD6 #3 Kendall Holt (25-4, 13 KO)
03/06: #4 Devon Alexander (20-0, 13 KO, WBC ) TKO8 #3 Juan Urango (22-3-1, 17 KO, IBF )
World Jr. Welterweight Champion: Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KO, Lineal/Ring )
Lineage Descends From: Tszyu KO2 Judah, 11/03/2001
Top Ten Contenders
1. Timothy Bradley (25-0, 11 KO, WBO , 2 Defenses )
2. Devon Alexander (20-0, 13 KO, WBC , 1 Defense; IBF , 0 Defenses)
3. Ricky Hatton ( 45-2, 32 KO)
4. Amir Khan (22-1, 16 KO, WBA , 1 Defense)
5. Nate Campbell (33-5-1, 25 KO)
6. Andriy Kotelnik (31-3-1, 13 KO)
7. Marcos Maidana (27-1, 26 KO)
8. Paulie Malignaggi (27-3, 5 KO)
9. Kaizer Mabuza (23-6-3, 14 KO)
10. Mike Alvarado (26-0, 18 KO)
Ratings Notes… Manny Pacquiao’s decision on whether to hold onto Ring’s Jr. Welterweight title past his fight with Clottey will determine whether or not he stays in the champion’s slot. For now he is less than a factor at 140…Devon Alexander makes a jump to number two and a showdown is brewing with Bradley. Sooner or later, these two are bound to square off and they may just kick off a defining rivalry for the decade ahead. They’re that good…Urango might have stayed in the top ten of a lesser class off the Alexander loss, but this is the m,ost loaded class in the game right now…Kendall Holt’s loss is a big one and shows again just how deep 140 can be. Shakeups are bound to occur again soon …Holt’s conqueror enters at the nine slot and Alvarado crashes the ratings at ten…It looks like the formal “Anyone but Maidana” tour for Amir Khan will kick off with Malignaggi. Why Paulie? Look at the KO numbers…It’s hard to argue against 140 as the best division, top to bottom, in the sport right now.
Previous Champion: Ricky Hatton (2005-09)
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Lineal: Antonio Cervantes - 10
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Other: Julio Cesar Chavez (WBC) - 13
Current Champion – Defenses: 0
Key Upcoming Jr. Welterweight Contests
03/27: #7 Marcos Maidana vs. Victor Cayo (24-0, 16 KO)
05/15: #5 Nate Campbell vs. Victor Ortiz (26-2-1, 21 KO)
05/15: #4 Amir Khan vs. #8 Paulie Malignaggi
Featherweight (123-126 lbs.)
Notable Recent Results
01/23: #3 at 122 lbs. Juan Manuel Lopez (28-0, 25 KO) TKO7 #2 Steven Luevano (37-2-1, 15 KO, WBO )
01/23: #7 Yuriorkis Gamboa (17-0, 15 KO) TKO2 Rogers Mtagwa (26-14-2, 18 KO)
02/13: Bernabe Concepcion (28-3-1, 15 KO) UD10 #9 Mario Santiago (21-2-1, 14 KO)
02/20: #4 Elio Rojas (22-1, 13 KO, WBC) UD12 Guty Espadas Jr. (45-8, 28 KO)
02/27: #10 Daniel Ponce De Leon (38-2, 32 KO) KO3 Orlando Cruz (16-2-1, 7 KO)
World Featherweight Champion: Vacant
Top Ten Contenders
1. Chris John (43-0-2, 22 KO, WBA Super , 12 Defenses )
2. Juan Manuel Lopez (28-0, 25 KO, WBO , 0 Defenses)
3. Cristobal Cruz (39-11-2, 23 KO, IBF , 3 Defenses )
4. Elio Rojas (22-1, 13 KO, WBC , 1 Defense )
5. Steven Luevano (37-2-1, 15 KO)
6. Yuriorkis Gamboa (17-0, 15 KO, WBA, 2 Defenses)
7. Rocky Juarez (28-5-1, 20 KO)
8. Takahiro Aoh (18-2-1, 8 KO)
9. Bernabe Concepcion (28-3-1, 15 KO)
10. Daniel Ponce De Leon (38-2, 32 KO)
* Attell’s record streak varies from 18-22 title defenses by source; the CyberBoxingZone records 20 title defenses while 18 is noted in numerous other historical records
Ratings Notes… Bernabe Concepcion banked rounds and then showed his reserves in standing up to a furious late assault from Santiago in an excellent fight. Concepcion is now poised for a summer showdown with JuanMa Lopez…In what is likely to be another shared bill, Yuriorkis Gamboa may face unified 122 lb. titlist Celestino Caballero this summer as well in the build to an eventual Lopez-Gamboa showdown. Gamboa will take a fight in March, in Germany, in between…Notably absent so far from the plans of Gamboa and Lopez is Chris John. The Indonesian slickster needs to be in the mix before, not after, a Lopez-Gamboa fight if they want to battle for anything more than second best at Featherweight...Rojas showed skill in defeating Guty Espadas and could be a wild card in the division.
