Haney King at Welter, Mason Breaks into 135: Boxing Rankings

The event “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was much more than a fight card; it had a significant impact on various weight categories.

Changes in the Ring

Abdullah Mason, at 21 years old, achieved a unanimous decision victory over Sam Noakes, becoming the youngest boxing world champion at the moment, by obtaining the WBO lightweight title. Mason, with greater skill, had to work hard for 12 rounds for the first time in his professional career, using excellent body work and endurance to overcome an opponent who never gave up. Mason’s triumph placed him at number 8 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 an outstanding boxing display. Haney sent Norman to the canvas in the second round and dominated the fight, using an effective jab and neutralizing his opponent. Norman dropped three positions and now occupies the number 4 spot after this defeat. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez solidified his position at number 1 by defeating Fernando Martinez and unifying three super flyweight titles. Martinez remains in the number 2 spot, considering his two victories over Kazuto Ioka, who occupies the third place in the ranking. David Benavidez’s dominant victory over Anthony Yarde secured his position as the number 3 in light heavyweight, behind former champion Artur Beterbiev and unified champion Dmitry Bivol. Benavidez might not hold that position for long, as he announced his intention to move up to cruiserweight for his next fight, challenging unified champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez during the Cinco de Mayo weekend.

Boxing rankings highlight the best in each weight category. These rankings are updated according to recent results and performances. Boxers who have announced their change of category will be included in the new division once they compete in it. Boxers holding titles in two divisions may be ranked in both.

Boxers who have not competed in the last 12 months, and who do not have scheduled fights, will be removed from the rankings until they fight again. Any boxer who tests positive for performance-enhancing substances will also be removed. This boxer may re-enter the rankings after their next fight.

Updated Rankings

Here are the updated rankings for the different weight categories:

Heavyweight (Unlimited)

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

• Oleksandr Usyk     Previous Ranking: 1
• Tyson Fury     Previous Ranking: 2
• Daniel Dubois     Previous Ranking: 3
• Fabio Wardley     Previous Ranking: 4
• Joseph Parker     Previous Ranking: 5
• Agit Kabayel     Previous Ranking: 6
• Filip Hrgovic     Previous Ranking: 7
• Moses Itauma     Previous Ranking: 8
• Zhilei Zhang     Previous Ranking: 9
• Martin Bakole     Previous Ranking: 10

Editor’s note: Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. have been removed due to inactivity.

Cruiserweight (Up to 200 pounds)

• Jai Opetaia     Previous ranking: 1
• Gilberto Ramirez     Previous ranking: 2
• Chris Billam-Smith     Previous ranking: 3
• Badou Jack     Previous ranking: 4
• Norair Mikaeljan     Previous ranking: 5
• Aleksei Papin     Previous ranking: 6
• Michal Cieslak     Previous ranking: 7
• Ryan Rozicki     Previous ranking: 8
• Yamil Peralta     Previous ranking: 9
• Leonardo Mosquea     Previous ranking: 10

Light Heavyweight (Up to 175 pounds)

An analysis of the statistics of Dmitry Bivol’s victory against Artur Beterbiev.

• Dmitry Bivol     Previous Ranking: 1
• Artur Beterbiev     Previous Ranking: 2
• David Benavidez     Previous Ranking: 3
• Callum Smith     Previous Ranking: 4
• David Morrell Jr.     Previous Ranking: 5
• Imam Khataev     Previous Ranking: 6
• Anthony Yarde     Previous Ranking: 7
• Oleksandr Gvozdyk     Previous Ranking: 8
• Albert Ramirez     Previous Ranking: 9
• Joshua Buatsi     Previous Ranking: 10

Super Middleweight (Up to 168 pounds)

Teddy Atlas and Timothy Bradley Jr. analyze Terence Crawford’s victory over Canelo Álvarez.

• Terence Crawford     Previous ranking: 1
• Canelo Alvarez     Previous ranking: 2
• Diego Pacheco     Previous ranking: 3
• Hamzah Sheeraz     Previous ranking: 4
• Christian Mbilli     Previous ranking: 5
• Lester Martinez     Previous ranking: 6
• Jermall Charlo     Previous ranking: 7
• Edgar Berlanga     Previous ranking: 8
• Jose Armando Resendiz     Previous ranking: 9
• Caleb Plant     Previous ranking: 10

Middleweight (Up to 160 pounds)

Janibek Alimkhanuly wins with an impressive technical knockout over Anauel Ngamissengue in the fifth round.

