By Cliff Rold
Over the last four weeks, many of the best of the sport from top (Heavyweight) to bottom (105 lbs.) have seen action and to say the face of boxing has changed…
…okay, that’s overstatement. But there have certainly been some changes in the ratings along with new titlists in four weight divisions, a pair of impressive Heavyweight KOs, and a still hotly debated beginning to Stage Two of the Super Six tournament.
Oh, and the pound for pound king put over 50,000 in Texas Stadium.
With all of this, it’s time for a BoxingScene Divisional Ratings and Results Update.
Heavyweight (201 lbs.-Unlimited)
Notable Recent Results
03/13: #2 Alexander Povetkin (19-0, 14 KO) TKO5 Javier Mora (22-6-1, 18 KO)
03/20: World Champion Wladimir Klitschko (54-3, 48 KO) KO12 #3 Eddie Chambers (35-2, 18 KO)
04/03: #3 David Haye (24-1, 22 KO, WBA) TKO9 #9 John Ruiz (44-9-1, 30 KO)
World Champion: Wladimir Klitschko (54-3, 48 KO, Lineal/Ring/IBF/WBO)
Lineage Descends From: W. Klitschko RTD9 Chagaev 06/20/2009
Top Ten Contenders
1. Vitali Klitschko (39-2, 37 KO, WBC, 3 Defenses)
2. David Haye (24-1, 22 KO, WBA, 1 Defense)
3. Alexander Povetkin (19-0, 14 KO)
4. Eddie Chambers (35-2, 18 KO)
5. Ruslan Chagaev (25-1-1, 17 KO)
6. Nicolay Valuev (50-2, 34 KO)
7. Cristobal Arreola (28-1, 25 KO)
8. Alexander Dimitrenko (29-1, 19 KO)
9. Tomasz Adamek (40-1, 27 KO)
10. Denis Boystov (27-0, 22 KO)
Rating Notes…Wladimir Klitschko extended his personal winning streak to twelve, showing off the boxing ability which makes him so effective and, with a single left hook to Eddie Chambers head, frightening when he catches someone. This is not an easy man to beat…Wlad’s IBF mandatory is Povetkin, whose camp may be dragging their feet. A pro almost five years, and already in his 30s, one can wonder what Povetkin is waiting for. The answers are in the highlights. The Russian has looked in great shape since coming under the tutelage of Teddy Atlas and his combination punching is improving. Atlas is going to make his man ready for a real run at the throne…Vitali will be killing time later this spring with a woeful opponent. Nothing to see there. Moving along…David Haye’s stopped John Ruiz for the only time since 1996. Combined with a win over Valuev his last time out, and Povetking maudlin opposition since early 2008, Hay jumps a slot to number two...2010 could be a renaissance year for this division in terms of action. The crowds the Klitschko’s generate indicate a better time than given credit for.
Previous Champion: Lennox Lewis (2001-03, Retired)
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Lineal or Other: Joe Louis - 25
Current Champion – Defenses: 1 – Lineal; 4 – IBF; 4 – IBF/WBO
Key Upcoming Heavyweight Contests
04/24: #7 Chris Arreola vs. #9 Tomasz Adamek
05/29: #1 Vitali Klitschko vs. Albert Sosnowski (45-2-1, 27 KO)
Cruiserweight (176-200 lbs.)
Notable Recent Results
02/22: #10 Denis Lebedev (20-0, 15 KO) KO4 Ignacio Esparza (16-2, 12 KO)
03/13: #2 Marco Huck (28-1, 21 KO, WBO) KO3 Adam Richards (23-3, 15 KO)
World Cruiserweight Champion: Vacant
Vacant Since: Tomasz Adamek Vacated 02/23/2010
Top Ten Contenders
1. Steve Cunningham (22-2, 11 KO)
2. Marco Huck (28-1, 21 KO, WBO, 2 Defenses)
3. Ola Afolabi (14-2-3, 6 KO)
4. Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (42-2-1, 31 KO)
5. Victor Ramirez (15-2, 12 KO)
6. Grigory Drozd (32-1, 23 KO)
7. Giacobbe Fragomeni (26-2-1, 10 KO)
8. Danny Green (28-3, 25 KO)
9. Troy Ross (23-1, 16 KO)
10. Denis Lebedev (20-0, 15 KO)
Rating Notes… The dissolution of a proposed Cunningham-Matt Godfrey fight for a vacant IBF belt looks like it will lead instead to Cunningham and Contender Season Four winner Troy Ross. Ross may be the best winner the show ever produced and that’s a stellar fight…the winner versus Huck, whom Cunningham beat a few years ago in a good fight, would be welcome…Fragomeni and Wlodarczyk are set for a rematch, the vacant WBC belt up for grabs. Their first fight was action packed…WBA titlist Guillermo Jones hasn’t fought in well over a year. It’s not sure if anyone else has noticed, including the WBA.
