Haney King at Welter, Mason Breaks into 135: Updated Boxing 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.

Abdullah Mason, New World Champion

Abdullah Mason, at 21 years old, won by unanimous decision against Sam Noakes, becoming the youngest boxing world champion, capturing the WBO lightweight title. Mason, with a skill advantage, had to go the distance for the first time in his professional career, utilizing exceptional body work and stamina 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 positions in the final rounds. With his victory, Mason enters the divisional ranking at number 8.

Devin Haney Ascends

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, remaining at number 4 after the defeat.

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez solidifies his position

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez’s masterclass in defeating Fernando Martínez to unify three super flyweight titles keeps him firm at number 1, making a big difference from the rest of the competition. Martínez remains at number 2, considering he has two victories over Kazuto Ioka, ranked at number 3.

David Benavidez Secures His Position

David Benavidez’s dominant victory over Anthony Yarde solidified his position as number 3 in the light heavyweight 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.

Divisional 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 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.

Weight Classifications

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.

• Oleksandr Usyk     Previous ranking: 1

Record: 24-0, 15 KOs Last: W (KO5) Daniel Dubois, July 19th Next: TBA

• Tyson Fury     Previous ranking: 2

Record: 34-2-1, 24 KOs Last: L (UD12) Oleksandr Usyk, December 21st Next: TBA

• Daniel Dubois     Previous ranking: 3

Record: 22-3, 21 KOs Last: L (KO5) Oleksandr Usyk, July 19 Next: TBA

• Fabio Wardley     Previous Ranking: 4

Record: 20-0-1, 19 KOs Last: W (TKO11) Joseph Parker, October 25 Next: TBA

• Joseph Parker     Previous ranking: 5

Record: 36-4, 24 KOs Last: L (TKO11) Fabio Wardley, October 25th Next: TBA

• Agit Kabayel     Previous ranking: 6

Record: 26-0, 18 KOs Last: W (KO6) Zhilei Zhang, February 22 Next: TBA

• Filip Hrgovic     Previous ranking: 7

Record: 19-1, 14 KOs Last: W (UD10) David Adeleye, August 16th Next: TBA

• Moses Itauma     Previous ranking: 8

Record: 14-0, 12 KOs Last: W (TKO1) Dillian Whyte, August 16 Next: January 24 vs. Jermaine Franklin Jr.

• Zhilei Zhang     Previous ranking: 9

Record: 27-3-1, 22 KOs Last: L (KO6) Agit Kabayel, February 22 Next: TBA

• Martin Bakole     Previous ranking: 10

Record: 21-2-1, 16 KOs Last: D (Majority Draw 10) Efe Ajagba, May 3 Next: TBA 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

Record: 28-0, 22 KOs Last: W (KO5) Claudio Squeo, June 8th Next: December 6 vs. Huseyin Cinkara

• Gilberto Ramirez     Previous ranking: 2

Record: 46-1, 30 KOs Last: W (UD12) Yuniel Dorticos, June 28 Next: January 16 vs. Robin Sirwan Safar

• Chris Billam-Smith     Previous ranking: 3

Record: 21-2, 13 KOs Last: W (UD12) Brandon Glanton, April 26th Next: TBA

• Badou Jack     Previous ranking: 4

Record: 29-3-3, 17 KOs Last: W (MD12) Norair Mikaeljan, May 3rd Next: December 13 vs. Norair Mikaeljan

• Norair Mikaeljan     Previous ranking: 5

Record: 27-3, 12 KOs Last: L (MD12) Badou Jack, May 3rd Next: December 13 vs. Badou Jack

• Aleksei Papin     Previous ranking: 6

Record: 19-1, 17 KOs Last: W (UD10) Miljan Rovcanin, July 19th Next: TBA

• Michal Cieslak     Previous ranking: 7

Record: 28-2, 22 KOs Last: W (TKO4) Jean Pascal, June 28 Next: TBA

• Ryan Rozicki     Previous Ranking: 8

Record: 20-1-1, 19 KOs Last: D (Majority Draw 12) Yamil Peralta, December 7th Next: TBA

• Yamil Peralta     Previous ranking: 9

Record: 17-1-1, 9 KOs Last: D (Majority Draw 12) Ryan Rozicki, December 7 Next: TBA

• Leonardo Mosquea     Previous ranking: 10

Record: 17-0, 10 KOs Last: W (TKO9) Ivan Gabriel Garcia, June 12th Next: TBA LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (UP TO 175 POUNDS)

The numbers behind Bivol’s victory in the rematch against Beterbiev. Check out the stats from Dmitry Bivol’s victory against Artur Beterbiev.

