Boxing: Haney King Welter, Mason Debuts at 135; Updated Rankings

The “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” evening in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, was much more than a card full of fights. The event had significant repercussions in multiple weight categories.

Analysis of Key Results

Abdullah Mason, 21, achieved a unanimous decision victory over Sam Noakes, becoming the youngest boxing world champion by capturing the WBO lightweight title. Mason demonstrated his superior skill, but had to fight all 12 rounds for the first time in his professional career, using excellent body work and endurance to overcome an opponent who stood firm. During the fight, Mason hurt Noakes on several occasions, including a body shot in the seventh round. Noakes, somehow, survived the attack and counterattacked, putting Mason in difficult situations in the final rounds. Mason’s victory places him in eighth place in the ranking of his division. Devin Haney ascended to the top of the welterweight rankings by defeating Brian Norman Jr., winning the WBO title with a brilliant display of boxing. Haney knocked down Norman, known for his punching power, in the second round and dominated the fight, using his jab and nullifying his opponent. Norman dropped three places, remaining at number 4, after the defeat. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez’s masterful performance in defeating Fernando Martinez and unifying three super flyweight titles keeps him firmly at number 1, distancing himself from the rest of the contenders. Martinez remains at number 2, considering he has two victories over Kazuto Ioka, who occupies third place in the Alofoke Deportes ranking. The dominant victory of WBC champion David Benavidez over Anthony Yarde solidified his position as number 3 in the super middleweight division, behind former champion Artur Beterbiev and unified champion Dmitry Bivol. However, Benavidez may not hold that position for long, as he announced that he will move up to cruiserweight for his next fight, challenging unified champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez on Cinco de Mayo weekend. Alofoke Deportes’ boxing rankings highlight the best in the sport in each weight category. The rankings will be updated based on recent results and performances. Boxers who have announced that they will move up to a different weight category will be ranked in that new division, if applicable, only once they fight in that category. Boxers who currently hold titles in two divisions may be ranked in both. Boxers who have not competed in the last 12 months, and do not have a scheduled fight, will be removed from the rankings until they fight again. Any boxer who tests positive for a performance-enhancing substance will also be removed. That boxer will be eligible to re-enter the rankings after their next fight.HEAVYWEIGHT (NO LIMIT)

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

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

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

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

• 4. Fabio Wardley Previous ranking: 4
• Record: 20-0-1, 19 KOs
• Last: W (TKO11) Joseph Parker, October 25th
• Next: To be determined

• 5. Joseph Parker     Previous ranking: 5
• Record: 36-4, 24 KOs
• Last: L (TKO11) Fabio Wardley, October 25th
• Next: To be determined

• 6. Agit Kabayel     Previous ranking: 6
• Record: 26-0, 18 KOs
• Last: W (KO6) Zhilei Zhang, February 22nd
• Next: To be determined

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

• 8. Moses Itauma     Previous Ranking: 8
• Record: 14-0, 12 KOs
• Last: W (TKO1) Dillian Whyte, August 16th
• Next: January 24th vs. Jermaine Franklin Jr.

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

• 10. Martin Bakole     Previous ranking: 10
• Record: 21-2-1, 16 KOs
• Last: D (Majority Draw 10) Efe Ajagba, May 3rd
• Next: To be determined

Editor’s Note: Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. have 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: December 6th vs. Huseyin Cinkara

• 2. Gilberto Ramírez     Previous ranking: 2
• Record: 46-1, 30 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Yuniel Dorticos, June 28th
• Next: January 16th vs. Robin Sirwan Safar

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

• 4. Badou Jack     Previous ranking: 4
• Record: 29-3-3, 17 KOs
• Last: W (MD12) Norair Mikaeljan, May 3rd
• Next: December 13th vs. Norair Mikaeljan

• 5. Norair Mikaeljan     Previous Ranking: 5
• Record: 27-3, 12 KOs
• Last: L (MD12) Badou Jack, May 3rd
• Next: December 13th vs. Badou Jack

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

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

• 8. Ryan Rozicki     Previous Ranking: 8
• Record: 20-1-1, 19 KOs
• Last: D (Majority Draw 12) Yamil Peralta, December 7th
• Next: To be determined

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

• 10. Leonardo Mosquea     Previous ranking: 10
• Record: 17-0, 10 KOs
• Last: W (TKO9) Ivan Gabriel Garcia, June 12
• Next: To be determined

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (UP TO 175 POUNDS)

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

• 2. Artur Beterbiev     Previous Ranking: 2
• Record: 21-1, 20 KOs
• Last: L (MD12) Dmitry Bivol, February 22nd
• Next: To be determined