Previous Champion: Tomasz Adamek (2007-09)
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Lineal: Carlos DeLeon - 4
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Other: Johnny Nelson (WBO) - 13
Current Champion – Defenses: 2 – Lineal/Ring/IBF
Key Upcoming Cruiserweight Contests
04/14: #8 Danny Green vs. Manny Siaca (22-6, 19 KO)
04/30: #10 Denis Lebedev vs. Steve Herelius (19-1-1, 11 KO)
05/01: #2 Marco Huck vs. Brian Minto (34-3, 21 KO)
05/15: #4 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk vs. #7 Giacobbe Fragomeni
Light Heavyweight (169-175 lbs.)
Notable Recent Results
04/03: #5 Bernard Hopkins (51-5-1, 32 KO) UD12 Roy Jones Jr. (54-7, 40 KO)
World Light Heavyweight Champion: Vacant
Vacant Since: Zsolt Erdei Vacated 11/14/2009
Top Ten Contenders
1. Chad Dawson (29-0, 17 KO, WBC interim)
2. Jean Pascal (25-1, 16 KO, WBC, 2 Defenses)
3. Tavoris Cloud (20-0, 18 KO, IBF, 0 Defenses)
4. Glen Johnson (50-13-2, 34 KO)
5. Bernard Hopkins (51-5-1, 32 KO)
6. Antonio Tarver (27-6, 19 KO)
7. Adrian Diaconu (26-2, 15 KO)
8. Gabriel Campillo (19-3, 6 KO)
9. Juergen Braehmer (35-2, 28 KO, WBO, 1 Defense)
10. Karo Murat (21-0, 13 KO)
Rating Notes… Chad Dawson remains atop the ratings with a chance to solidify his claim as the king of the Light Heavyweights against Jean Pascal this summer …Tavoris Cloud, a thrilling if far too inactive young banger, has a real fight on his hands with Glen Johnson looming as a mandatory…Hopkins proved dropping him the right call in the Jones rematch where he truly looked his age. A living legend, Hopkins place in time is sealed so if he wants to cash in some easy ones, it’s hard to argue against it…Murat is undefeated and already holds a majority decision win over number eight…Campillo had his WBA belt taken from him in the rematch with Beibut Shumenov but did not lose in any objective sense and stays right where he was in the ratings considering the strength of his previous Shumenov win and win over Hugo Garay…After vacating at Light Heavyweight, Zsolt Erdei has elected to return to the division, probably for Braehmer; he’ll have to earn his rating back but, given the way he’s matched, is unlikely to ever see the lineal title again…Antonio Tarver may soon be on his way to Cruiserweight.
Previous Champion: Zsolt Erdei (2004-09)
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Lineal: Bob Foster/Dariusz Michalczewski - 14
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Other: Dariusz Michalczewski (WBO) - 23
Key Upcoming Light Heavyweight Contests
08/14: #1 Chad Dawson vs. # Jean Pascal
Super Middleweight (161-168 lbs.)