Previous Champion: Manny Pacquiao (2003-05, Vacated)
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Lineal: Abe Attell – 18*
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Other: Eusebio Pedroza (WBA) – 19
Key Upcoming Featherweight Contests
03/27: #6 Yuriorkis Gamboa vs. Jonathan Victor Barros (28-0-1, 16 KO)
Jr. Featherweight (119-122 lbs.)
Notable Recent Results
01/11: #2 Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (40-1, 28 KO, WBA) MD12 Satashi Hosono (16-1, 12 KO)
02/26: #7 Antonio Escalante (23-2, 14 KO) UD10 Miguel Roman (28-7, 20 KO)
02/27: #10 Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. (18-0-1, 15 KO) KO4 Marvin Sonsona (14-1-1, 12 KO)
World Jr. Featherweight Champion: Vacant
Top Ten Contenders
1. Celestino Caballero (33-2, 23 KO, WBA , 6 Defenses; WBA Super/IBF , 2 Defenses)
2. Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (40-1, 28 KO, WBA , 1 Defense)
3. Toshiaki Nishioka (35-4-3, 22 KO, WBC , 3 Defenses )
4. Steve Molitor (31-1, 12 KO)
5. Rendall Munroe (20-1, 8 KO)
6. Jeffrey Mathebula (23-2-2, 13 KO)
7. Antonio Escalante (23-2, 14 KO)
8. Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. (18-0-1, 15 KO, WBO , 0 Defenses)
9. Satashi Hosono (16-1, 12 KO)
10. Takalani Ndlovu (30-5, 18 KO)
Ratings Notes… With Juan Manuel Lopez gone, Caballero soon to follow, and previous #8 Bernard Dunne announcing his retirement, there’s room for a new face at number ten and a chance to remake the division for everyone else…Escalante survived a thriller with Roman and is in line to be the mandatory for Kratingdaenggym. That’s a serious Fight of the Year possibility before the opening bell…Vazquez Jr. moves up and joins his father who once held a title in this division…Nishioka also has a tough mandatory looming with #5 Munroe while Molitor-Ndlovu will fill the IBF’s current vacancy….There are real fights happening here. What happens after the first batch will decide if there’s anything more in the evolving Jr. Featherweight world.
Previous Champion: Israel Vasquez (2007-09, Vacated)
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Lineal or Other: Wilfredo Gomez - 17
Key Upcoming Jr. Featherweight Contests
03/27: #4 Steve Molitor vs. #10 Takalani Ndlovu (30-5, 18 KO); vacant IBF title
04/23: #5 Rendall Munroe vs. Victor Terrazas (25-1-1, 13 KO)
Bantamweight (116-118 lbs.)