• Janibek Alimkhanuly     Previous Ranking: 1
• Carlos Adames     Previous Ranking: 2
• Conor Benn     Previous Ranking: 3
• Chris Eubank Jr.     Previous Ranking: 4
• Anauel Ngamissengue     Previous Ranking: 5
• Etinosa Oliha     Previous Ranking: 6
• Fiodor Czerkaszyn     Previous Ranking: 7
• Yoenli Hernandez     Previous Ranking: 8
• Troy Isley     Previous Ranking: 9
• Austin Williams     Previous Ranking: 10

Super Welterweight (Up to 154 pounds)

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

• Vergil Ortiz Jr.     Previous Ranking: 1
• Sebastian Fundora     Previous Ranking: 2
• Jaron Ennis     Previous Ranking: 3
• Xander Zayas     Previous Ranking: 4
• Israil Madrimov     Previous Ranking: 5
• Tim Tszyu     Previous Ranking: 6
• Keith Thurman     Previous Ranking: 7
• Jesus Ramos Jr.     Previous Ranking: 8
• Abass Baraou     Previous Ranking: 9
• Brandon Adams     Previous Ranking: NR

Welterweight (Up to 147 lbs)

• Devin Haney     Previous ranking: 3
• Mario Barrios     Previous ranking: 2
• Brian Norman Jr.     Previous ranking: 1
• Manny Pacquiao     Previous ranking: 4
• Liam Paro     Previous ranking: 5
• Shakhram Giyasov     Previous ranking: 6
• Giovani Santillan     Previous ranking: 7
• Rolando Romero     Previous ranking: 8
• Souleymane Cissokho     Previous ranking: 9
• Lewis Crocker     Previous ranking: 10

Super Lightweight (Up to 140 pounds)

Teofimo López wins by unanimous decision.

• Teofimo Lopez     Previous Ranking: 1
• Richardson Hitchins     Previous Ranking: 2
• Subriel Matias     Previous Ranking: 3
• Alberto Puello     Previous Ranking: 4
• Gary Antuanne Russell     Previous Ranking: 5
• Arnold Barboza Jr.     Previous Ranking: 6
• Sandor Martin     Previous Ranking: 7
• Andy Hiraoka     Previous Ranking: 8
• Dalton Smith     Previous Ranking: 9
• Adam Azim     Previous Ranking: 10

Lightweight (Up to 135 pounds)

• Shakur Stevenson     Previous Ranking: 1
• Gervonta Davis     Previous Ranking: 2
• Keyshawn Davis     Previous Ranking: 3
• William Zepeda     Previous Ranking: 4
• Lamont Roach     Previous Ranking: 5
• Andy Cruz     Previous Ranking: 6
• Raymond Muratalla     Previous Ranking: 7
• Abdullah Mason     Previous Ranking: NR
• Frank Martin     Previous Ranking: 8
• Floyd Schofield     Previous Ranking: 9

Super Featherweight (Up to 130 pounds)

Emanuel Navarrete wins by technical decision despite the injury.

• Emanuel Navarrete     Previous ranking: 1
• Anthony Cacace     Previous ranking: 2
• O’Shaquie Foster     Previous ranking: 3
• Ray Ford     Previous ranking: 4
• Robson Conceicao     Previous ranking: 5
• Eduardo Nunez     Previous ranking: 6
• Andres Cortes     Previous ranking: 7
• Charly Suarez     Previous ranking: 8
• James Dickens     Previous ranking: 9
• Joe Cordina     Previous ranking: 10

Peso Pluma (Up to 126 pounds)

Angelo Leo knocks out Venado López.

• Rafael Espinoza     Previous Ranking: 1
• Nick Ball     Previous Ranking: 2
• Stephen Fulton     Previous Ranking: 3
• Angelo Leo     Previous Ranking: 4
• Bruce Carrington     Previous Ranking: 5
• Luis Alberto Lopez     Previous Ranking: 6
• Brandon Figueroa     Previous Ranking: 7
• Tomoki Kameda     Previous Ranking: 8
• Robeisy Ramirez     Previous Ranking: 9
• Mirco Cuello     Previous Ranking: 10

Super Bantamweight (Up to 122 lbs)

Naoya Inoue, on the left, dominated Murodjon Akhmadaliev.