• 3. David Benavidez     Previous Ranking: 3
• Record: 31-0, 25 KOs
• Last: W (TKO7) Anthony Yarde, November 22nd
• Next: To be determined

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

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

• 6. Imam Khataev     Previous ranking: 6
• Record: 10-1, 9 KOs
• Last: L (SD10) David Morrell Jr., July 12th
• Next: December 11th vs. Adam Deines

• 7. Anthony Yarde     Previous ranking: 7
• Record: 27-4, 24 KOs
• Last: L (TKO7) David Benavidez, November 22nd
• Next: To be determined

• 8. Oleksandr Gvozdyk     Previous ranking: 8
• Record: 21-2, 17 KOs
• Last: W (KO3) Anthony Hollaway, April 19th
• Next: To be determined

• 9. Albert Ramirez     Previous Ranking: 9
• Record: 22-0, 19 KOs
• Last: W (TKO7) Jerome Pampellone, August 8th
• Next: To be determined

• 10. Joshua Buatsi     Previous ranking: 10
• Record: 20-1, 13 KOs
• Last: W (MD10) Zach Parker, November 1st
• Next: To be determined

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT (UP TO 168 POUNDS)

• 1. Terence Crawford     Previous Ranking: 1
• Record: 42-0, 31 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Canelo Álvarez, September 13th
• Next: To be determined

• 2. Canelo Álvarez Previous ranking: 2
• Record: 63-3-2, 39 KOs
• Last: L (UD12) Terence Crawford, September 13th
• Next: To be determined

• 3. Diego Pacheco     Previous Ranking: 3
• Record: 24-0, 18 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Trevor McCumby, July 19th
• Next: December 13th vs. Kevin Lele Sadjo

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

• 5. Christian Mbilli     Previous ranking: 5
• Record: 29-0-1, 24 KOs
• Last: D (Split draw 10) Lester Martínez, September 13th
• Next: To be determined

• 6. Lester Martínez     Previous Ranking: 6
• Record: 19-0-1, 16 KOs
• Last: D (Split Draw 10) Christian Mbilli, September 13th
• Next: To be determined

• 7. Jermall Charlo     Previous Ranking: 7
• Record: 34-0, 23 KOs
• Last: W (TKO6) Thomas LaManna, May 31st
• Next: To be determined

• 8. Edgar Berlanga     Previous ranking: 8
• Record: 23-2, 18 KOs
• Last: L (KO5) Hamzah Sheeraz, July 12th
• Next: To be determined

• 9. José Armando Resendiz Previous Ranking: 9
• Record: 16-2, 11 KOs
• Last: W (SD12) Caleb Plant, May 31st
• Next: To be determined

• 10. Caleb Plant     Previous ranking: 10
• Record: 23-2, 14 KOs
• Last: L (SD12) José Armando Resendiz, March 31
• Next: To be determined

MIDDLEWEIGHT (UP TO 160 POUNDS)

• 1. Janibek Alimkhanuly     Previous Ranking: 1
• Record: 17-0, 12 KOs
• Last: W (TKO5) Anauel Ngamissengue, April 5th
• Next: December 6th vs. Erislandy Lara

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

• 3. Conor Benn     Previous ranking: 3
• Record: 23-1, 14 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Chris Eubank Jr., November 15th
• Next: To be determined

• 4. Chris Eubank Jr.     Previous ranking: 4
• Record: 35-4, 25 KOs
• Last: L (UD12) Conor Benn, November 15th
• Next: To be determined

• 5. Anauel Ngamissengue     Previous Ranking: 5
• Record: 14-1, 9 KOs
• Last: L (TKO5) Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, April 5th
• Next: To be determined

• 6. Etinosa Oliha     Previous ranking: 6
• Record: 22-0, 10 KOs
• Last: W (TKO3) Ivan Njegac, September 12th
• Next: To be determined

• 7. Fiodor Czerkaszyn     Previous ranking: 7
• Record: 26-1, 16 KOs
• Last: W (TKO2) Patrick Allotey, February 1st
• Next: To be determined

• 8. Yoenli Hernández     Previous Ranking: 8
• Record: 8-0, 7 KOs
• Last: W (TKO1) Ramón De La Cruz Sena, October 12th
• Next: To be determined

• 9. Troy Isley     Previous ranking: 9
• Record: 15-0, 5 KOs
• Last: W (UD10) Etoundi Michel William, June 7th
• Next: To be determined

• 10. Austin Williams     Previous Ranking: 10
• Record: 19-1, 13 KOs
• Last: W (TKO9) Ivan Vázquez, July 19th
• Next: To be determined