Notable Recent Results
02/13: #7 Fernando Montiel (40-2-2, 30 KO, WBO) KO1 Ciso Morales (14-1, 8 KO)
02/13: Eric Morel (42-2, 21 KO) SD12 Gerry Penalosa (54-8-2, 36 KO); interim WBO belt
World Bantamweight Champion: Vacant
Top Ten Contenders
1. Hozumi Hasegawa (28-2, 12 KO, WBC , 9 Defenses )
2. Anselmo Moreno (28-1-1, 10 KO, WBA , 5 Defenses )
3. Yonnhy Perez (20-0, 14 KO, IBF , 0 Defenses)
4. Joseph Agbeko (27-2, 22 KO)
5. Nehomar Cermeno (19-0, 11 KO, WBA interim )
6. Fernando Montiel (40-2-2, 30 KO, WBO , 1 Defense)
7. Wladimir Sidorenko (21-2-2, 7 KO)
8. Abner Mares (19-0, 12 KO)
9. Sasha Bakhtin (24-0, 11 KO)
10. Eric Morel (42-2, 21 KO, WBO interim )
Ratings Notes… Currently boxing’s best little division, Bantamweight stayed interesting in setting up a probably showdown between Montiel and Morel…Montiel switches slots with the inactive Sidorenko off the strength of his latest win. He spoke before the Ciso Morales fight about wanting Hasegawa but may have other business first…Morel won a decision which is ripe for debate over Penalosa in a scorer’s nightmare pitting controlled boxing against stronger punching…Perez-Mares, set for the undercard of Israel Vasquez-Rafael Marquez IV, is the hidden gem of 2010’s first half so far. It’s an outstanding match with FOTY potential. The winner should emerge as a star…Anselmo Moreno versus Nehomar Cermeno appears imminent in another excellent match…The division leader, Hasegawa, currently has nothing scheduled but if his passport could be found he’d be a welcome addition to any ring outside Japan.
Previous Champion: Bernardo Pinango (1986-87, Vacated)
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Lineal: Manuel Ortiz - 15
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Other: Orlando Canizales (IBF) – 16
Key Upcoming Bantamweight Contests
03/27: #2 Anselmo Moreno vs. #5 Nehomar Cermeno
05/22: #3 Yohnny Perez vs. #8 Abner Mares
Jr. Bantamweight (113-115 lbs.)
Notable Recent Results
01/30: #8 Jorge Arce (53-6-1, 40 KO) TD7 Angky Angkota (23-5, 14 KO); vacant WBO belt
02/13: #1 Nonito Donaire (23-1, 15 KO, WBA interim ) KO3 Manuel Vargas (26-5-1, 11 KO)
03/06: World Champion Vic Darchinyan (34-2-1, 27 KO) UD12 Rodrigo Guerrero (13-2-1, 9 KO)
World Jr. Bantamweight Champion: Vic Darchinyan (34-2-1, 27 KO, Lineal/WBC/WBA Super )
Lineage Descends From: Darchinyan KO 9 Mijares 11/01/08; Fernando Montiel Officially Leaves Division 03/28/09
Top Ten Contenders
1. Nonito Donaire (23-1, 15 KO, WBA interim )
2. Nobuo Nashiro (13-1-1, 8 KO, WBA Regular , 2 Defenses )
3. Simphiwe Nongqayi (16-0, 6 KO, IBF , 0 Defenses)
4. Hugo Cazares (30-6-2, 22 KO)
5. Kohei Kono (24-4, 8 KO)
6. Drian Francisco (18-0-1, 14 KO)
7. Daigo Nakahiro (21-2, 8 KO)
8. Jorge Arce (53-6-1, 40 KO, WBO , 0 Defenses)
9. Raul Martinez (25-1, 15 KO)
10. Muvhuso Nedzanani (22-1-3, 13 KO)
Ratings Notes… Nonito Donaire did what he was supposed to against a much smaller late substitute. His originally planned foe was at least bigger, but Gerson Guerrero is well past his best and wasn’t much of a challenge either…that said, if Donaire does not move up the scale, the WBA ratings could produce an unofficial tournament of epic proportions…Donaire-Darchinyan II is a must and Nashiro is poised for a rematch of last year’s scintillating draw with Cazares. IF the WBA rules were followed to a tee, the winner’s could and should face off…Jorge Arce holding a belt is evidence of why belts are always good for punchlines. After losing to Darchinyan and then Nongqayi, he’s now a “world” champ? The laughs just keep on coming. It’s like first grade soccer trophies sometimes.
Previous Champion: Masamori Tokuyama (2005-06, Retires)
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Lineal: Masamori Tokuyama - 8
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Other: Khaosai Galaxy (WBA) - 19
Current Champion – Defenses: 2 - Lineal; 3 - WBC/WBA
Key Upcoming Jr. Bantamweight Contests
05/08: #2 Nobuo Nashiro vs. #4 Hugo Cazares
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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
