Baraou in the Top 10 Junior Medios? ESPN Analysis and Ranking

The boxing weekend, although it didn’t have a direct impact on ESPN’s divisional rankings, gave us an unmissable fight.

Abass Baraou vs. Yoenis Tellez: A Spectacular Fight

In the co-main event of the first edition of MVP Fight Night, organized by Most Valuable Promotions in Orlando, super welterweights Abass Baraou (17-1, 9 KOs) and Yoenis Tellez (10-1, 7 KOs) starred in an electrifying match. The fight was a close and entertaining battle, with both pugilists showing their best version at different times. Tellez, known for his resounding victory over Julian Williams in March, tried to counter Baraou’s constant pressure with precise counterattacks. However, Baraou did not give up and his intense attack finally wore down Tellez in the twelfth round, sending the Cuban to the canvas with a few seconds remaining, thus sealing an exceptional performance.

Controversy in the Main Event

The main event, on the other hand, turned out to be a less attractive fight that ended in a controversial result. Yankiel Rivera (7-0-1, 3 KOs) and Angelino Córdova (19-0-2, 12 KOs) finished their fight in a majority draw, despite Córdova suffering a knockdown and a penalty for blows to the back of the head.

Rivera seemed to have the advantage after knocking down Córdova in the fourth round and after the latter was penalized in the sixth. However, none of the three judges voted in favor of Rivera, with two scoring 113-113 and a third surprisingly giving the victory to Córdova with a score of 115-111.

ESPN Rankings Update

ESPN’s division-by-division boxing rankings highlight the best in each weight category. These rankings are updated based on recent results and performances. Boxers who announce their move to a new division will be included in that new ranking, if applicable, only after having competed in that category. Fighters who hold titles in two divisions may be listed in both. Boxers who have not competed in the last 12 months, and who do not have a scheduled fight, will be removed from the rankings until they fight again. Likewise, any boxer who tests positive for performance-enhancing substances will be eliminated. This boxer may rejoin the rankings after their next fight. Here are the updated rankings:HEAVYWEIGHT (UNLIMITED)

Oleksandr Usyk retains the heavyweight championship with another decision victory over Tyson Fury, this time unanimously in an epic rematch.

• 1. Oleksandr Usyk     Previous ranking: 1
• Record: 24-0, 15 KOs
• Last: W (KO5) Daniel Dubois, July 19th
• Next: TBA

• 2. Tyson Fury     Previous ranking: 2
• Record: 34-2-1, 24 KOs
• Last: L (UD12) Oleksandr Usyk, December 21st
• Next: TBA

• 3. Daniel Dubois     Previous ranking: 3
• Record: 22-3, 21 KOs
• Last: L (KO5) Oleksandr Usyk, July 19th
• Next: TBA

• 4. Joseph Parker     Previous ranking: 4
• Record: 36-3, 24 KOs
• Last: W (TKO2) Martin Bakole, February 22nd
• Next: TBA

• 5. Agit Kabayel     Previous ranking: 5
• Record: 26-0, 18 KOs
• Last: W (KO6) Zhilei Zhang, February 22nd
• Next: TBA

• 6. Anthony Joshua     Previous ranking: 6
• Record: 28-4, 25 KOs
• Last: L (KO5) Daniel Dubois, September 21st
• Next: TBA

• 7. Filip Hrgovic     Previous ranking: 7
• Record: 19-1, 14 KOs
• Last: W (UD10) David Adeleye, August 16th
• Next: TBA

• 8. Moses Itauma     Previous ranking: 8
• Record: 14-0, 12 KOs
• Last: W (TKO1) Dillian Whyte, August 16th
• Next: TBA

• 9. Zhilei Zhang     Previous ranking: 9
• Record: 27-3-1, 22 KOs
• Last: L (KO6) Agit Kabayel, February 22nd
• Next: TBA

• 10. Fabio Wardley Previous Ranking: 10
• Record: 19-0-1, 18 KOs
• Last: W (KO10) Justis Huni, August 3rd
• Next: TBA