Editor’s Note: Erislandy Lara has been removed due to inactivity.JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT (UP TO 154 POUNDS)

• 1. Vergil Ortiz Jr.     Previous Ranking: 1
• Record: 24-0, 22 KOs
• Last: W (TKO2) Erickson Lubin, November 8th
• Next: To be determined

• 2. Sebastian Fundora     Previous ranking: 2
• Record: 23-1-1, 14 KOs
• Last: W (TKO8) Tim Tszyu, July 19th
• Next: To be determined vs. Keith Thurman

• 3. Jaron Ennis     Previous ranking: 3
• Record: 35-0, 31 KOs
• Last: W (TKO1) Uisma Lima, October 11th
• Next: To be determined

• 4. Xander Zayas     Previous ranking: 4
• Record: 22-0, 13 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) José García Pérez, July 26th
• Next: January 31st vs. Abass Baraou

• 5. Israil Madrimov     Previous Ranking: 5
• Record: 10-2-1, 7 KOs
• Last: L (UD12) Vergil Ortiz Jr., February 22nd
• Next: To be determined

• 6. Tim Tszyu     Previous ranking: 6
• Record: 25-3, 18 KOs
• Last: L (TKO8) Sebastian Fundora, July 19th
• Next: December 17th vs. Anthony Velazquez

• 7. Keith Thurman     Previous Ranking: 7
• Record: 31-1, 23 KOs
• Last: W (TKO3) Brock Jarvis, March 12th
• Next: To be determined vs. Sebastian Fundora

• 8. Jesús Ramos Jr. Previous ranking: 8
• Record: 23-1, 19 KOs
• Last: W (TKO7) Guido Emmanuel Schramm, March 22nd
• Next: December 16th vs. Shane Mosley Jr.

• 9. Abass Baraou     Previous Ranking: 9
• Record: 17-1, 9 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Yoenis Tellez, August 23rd
• Next: January 31st vs. Xander Zayas

• 10. Brandon Adams     Previous Ranking: NR
• Record: 26-4, 16 KOs
• Last: W (UD10) Serhii Bohachuk, September 13th
• Next: To be determined

Editor’s Note: Bakhram Murtazaliev has been removed due to inactivity.WELTERWEIGHT (UP TO 147 POUNDS)

• 1. Devin Haney     Previous Ranking: 3
• Record: 33-0-1 NC, 15 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Brian Norman Jr., November 22nd
• Next: To be determined

• 2. Mario Barrios     Previous ranking: 2
• Record: 29-2-2, 18 KOs
• Last: Draw (Majority Draw 12) Manny Pacquiao, July 19th
• Next: February 21st vs. Ryan Garcia

• 3. Brian Norman Jr.     Previous ranking: 1
• Record: 28-1, 22 KOs
• Last: L (UD12) Devin Haney, November 22nd
• Next: To be determined

• 4. Manny Pacquiao     Previous ranking: 4
• Record: 62-8-3, 39 KOs
• Last: Draw (Majority Draw 12) Mario Barrios, July 19th
• Next: To be determined

• 5. Liam Paro     Previous ranking: 5
• Record: 27-1, 16 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) David Papot, September 18th
• Next: To be determined

• 6. Shakhram Giyasov     Previous ranking: 6
• Record: 17-0, 10 KOs
• Last: W (KO4) Franco Ocampo, April 12th
• Next: To be determined

• 7. Giovani Santillan     Previous Ranking: 7
• Record: 34-1, 18 KOs
• Last: W (UD10) Angel Beltrán, May 10th
• Next: To be determined

• 8. Rolando Romero     Previous Ranking: 8
• Record: 17-2, 13 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Ryan García, May 2nd
• Next: To be determined

• 9. Souleymane Cissokho     Previous Ranking: 9
• Record: 18-0, 9 KOs
• Last: W (UD10) Egidijus Kavaliauskas, May 10th
• Next: To be determined

• 10. Lewis Crocker     Previous ranking: 10
• Record: 22-0, 11 KOs
• Last: W (SD12) Paddy Donovan, September 13th
• Next: To be determined

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT (UP TO 140 POUNDS)

• 1. Teofimo López       Previous Ranking: 1
• Record: 22-1, 13 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Arnold Barboza Jr., May 2
• Next: To be determined

• 2. Richardson Hitchins     Previous ranking: 2
• Record: 20-0, 8 KOs
• Last: W (TKO8) George Kambosos Jr., June 14
• Next: To be determined

• 3. Subriel Matías