Notable Recent Results
03/27: #7 Andre Dirrell (19-1, 13 KO) DQ11 #3 Arthur Abraham (31-1, 25 KO
World Super Middleweight Champion: Vacant
Top Ten Contenders
1. Lucian Bute (25-0, 20 KO, IBF, 4 Defenses)
2. Andre Ward (21-0, 13 KO, WBA, 0 Defenses)
3. Carl Froch (26-0, 20 KO, WBC, 2 Defenses)
4. Andre Dirrell (19-1, 13 KO)
5. Mikkel Kessler (42-2, 32 KO)
6. Arthur Abraham (31-1, 25 KO)
7. Sakio Bika (28-3-2, 19 KO)
8. Librado Andrade (28-3, 21 KO)
9. Robert Steiglitz (37-2, 23 KO, WBO, 1 Defense)
10. Eduard Gutknect (18-0, 7 KO)
Ratings Notes… Andre Dirrell turned in a gem for most of the night before Arthur Abraham cost himself any chance at a comeback with a foul right. It was a redemptive victory for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Bronze Medalist despite the awkward end. A showdown with Olympic team mate Andre Ward looms in the third round of the Super Six…Dirrell pops up to number three while Abraham, who had a limited body of work at 168 anyways, drops below former titlist Kessler…Staying on the tournament, at its beginning, four men entered undefeated. Two have seen their “0” go with five fights left in the round robin. Can anyone get through unscathed?...Lucian Bute’s hold on the number one slot is going to be challenged and he’s essentially competing against men he can’t fight for the foreseeable future at 168…Allan Green just misses the top ten cut here but, come June, has a chance to upset a Ward most would see as the Super Six favorite right now…Froch-Kessler is the next bit of high drama and it’s a pick ‘em fight based on each man’s recent form.
Previous Champion: Joe Calzaghe (2006-08, Vacated)
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Lineal: Chong Pal Park - 10
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Other: Tie – Joe Calzaghe (WBO)/Sven Ottke (IBF) - 21
Key Upcoming Super Middleweight Contests
04/17: #1 Lucian Bute vs. Edison Miranda (33-4, 29 KO)
04/24: #3 Carl Froch vs. #5 Mikkel Kessler
06/19: #2 Andre Ward vs. Allan Green (29-1, 20 KO)
Welterweight (141-147 lbs.)
Notable Recent Results
03/13: #2 Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38, WBO) UD12 #5 Joshua Clottey (35-4, 20 KO)
World Welterweight Champion: Vacant
Top Ten Contenders
1. Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 KO, WBA Super, 0 Defenses)
2. Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KO, WBO, 0 Defenses)
3. Miguel Cotto (34-2, 27 KO)
4. Floyd Mayweather Jr. (40-0, 25 KO)
5. Joshua Clottey (35-4, 20 KO)
6. Andre Berto (25-0, 19 KO, WBC, 3 Defenses)
7. Luis Collazo (30-4, 15 KO)
8. Vyacheslav Senchenko (30-0, 20 KO, WBA Regular, 1 Defense)
9. Carlos Quintana (27-2, 21 KO)
10. Jan Zaveck (28-1, 16 KO, IBF, 0 Defenses)
Ratings Notes… With over 700,000 pay-per-view sales and 50,000 butts in the seats, Pacquiao-Clottey was the perhaps most absurdly successful stay busy, consolation prize fight ever…Berto-Quintana is a strong way to pass the time between superstars and an interesting test. Quintana is a spoiler and Berto is a talent with question marks remaining…Given his position as the last man to hold the real Welterweight title, and Mosley’s standing as a deserving number one, the winner of that anticipated May 1st collision will, and should be, seen as the division’s reigning champion here…Oh, and the fight should be pretty awesome too. Only been waiting for this one for over a decade.
Previous Champion: Floyd Mayweather (2006-08, Retired)
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Lineal or Other: Henry Armstrong - 18
Key Upcoming Welterweight Contests
04/09: #10 Jan Zaveck vs. Rodolfo Martinez (36-3-1, 13 KO)
04/10: #6 Andre Berto vs. #9 Carlos Quintana
05/01: #1 Shane Mosley vs. #4 Floyd Mayweather
Jr. Welterweight (136-140 lbs.)