Editor’s note: Andy Ruiz Jr. has been removed due to inactivity.CRUISERWEIGHT (UP TO 200 POUNDS)

• 1. Jai Opetaia     Previous Ranking: 1
• Record: 28-0, 22 KOs
• Last: W (KO5) Claudio Squeo, June 8th
• Next: TBA

• 2. Gilberto Ramirez     Previous Ranking: 2
• Record: 46-1, 30 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Yuniel Dorticos, June 28th
• Next: TBA

• 3. Chris Billam-Smith     Previous ranking: 3
• Record: 21-2, 13 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Brandon Glanton, April 26th
• Next: TBA

• 4. Badou Jack     Previous Ranking: 4
• Record: 29-3-3, 17 KOs
• Last: W (MD12) Norair Mikaeljan, May 3rd
• Next: TBA

• 5. Norair Mikaeljan     Previous Ranking: 5
• Record: 27-3, 12 KOs
• Last: L (MD12) Badou Jack, May 3
• Next: TBA

• 6. Aleksei Papin     Previous ranking: 6
• Record: 19-1, 17 KOs
• Last: W (UD10) Miljan Rovcanin, July 19
• Next: TBA

• 7. Michal Cieslak     Previous Ranking: 7
• Record: 28-2, 22 KOs
• Last: W (TKO4) Jean Pascal, June 28th
• Next: TBA

• 8. Ryan Rozicki     Previous ranking: 8
• Record: 20-1-1, 19 KOs
• Last: D (Majority Draw 12) Yamil Peralta, December 7th
• Next: October 25th vs. Akani Phuzi

• 9. Yamil Peralta     Previous ranking: 9
• Record: 17-1-1, 9 KOs
• Last: D (Majority Draw 12) Ryan Rozicki, December 7th
• Next: TBA

• 10. Leonardo Mosquea     Previous Ranking: 10
• Record: 16-0, 9 KOs
• Last: W (SD12) Cheavon Clarke, December 14th
• Next: TBA

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (UP TO 175 POUNDS)

A look at the statistics of Dmitry Bivol’s victory against Artur Beterbiev.

• 1. Dmitry Bivol     Previous Ranking: 1
• Record: 24-1, 12 KOs
• Last: W (MD12) Artur Beterbiev, February 22nd
• Next: TBA

• 2. Artur Beterbiev     Previous Ranking: 2
• Record: 21-1, 20 KOs
• Last: L (MD12) Dmitry Bivol, February 22nd
• Next: November 22nd vs. Deon Nicholson

• 3. David Benavidez     Previous ranking: 3
• Record: 30-0, 24 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) David Morrell Jr., February 1st
• Next: November 22nd vs. Anthony Yarde

• 4. Callum Smith     Previous ranking: 4
• Record: 31-2, 22 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Joshua Buatsi, February 22
• Next: TBA

• 5. David Morrell Jr.     Previous ranking: 5
• Record: 12-1, 9 KOs
• Last: W (SD12) Imam Khataev, July 12th
• Next: TBA

• 6. Imam Khataev     Previous ranking: 6
• Record: 10-1, 9 KOs
• Last: L (SD10) David Morrell Jr., July 12
• Next: TBA

• 7. Joshua Buatsi     Previous Ranking: 7
• Record: 19-1, 13 KOs
• Last: L (UD12) Callum Smith, February 22nd
• Next: November 1st vs. Zach Parker

• 8. Anthony Yarde     Previous ranking: 8
• Record: 27-3, 24 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Lyndon Arthur, April 26th
• Next: November 22nd vs. David Benavidez

• 9. Oleksandr Gvozdyk     Previous ranking: 9
• Record: 21-2, 17 KOs
• Last: W (KO3) Anthony Hollaway, April 19th
• Next: TBA

• 10. Albert Ramirez     Previous Ranking: 10
• Record: 22-0, 19 KOs
• Last: W (TKO7) Jerome Pampellone, August 8th
• Next: TBA

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT (UP TO 168 POUNDS)

Canelo Álvarez is facing Terence Crawford in a mega-fight on September 13th in Las Vegas.

