Ratings Ring Wrong at Featherweight

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Gilroy, California’s IBF Featherweight titlist Robert Guerrero (21-1-1, 15 KO) is a good fighter. Better for his bank account, he’s developed into a reliably exciting one. At only 24, he’s got one of the better upsides at 126 lbs.

That said, he’s not the best Featherweight in the world right now. Ring Magazine says different.

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On March 07, I sent the following note to the folks at Ring:

“Haven't chimed in a while, but noticed while watching Friday Night Fights that Guerrero has moved in front of (Chris) John. I have to strongly disagree with that. Defeating (Jason) Litzau isn't any more impressive than defeating (Celestino) Caballero a couple weeks ago. John's one fight with (Juan Manuel) Marquez, even though I disagreed with the decision, is still the best mark on either man's resume. John should be re-installed at #1.”

Upon further inspection, it’s not just John. Steve Kim of Maxboxing (and of Boxing Scene now sort of right?…or vice versa…I’m just so confused) noted a while back that Jorge Linares (25-0, 16 KO), the WBC titlist, is far too low at #7. Keep looking and the Ring’s ratings in this division seem entirely out of whack.

Indonesia’s John (41-0-1, 22 KO, WBA titlist) has an official, competitive victory over Juan Manuel Marquez. Yes, it was highly disputed by many including myself, but it was still official. John also has picked up solid victories against veterans Derrick Gainer, Osamu Sato and Oscar Leon. They’re not world-beaters, but the accumulated “0” on his record has to count for a little.

Guerrero is on a nice streak, but none of his official victories are as impressive as a controversial win over Marquez. Guerrero also isn’t far removed from a two-fight split with Gamaliel Diaz (whom Linares routed) or his loss (later reversed to no-contest for a failed drug test) to 9-loss veteran Orlando Salido. What exactly did Guerrero show in stopping Jason Litzau that John did not in recently stopping Roinet Caballero? Was Litzau’s three fight winning streak since being knocked out in December 2006 that much more impressive than Caballero’s 13-fight winning streak dating back to April 2005.

And what didn’t Venezuela’s Linares show in stopping former 122 lb. titlist Oscar Larios last July? Granted, Larios had shown some slippage but that slipping came against current World Jr. Featherweight and Jr. Lightweight champions Israel Vasquez and Manny Pacquiao. Of the three top beltholders, it is Linares who may have posted the most impressive win of the bunch.

Somehow, he languishes behind not only Guerrero but also Jorge Solis (last year’s Manny Pacquiao tune-up KO victim and notable for little else) and Japan’s Hiroyuki Enoki. Look, I’m all about Asian badasses, but Enoki’s best win might be Nedal Hussein in 2006. Hussein was run out of the ring by Larios and probably still would be today.

If not Lianres, what about WBO titlist Steven Luevano (35-1, 15 KO)? He’s got two wins, over currently rated Ring fighters Nicky Cook (#9) and Cristobal Cruz (#10), to Guerrero’s one over #8 Martin Honorio.

Why does this matter?

It matters because what Ring says carries weight. Since relaunching their recognition of singular divisional champions earlier this decade, their stance has gained traction from ESPN and now HBO is chiming in for their favor more regularly (Ring being purchased by Golden Boy Promotions and HBO’s shifting attention to Ring titles is pure coincidence of course).

I’m all for singular divisional champions. However, it would be hard to argue that Guerrero-John would solve the issue of real “Featherweight champion” and harder still to argue that the man who belongs in the conversation with them, Linares, belongs at the seven spot. Ring’s ratings don’t have to be perfect, but they have to make sense if Ring is to be the popular media source of who boxing’s true kings are and how they’re crowned.

Their ratings at 126 don’t make sense.

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

Comments

crold1Thu Mar 20, 2008, 2:43 AM UTC

Enoki is a pretty good fighter and maybe better than that but he's largely untested and should not be in front of Linares.

warp1432Thu Mar 20, 2008, 2:38 AM UTC

Glad to know I wasn't the only one who thought this. I was looking at them on saturday during the Luevano fight and I was like "Who the hell is Hiroyuki Enoki?" I still really don't even though he's the OPBF champion.

crold1Wed Mar 19, 2008, 11:08 PM UTC

John at #1 eliminates that possibility, perhaps a lesson they learned with Pong the #1 flyweight for however many years (though if they did even half of the research Cliff puts into every article, they'd know that Pong was already a linear champ). But honestly, the mere discussion lends way too much credibility to the magazine's rankings. Nevertheless, it was a great read and kudos to Cliff for kicking sand in their faces - in a respectable manner, no less - and pretty much posting a checkmate. Curious if Nigel & co. have any response, though I can't see one beyond "you're right." Either that, or we get another Chris Arreola scenario where, a week or two after trying to sneak him into the rankings, they quietly pull him from the top 10, sans explanation. one question I do have - Cliff, you're on the Ring Ratings Advisory Board. Does the board still exist, and does everyone have an equal vote, or does Nigel's word the final one, which in turn grants him permission to act on a whim? Their ratings are given credibility when ESPN uses them and HBO begins to endorse them; that could increase. Putting aside the ownership they have now (which hasn't show effect as yet), they have to be held to a higher standard if they assert that they are one. As to the other question, the board exists but they don't vote. We were all asked to serve in a volunteer fashion and can chime in at will. It's taken under advisement but their editorial still makes the call.

Gareth_IvanovicWed Mar 19, 2008, 5:02 PM UTC

Cliff's right is a win over Litzau that big of a deal that Guerrero jumps over John. I know he really hasn't fought too many guys of note, but I think only a loss would put him out of that position. Then having Linares at number 7 doesn't even make sense. He might be the best guy in the division, but I guess the only way to find that out is if they start fighting. Once they fight this will be solved.

Ryn0Wed Mar 19, 2008, 5:01 PM UTC

John is the Number 1 featherweight n the world the ring has lost alot of credability with me by doing this as john as well as there rubbish P4P list.

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