Notable Recent Results
03/06: #4 Devon Alexander (20-0, 13 KO, WBC) TKO8 #3 Juan Urango (22-3-1, 17 KO, IBF)
03/27: #7 Marcos Maidana (28-1, 27 KO) KO6 Victor Cayo (24-1, 16 KO)
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. Marcos Maidana (28-1, 27 KO)
4. Ricky Hatton (45-2, 32 KO)
5. Amir Khan (212-1, 16 KO, WBA, 1 Defense)
6. Nate Campbell (33-5-1, 25 KO)
7. Andriy Kotelnik (31-3-1, 13 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… With his third straight knockout win since a narrow, split decision loss to Kotelnik in early 2009, Maidana made a strong case to jump up the number three slot. Making the case stronger is the evident ducking of Maidana going on with Team Amir Khan…Alexander-Maidana has been floated as a possibility and, okay, sounds great…Hatton slips with inactivity but still has too much resume to be passed by a Khan whose one significant win at 140 over Kotelnik is still just that: one win. He’ll have a chance to improve on that shortly with the skilled Malignaggi…Bradley will flirt with Welterweight over the summer and Pacquiao can be expected to formally relinquish his claims at 140 soon as well and yet the depth of the class is such that it wouldn’t really hurt that much if both were lost.
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
05/15: #5 Nate Campbell vs. Victor Ortiz (26-2-1, 21 KO)
05/15: #4 Amir Khan vs. #8 Paulie Malignaggi
Lightweight (131-135 lbs.)
Notable Recent Results
02/06: #2 Edwin Valero (27-0, 27 KO, WBC) vs. #10 Antonio DeMarco (23-2-1, 17 KO)
03/13: #1 at Jr. Lightweight Humberto Soto (51-7-2, 32 KO) UD12 David Diaz (35-3-1, 17 KO); vacant WBC title
World Lightweight Champion: Juan Manuel Marquez (50-5-1, 37 KO, Lineal/Ring/WBA Super/WBO)
Lineage Descends From: Castillo UD12 Lazcano, 06/05/2004
Top Ten Contenders
1. Edwin Valero (27-0, 27 KO)
2. Juan Diaz (35-3, 17 KO)
3. Ali Funeka (30-3-3, 25 KO)
4. Michael Katsidis (26-2, 21 KO, WBO interim)
5. Rolando Reyes (31-4-2, 20 KO)
6. Paulus Moses (25-0, 17 KO, WBA, 1 Defense)
7. Anthony Peterson (29-0, 19 KO)
8. Humberto Soto (51-7-2, 32 KO)
9. Miguel Acosta (26-3-2, 20 KO, WBA interim)
10. Antonio DeMarco (23-2-1, 17 KO)
Rating Notes… Edwin Valero remains in the number one slot despite having vacated the Lightweight belt of the WBC. It is anticipated he is rising to 140 but it has not officially happened yet…Soto enters at nine having won the vacant belt. His mandatory is the man rated directly in front of him and chances are Soto’s title reign lasts only until he faces Peterson...chatter abounds of a rematch between champion Marquez and Juan Diaz, 2009’s Fight of the Year. It’s just the thing to kick some life into a stalled 135 lb. class…Ali Funeka remains high in the ratings despite a loss to a Joan Guzman who showed up two weight classes heavy for what was to be a Lightweight title fight. The unprofessional Guzman is bumped from the ratings altogether…Katsidis is in real danger with undefeated Kevin Mitchell coming in May. Mitchell is well positioned to fill some of the star void in British boxing.
Previous Champion: Joel Casamayor (2006-08)
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Lineal: Joe Gans – 14*
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Other: Artur Grigorian (WBO) - 17
Current Champion – Defenses: 1 – Lineal/Ring; 0 - WBA/WBO
*Gans defenses were spread over two reigns but he never lost the title in the ring, electing to vacate the title in a short trip to Welterweight before returning to reclaim the crown. Roberto Duran can also be credited with the record at 12 in a single title reign.
Key Upcoming Lightweight Contests
05/15: #4 Michael Katsidis vs. Kevin Mitchell (31-0, 23 KO); interim WBO title
Jr. Lightweight (127-130 lbs.)
