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

The event “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last Saturday, was not just a fight card; it had significant repercussions in multiple weight categories.

New Champions and Promotions in Boxing

Abdullah Mason, 21, achieved a unanimous decision victory over Sam Noakes, becoming the youngest current boxing world champion by obtaining the WBO lightweight title. Mason, despite having a skill advantage, fought the full 12 rounds for the first time in his professional career, demonstrating excellent body work and endurance to overcome an opponent who did not give in. Mason’s victory placed him at number 8 in the divisional ranking. Devin Haney ascended to the top of the welterweight rankings by defeating Brian Norman Jr., winning the WBO title with an impressive display of boxing. Haney sent Norman to the canvas in the second round and dominated the fight, using his jab to neutralize his opponent. Norman dropped three positions, ranking 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 in first place, distancing himself from the rest of the competitors. Martinez remains in the number 2 spot, considering he has two victories over Kazuto Ioka, ranked number 3.

David Benavidez’s resounding victory 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 might not hold that position for long, as he announced his transition 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 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, if applicable, once they fight in it. 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 performance-enhancing substances will also be removed. This boxer may re-enter the rankings after their next fight.

To get a list of the current champions in all weight categories, check out the Alofoke Deportes rankings.

Boxing Rankings by Category

HEAVYWEIGHT (NO LIMIT)

Oleksandr Usyk wins by unanimous decision against Tyson Fury in the rematch. Oleksandr Usyk retains the heavyweight championship with another decision victory over Tyson Fury on Saturday, 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: 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 19
• 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 25
• 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 3
• 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 3
• Next: December 13 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 28
• Next: To be determined

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

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

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

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 22
• Next: To be determined

• 2. Artur Beterbiev     Previous Ranking: 2
• Record: 21-1, 20 KOs
• Last: L (MD12) Dmitry Bivol, February 22
• 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 19
• 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)

Teddy Atlas is excited about Terence Crawford’s performance against Canelo Álvarez. Teddy Atlas and Timothy Bradley Jr. analyze Terence Crawford’s victory over Canelo Álvarez.

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

• 2. Canelo Alvarez     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 Martinez, September 13th
• Next: To be determined

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

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

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

• 9. Jose 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) Jose Armando Resendiz, March 31
• Next: To be determined

AVERAGE WEIGHT (UP TO 160 POUNDS)

Alimkhanuly connects two ferocious blows to win by TKO. Janibek Alimkhanuly wins with an impressive style 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: 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 22
• Next: To be determined

• 3. Conor Benn     Previous ranking: 3
• Record: 23-1, 14 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Chris Eubank Jr., November 15
• 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 Hernandez     Previous Ranking: 8
• Record: 8-0, 7 KOs
• Last: W (TKO1) Ramon De La Cruz Sena, October 12
• 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 Vazquez, July 19th
• Next: To be determined

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

Xander Zayas, 22 years old, becomes the youngest world champion. Xander Zayas becomes the youngest world champion at 22 years old after being announced as the winner.

• 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 19
• 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) Jose Garcia Perez, July 26
• Next: January 31 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. Jesus 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 22
• 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 Beltran, May 10
• Next: To be determined

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

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

SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT (UP TO 140 POUNDS)

Teofimo López achieves a unanimous decision victory. Teofimo López wins by unanimous decision over Steve Claggett in Miami.

• 1. Teofimo Lopez     Previous Ranking: 1
• Record: 22-1, 13 K