• 1. Canelo Alvarez     Previous Ranking: 1
• Record: 63-2-2, 39 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) William Scull, May 3rd
• Next: September 13th vs. Terence Crawford

• 2. Christian Mbilli     Previous ranking: 2
• Record: 29-0, 24 KOs
• Last: W (TKO1) Maciej Sulecki, June 27th
• Next: September 13th vs. Lester Martinez

• 3. Diego Pacheco     Previous Ranking: 3
• Record: 24-0, 18 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Trevor McCumby, July 19
• Next: TBA

• 4. Hamzah Sheeraz     Previous Ranking: 4
• Record: 22-0-1, 18 KOs
• Last: W (KO5) Edgar Berlanga, July 12th
• Next: TBA

• 5. Jermall Charlo     Previous ranking: 5
• Record: 34-0, 23 KOs
• Last: W (TKO6) Thomas LaManna, May 31st
• Next: TBA

• 6. Edgar Berlanga     Previous ranking: 6
• Record: 23-2, 18 KOs
• Last: L (KO5) Hamzah Sheeraz, July 12th
• Next: TBA

• 7. Jose Armando Resendiz     Previous Ranking: 7
• Record: 16-2, 11 KOs
• Last: W (SD12) Caleb Plant, May 31st
• Next: TBA

• 8. Caleb Plant     Previous ranking: 8
• Record: 23-2, 14 KOs
• Last: L (SD12) Jose Armando Resendiz, March 31st
• Next: TBA

• 9. Bektemir Melikuziev     Previous ranking: 9
• Record: 16-1, 10 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Darius Fulghum, May 30th
• Next: TBA

• 10. Bruno Surace     Previous ranking: 10
• Record: 26-1-2, 5 KOs
• Last: L (UD12) Jaime Munguia, May 3
• Next: TBA

Editor’s note: Jaime Munguia has been withdrawn after testing positive for a banned substance.AVERAGE WEIGHT (UP TO 160 POUNDS)

Janibek Alimkhanuly wins by TKO over Anauel Ngamissengue in the fifth round.

• 1. Janibek Alimkhanuly     Previous Ranking: 1
• Record: 17-0, 12 KOs
• Last: W (TKO5) Anauel Ngamissengue, April 5th
• Next: TBA

• 2. Carlos Adames     Previous Ranking: 2
• Record: 24-1-1, 18 KOs
• Last: D (Split Draw 12) Hamzah Sheeraz, February 22nd
• Next: TBA

• 3. Erislandy Lara     Previous Ranking: 3
• Record: 31-3-3, 19 KOs
• Last: W (TKO9) Danny Garcia, September 14th
• Next: TBA

• 4. Chris Eubank Jr.     Previous ranking: 4
• Record: 35-3, 25 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Conor Benn, April 26th
• Next: TBA vs. Conor Benn

• 5. Conor Benn     Previous ranking: 5
• Record: 23-1, 14 KOs
• Last: L (UD12) Chris Eubank Jr., April 26th
• Next: TBA vs. Chris Eubank Jr.

• 6. Anauel Ngamissengue     Previous ranking: 6
• Record: 14-1, 9 KOs
• Last: L (TKO5) Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, April 5th
• Next: TBA

• 7. Etinosa Oliha     Previous ranking: 7
• Record: 21-0, 9 KOs
• Last: W (TKO3) Alexander Pavlov, September 14th
• Next: TBA

• 8. Fiodor Czerkaszyn     Previous Ranking: 8
• Record: 26-1, 16 KOs
• Last: W (TKO2) Patrick Allotey, February 1st
• Next: TBA

• 9. Yoenli Hernandez     Previous ranking: 9
• Record: 19-3-1, 6 KOs
• Last: W (UD10) Kyrone Davis, May 31
• Next: TBA

• 10. Troy Isley     Previous ranking: 10
• Record: 15-0, 5 KOs
• Last: W (UD10) Etoundi Michel William, June 7th
• Next: TBA

SUPER WELTERWEIGHT (UP TO 154 POUNDS)

Xander Zayas, 22 years old, becomes the youngest current world champion.