Notable Recent Results
01/11: Takashi Uchiyama (14-0, 11 KO) TKO12 #4 Juan Carlos Salgado (21-1-1, 15 KO, WBA)
02/06: #8 at Featherweight Jorge Solis (38-2-2, 28 KO) KO7 Likar Ramos (21-3, 15 KO); interim WBA belt
World Jr. Lightweight Champion: Vacant
Top Ten Contenders
1. Robert Guerrero (25-1-1, 17 KO, IBF, 0 Defenses)
2. Roman Martinez (23-0-1, 14 KO, WBO, 1 Defense)
3. Takashi Uchiyama (14-0, 11 KO, WBA, 0 Defenses)
4. Malcolm Klassen (24-5-2, 15 KO)
5. Cassius Baloyi (37-4-1, 19 KO)
6. Mzonke Fana (29-4, 12 KO)
7. Vitali Tajbert (19-1, 6 KO, WBC, 0 Defenses)
8. Juan Carlos Salgado (21-1-1, 15 KO)
9. Jorge Solis (38-2-2, 28 KO, interim WBA)
10. Martin Honorio (28-4-1, 14 KO)
Ratings Notes… With the exit of Humberto Soto to Lightweight, and the potential rise of Guerrero before the year is out, Jr. Lightweight’s struggle for identity increases in difficulty. There are good fighters here, but most are regional draws at best. Uchiyama-Martinez would rock, but how many people know that? Interest in the Jr. Lightweights in any sort of big stage sense is on hold until a new star emerges…that probably waits until a star is made at Featherweight and then changes their diet.
Previous Champion: Manny Pacquiao (2008, Vacated)
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Lineal: Brian Mitchell – 13
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Other: Brian Mitchell (WBA) - 12
Key Upcoming Jr. Lightweight Contests
04/24: #2 Roman Martinez vs. Ricky Burns (27-2, 7 KO)
05/08: #10 Jorge Solis vs. Mario Santiago (21-2-1, 14 KO)
05/17: #3 Takashi Uchiyama vs. Angel Granados (18-8, 8 KO)
05/29: #8 Vitali Tajbert vs. Humberto Gutierrez (26-2-1, 19 KO)
Featherweight (123-126 lbs.)
Notable Recent Results
03/27: #6 Yuriorkis Gamboa (18-0, 15 KO, WBA) UD12 Jonathan Victor Barros (28-1-1, 16 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. Yuriorkis Gamboa (18-0, 15 KO, WBA, 3 Defenses)
6. Steven Luevano (37-2-1, 15 KO)
7. Takahiro Aoh (18-2-1, 8 KO)
8. Bernabe Concepcion (28-3-1, 15 KO)
9. Daniel Ponce De Leon (38-2, 32 KO)
10. Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo (33-0, 19 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… Yuriorkis Gamboa continues to win and continues to defend a WBA belt he didn’t win from Chris John. Boxing brings the silly like no other sport but there’s also plenty of serious. For instance, Gamboa and unified Jr. Feather titlist Celestino Caballero is a serious fight and possible for the summer…Lopez, the man with whom dreams of future superfight paydays reside, has a serious fight of his own coming up. Let’s hope Concepcion keeps all his punches fair. He didn’t in his first title shot…The division’s best fighter, John, is sort of lost in the shuffle and has nothing captivated on tap wasting one of boxing’s unsung best...Maybe he can pray for whoever emerges from May’s Israel Vasquez-Rafael Marquez IV.
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
07/10: #2 Juan Manuel Lopez vs. #8 Bernabe Concepcion
Jr. Featherweight (119-122 lbs.)
Notable Recent Results
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)
03/27: #4 Steve Molitor (32-1, 12 KO) UD12 #10 Takalani Ndlovu (30-6, 18 KO); vacant IBF title
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 (32-1, 12 KO, IBF, 0 Defenses)
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. Kohei Ohba (27-0-1, 11 KO)
Ratings Notes… What’s left if and when Caballero leaves? Probably more than is recognized now…Kratingdaenggym is a necessary export out of Thailand, one of the most improved and continually exciting in the game…Vasquez Jr. looks like he might be ready to really live up to the old man…Molitor showed he was still the better of Ndlovu and will one day get a chance to show he can do better in the spotlight than he did against Caballero in 2008…122 lbs. hasn’t produced a Fight of the Year candidate yet in 2010. It’s been a lock for at least one for most of the last decade-plus. Nine months remain on the calendar.
