Boxing: Haney Welterweight King, Mason Debuts at 135 Pounds

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

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Abdullah Mason, the new youngest champion Haney moves up to welterweight “Bam” Rodríguez Reaffirms His Dominance Benavidez consolidates his position

Abdullah Mason, the new youngest champion

Abdullah Mason, 21 years old, achieved a unanimous decision victory over Sam Noakes, becoming the youngest boxing world champion, by capturing the WBO lightweight title. Mason, with a skill advantage, fought the 12 rounds for the first time in his professional career, requiring exceptional body work and endurance to overcome an opponent who stood firm. Mason hurt Noakes several times during the fight, including a sequence in the seventh round when the young boxer hit his opponent in the body. Noakes somehow survived the attack and counterattacked, putting Mason in difficult situations in the final rounds. Mason’s victory positions him in eighth place in the divisional ranking.

Haney moves up to welterweight

Devin Haney climbed 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 never looked back, working with a firm jab and nullifying his opponent. Norman fell three places to number 4 after the defeat.

“Bam” Rodríguez Reaffirms His Dominance

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez’s masterclass after defeating Fernando Martinez, unifying three super flyweight titles, keeps him firmly at number 1, making a big difference with the rest of the competition. Martinez remains at number 2, considering he has two victories over number 3 in the super flyweight rankings.

Benavidez consolidates his position

The dominant victory of WBC champion David Benavidez over Anthony Yarde cemented 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 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 change according to recent results and performances. Boxers who have announced that they are moving to a different weight category will be ranked in that new division, if applicable, only once they fight in that weight 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.

Boxing: Haney Welterweight King, Mason Debuts at 135 Pounds

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