• 1. Terence Crawford     Previous Ranking: 1
• Record: 41-0, 31 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Israil Madrimov, August 3rd
• Next: September 13th vs. Canelo Alvarez

• 2. Vergil Ortiz Jr.     Previous ranking: 2
• Record: 23-0, 21 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Israil Madrimov, February 22nd
• Next: November 8th vs. Erickson Lubin

• 3. Sebastian Fundora     Previous Ranking: 3
• Record: 23-1-1, 14 KOs
• Last: W (TKO8) Tim Tszyu, July 19
• Next: TBA

• 4. Bakhram Murtazaliev     Previous Ranking: 4
• Record: 23-0, 17 KOs
• Last: W (TKO3) Tim Tszyu, October 19th
• Next: TBA

• 5. Xander Zayas     Previous Ranking: 5
• Record: 22-0, 13 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Jose Garcia Perez, July 26th
• Next: TBA

• 6. Israil Madrimov     Previous Ranking: 6
• Record: 10-2-1, 7 KOs
• Last: L (UD12) Vergil Ortiz Jr., February 22nd
• Next: TBA

• 7. Tim Tszyu     Previous ranking: 7
• Record: 25-3, 18 KOs
• Last: L (TKO8) Sebastian Fundora, July 19th
• Next: TBA

• 8. Serhii Bohachuk     Previous Ranking: 8
• Record: 26-2, 24 KOs
• Last: W (UD10) Mykal Fox, May 17th
• Next: September 13th vs. Brandon Adams

• 9. Keith Thurman     Previous Ranking: 9
• Record: 31-1, 23 KOs
• Last: W (TKO3) Brock Jarvis, March 12th
• Next: TBA

• 10. Jesus Ramos Jr.     Previous ranking: 10
• Record: 23-1, 19 KOs
• Last: W (TKO7) Guido Emmanuel Schramm, March 22
• Next: TBA

WELTERWEIGHT (UP TO 147 POUNDS)

• 1. Jaron Ennis     Previous Ranking: 1
• Record: 34-0, 30 KOs
• Last: W (TKO6) Eimantas Stanionis, April 12th
• Next: October 11th vs. Uisma Lima

• 2. Brian Norman Jr.     Previous ranking: 2
• Record: 28-0, 22 KOs
• Last: W (KO5) Jin Sasaki, June 19th
• Next: November 22nd vs. Devin Haney

• 3. Mario Barrios     Previous ranking: 3
• Record: 29-2-2, 18 KOs
• Last: Draw (Majority Draw 12) Manny Pacquiao, July 19th
• Next: TBA

• 4. Eimantas Stanionis     Previous Ranking: 4
• Record: 15-1, 9 KOs
• Last: L (TKO6) Jaron Ennis, April 12th
• Next: TBA

• 5. Devin Haney     Previous Ranking: 5
• Record: 32-0-1 NC, 15 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Jose Ramirez, May 2nd
• Next: November 22nd vs. Brian Norman Jr.

• 6. Manny Pacquiao     Previous Ranking: 6
• Record: 62-8-3, 39 KOs
• Last: Draw (Majority Draw 12) Mario Barrios, July 19
• Next: TBA

• 7. Shakhram Giyasov     Previous ranking: 7
• Record: 17-0, 10 KOs
• Last: W (KO4) Franco Ocampo, April 12th
• Next: TBA

• 8. Giovani Santillan     Previous Ranking: 8
• Record: 34-1, 18 KOs
• Last: W (UD10) Angel Beltran, May 10
• Next: TBA

• 9. Rolando Romero     Previous Ranking: 9
• Record: 17-2, 13 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Ryan Garcia, May 2
• Next: TBA

• 10. Souleymane Cissokho     Previous Ranking: 10
• Record: 17-0, 9 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Egidijus Kavaliauskas, May 10th
• Next: TBA

SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT (UP TO 140 POUNDS)

Teofimo López wins by unanimous decision.

• 1. Teofimo Lopez     Previous Ranking: 1
• Record: 22-1, 13 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Arnold Barboza Jr., May 2nd
• Next: TBA

• 2. Richardson Hitchins