Previous Champion: Israel Vasquez (2007-09, Vacated)
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Lineal or Other: Wilfredo Gomez - 17
Key Upcoming Jr. Featherweight Contests
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
03/27: #2 Anselmo Moreno (28-1-1, 10 KO, WBA) SD12 #5 Nehomar Cermeno (19-1, 11 KO)
World Bantamweight Champion: Vacant
Top Ten Contenders
1. Hozumi Hasegawa (28-2, 12 KO, WBC, 9 Defenses)
2. Anselmo Moreno (29-1-1, 10 KO, WBA, 6 Defenses)
3. Yonnhy Perez (20-0, 14 KO, IBF, 0 Defenses)
4. Joseph Agbeko (27-2, 22 KO)
5. Nehomar Cermeno (19-1, 11 KO)
6. Fernando Montiel (40-2-2, 30 KO, WBO, 1 Defense)
7. Wladimir Sidorenko (21-2-2, 7 KO)
8. Abner Mares (20-0, 13 KO)
9. Sasha Bakhtin (24-0, 11 KO)
10. Eric Morel (42-2, 21 KO, WBO interim)
Ratings Notes… Hasegawa and Montiel are the first reigning titlists to square off at 118 since, like, disco. Due to politics, only Montiel can leave with a pair of belts but so what? The winner is a strong step towards truly proving they are the best in class…Moreno and Cermeno may be headed towards a rematch after a close and reportedly hotly contested affair. Moreno is a beautiful technician who evokes the great Pernell Whitaker in style…Mares and Perez, former amateur rivals, might just produce a Fight of the Year contender in May…It doesn’t get much better than Bantamweight right now.
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
04/30: #1 Hozumi Hasegawa vs. #6 Fernando Montiel
05/22: #3 Yohnny Perez vs. #8 Abner Mares
Flyweight (109-112 lbs.)
Notable Recent Results
02/07: #10 Daiki Kameda (16-2, 11 KO) UD12 #2 Denkaosan Kaovitchit (48-2-1, 20 KO, WBA)
02/24: #1 Omar Narvaez (31-0-2, 19 KO, WBO) UD10 Santiago Acosta (16-5-2, 7 KO); non-title
02/27: #9 Rayonta Whitfield (24-1, 12 KO) TKO9 Sergio Espinoza (16-7-1, 5 KO)
03/27: #3 Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (75-3-1, 39 KO) MD12 World Champion Koki Kameda (22-1, 14 KO, Lineal/WBC)
World Flyweight Champion: Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (75-3-1, 39 KO, Lineal/Ring/WBC)
Lineage Descends From: Canto MD15 Oguma, 01/08/1975*
Top Ten Contenders
1. Omar Narvaez (31-0-2, 19 KO, WBO, 16 Defenses)
2. Koki Kameda (22-1, 14 KO)
3. Daisuke Naito (35-3-2, 22 KO)
4. Daiki Kameda (16-2, 11 KO¸WBA¸0 Defenses)
5. Denkaosan Kaovichit (48-1-1, 20 KO)
6. Moruti Mthalane (25-2, 16 KO, IBF, 0 Defenses)
7. Julio Cesar Miranda (30-5-1, 23 KO)
8. Luis Concepcion (19-1, 14 KO, WBA interim)
9. Rayonta Whitfield (24-1, 12 KO)
10. Jesus Jimenez (28-5, 20 KO)
* Canto, a WBC champion, was 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… Wonjongkam regains the world title almost three years after losing it to rival Daisuke Naito while Koki Kameda learns what it’s like to take an official “L.” Kameda can rebound. Wonjongkam has and earned the right to be called a certain future Hall of Famer…The Thai battler is likely to have a first defense against former longtime 108 lb. titlist Edgar Sosa. He’s finding a dramatically strong late run of opposition…If they go with some ‘revenge of the brother’ type stuff, could Wonjongkam find a unification contest down the road? It’s been decades since one of those at Flyweight…Is Omar Narvaez done at Flyweight? He’s taking his second straight non-title affair and at 34 could reasonably be finding 112 hard to make. Time will tell.
Previous Champion: Koki Kameda (2009-10)
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Lineal or Other: Pongsaklek Wonjongkam – 17
Current Champion – Defenses: 0 - Lineal/Ring/WBC
Key Upcoming Flyweight Contests
04/22: #8 Luis Concepcion vs. Eric Ortiz (32-9-3, 21 KO)
05/09: #3 Daisuke Naito vs. Suriyan Por Cokchai (13-4-1, 3 KO)
05/15: #1 Omar Narvaez vs. Evert Briceno (32-5-1, 26 KO); non-title
Jr. Flyweight (106-108 lbs.)
Notable Recent Results
02/20: #1 Giovanni Segura (23-1-1, 19 KO, WBA) TKO3 Walter Tello (14-4, 6 KO)
02/27: #3 Rodel Mayol (26-4-2, 20 KO, WBC) Tech. Draw3 #7 Omar Nino (28-3-2, 11 KO)
03/27: #6 Ulises Sosa (30-2-2, 21 KO) RTD6 Bert Batawang (45-15-3, 37 KO)
03/27: #1 Giovanni Segura (24-1-1, 20 KO, WBA) RTD4 Ronald Ramos (28-8-3, 14 KO); non-title
World Jr. Flyweight Champion: Ivan Calderon (33-0-1, 6 KO, Lineal/ Ring/WBO)
Lineage Descends From: Cazares TKO10 Dieppa, 09/30/2006
Top Ten Contenders
1. Giovanni Segura (24-1-1, 20 KO, WBA, 3 Defenses)
2. Carlos Tamara (21-4, 15 KO, IBF, 0 Defenses)
3. Rodel Mayol (26-4-2, 20 KO, WBC, 0 Defenses)
4. Edgar Sosa (37-6, 21 KO)
5. Brian Viloria (26-3, 15 KO)
6. Ulises Solis (30-2-2, 21 KO)
7. Juan Carlos Reveco (22-1, 12 KO, interim WBA)
8. Omar Nino (28-3-2, 11 KO)
9. Edren Dapudong (17-2, 9 KO)
10. Johnriel Casimero (14-0, 8 KO, interim WBO)
Ratings Notes… Ivan Calderon is in for a tough mandatory with Casimero. Get past it and wouldn’t a showdown with Segura be something? Slickster from Puerto Rico versus wild puncher from Mexico? It’s been said, somewhere, that such a combination can make a good fight…Mayol and Nino are likely to have a rematch after the controversial end of their fight…Tamara, despite a big win over Viloria earlier this year, will probably have to be carefully managed to keep his belt. It will all be fun while it lasts…Viloria may well be headed to Flyweight.
Previous Champion: Hugo Cazares (2006-07)
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Lineal: Saman Sorjaturong - 10
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Other: Myung-Woo Yuh (WBA) – 17
Current Champion: 5 – Lineal/Ring/WBO
Key Upcoming Jr. Flyweight Contests
05/29: World Champion Ivan Calderon vs. #10 Johnriel Casimero
Strawweight (105 lbs.)
Notable Recent Results
02/01: #8 Yasutaka Kuroki (23-3-1, 15 KO) TKO6 Takumi Suda (10-6-2, 2 KO)
03/26: #7 Nkosinathi Joyi (21-0, 15 KO) UD12 #3 Raul Garcia (27-1, 16 KO, IBF)
03/27: #2 Oleydong Sithsamerchai (34-0, 12 KO, WBC) UD12 #8 Yasutaka Kuroki (23-4-1, 15 KO)
World Strawweight Champion: Vacant
Vacant Since: Ricardo Lopez vacated in 1999
Top Ten Contenders
1. Roman Gonzalez (25-0, 21 KO, WBA, 3 Defenses)
2. Nkosinathi Joyi (21-0, 15 KO, IBF, 0 Defenses)
3. Oleydong Sithsamerchai (34-0, 12 KO, WBC, 5 Defenses)
4. Donnie Nietes (26-1-3, 15 KO, WBO, 3 Defenses)
5. Raul Garcia (27-0, 16 KO
6. Yasutaka Kuroki (23-4-1, 15 KO)
7. Juan Palacios (26-3, 20 KO)
8. Milan Melindo (20-0, 5 KO)
9. Manuel Vargas (26-5-1, 11 KO)
10. Muhammad Rachman (62-8-5, 31 KO)
Ratings Notes… Joyi make a big jump with a dominant win over the previously undefeated Garcia while Sithsamerchai drops a hair with a reportedly narrow win over Kuroki which included a trip to the floor…the class of the class remains Gonzalez but since the titlists are unlikely to ever fight it’s all conjecture.
Previous Champion: Ricardo Lopez (1990-99, Vacated)
Consecutive Title Defense Record, Lineal or Other: Ricardo Lopez – 22
Key Upcoming Strawweight Contests
Nothing signed at this time.
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