• Dmitry Bivol     Previous Ranking: 1

Record: 24-1, 12 KOs Last: W (MD12) Artur Beterbiev, February 22 Next: TBA

• Artur Beterbiev     Previous ranking: 2

Record: 21-1, 20 KOs Last: L (MD12) Dmitry Bivol, February 22 Next: TBA

• David Benavidez     Previous Ranking: 3

Record: 31-0, 25 KOs Last: W (TKO7) Anthony Yarde, November 22 Next: TBA

• Callum Smith     Previous Ranking: 4

Record: 31-2, 22 KOs Last: W (UD12) Joshua Buatsi, February 22 Next: TBA

• David Morrell Jr.     Previous ranking: 5

Record: 12-1, 9 KOs Last: W (SD12) Imam Khataev, July 12th Next: TBA

• Imam Khataev     Previous ranking: 6

Record: 10-1, 9 KOs Last: L (SD10) David Morrell Jr., July 12 Next: December 11 vs. Adam Deines

• Anthony Yarde     Previous ranking: 7

Record: 27-4, 24 KOs Last: L (TKO7) David Benavidez, November 22 Next: TBA

• Oleksandr Gvozdyk     Previous ranking: 8

Record: 21-2, 17 KOs Last: W (KO3) Anthony Hollaway, April 19th Next: TBA

• Albert Ramirez     Previous Ranking: 9

Record: 22-0, 19 KOs Last: W (TKO7) Jerome Pampellone, August 8th Next: TBA

• Joshua Buatsi     Previous Ranking: 10

Record: 20-1, 13 KOs Last: W (MD10) Zach Parker, November 1st Next: TBA 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

Record: 42-0, 31 KOs Last: W (UD12) Canelo Alvarez, September 13th Next: TBA

• Canelo Alvarez     Previous Ranking: 2

Record: 63-3-2, 39 KOs Last: L (UD12) Terence Crawford, September 13th Next: TBA

• Diego Pacheco     Previous ranking: 3

Record: 24-0, 18 KOs Last: W (UD12) Trevor McCumby, July 19 Next: December 13 vs. Kevin Lele Sadjo

• Hamzah Sheeraz     Previous Ranking: 4

Record: 22-0-1, 18 KOs Last: W (KO5) Edgar Berlanga, July 12 Next: TBA

• Christian Mbilli     Previous Ranking: 5

Record: 29-0-1, 24 KOs Last: D (Split Draw 10) Lester Martinez, September 13th Next: TBA

• Lester Martinez     Previous ranking: 6

Record: 19-0-1, 16 KOs Last: D (Split draw 10) Christian Mbilli, September 13th Next: TBA

• Jermall Charlo     Previous ranking: 7

Record: 34-0, 23 KOs Last: W (TKO6) Thomas LaManna, May 31st Next: TBA

• Edgar Berlanga     Previous Ranking: 8

Record: 23-2, 18 KOs Last: L (KO5) Hamzah Sheeraz, July 12 Next: TBA

• Jose Armando Resendiz     Previous ranking: 9

Record: 16-2, 11 KOs Last: W (SD12) Caleb Plant, May 31 Next: TBA

• Caleb Plant     Previous Ranking: 10

Record: 23-2, 14 KOs Last: L (SD12) Jose Armando Resendiz, March 31st Next: TBA MIDDLEWEIGHT (UP TO 160 POUNDS)

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

• Janibek Alimkhanuly     Previous ranking: 1

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

• Carlos Adames     Previous Ranking: 2

Record: 24-1-1, 18 KOs Last: D (Split Draw 12) Hamzah Sheeraz, February 22nd Next: TBA

• Conor Benn     Previous Ranking: 3

Record: 23-1, 14 KOs Last: W (UD12) Chris Eubank Jr., November 15th Next: TBA

• Chris Eubank Jr.     Previous Ranking: 4

Record: 35-4, 25 KOs Last: L (UD12) Conor Benn, November 15th Next: TBA

• Anauel Ngamissengue     Previous ranking: 5

Record: 14-1, 9 KOs Last: L (TKO5) Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, April 5th Next: TBA

• Etinosa Oliha     Previous ranking: 6

Record: 22-0, 10 KOs Last: W (TKO3) Ivan Njegac, September 12th Next: TBA

• Fiodor Czerkaszyn     Previous Ranking: 7

Record: 26-1, 16 KOs Last: W (TKO2) Patrick Allotey, February 1st Next: TBA

• Yoenli Hernandez     Previous ranking: 8

Record: 8-0, 7 KOs Last: W (TKO1) Ramon De La Cruz Sena, October 12th Next: TBA

• Troy Isley     Previous Ranking: 9

Record: 15-0, 5 KOs Last: W (UD10) Etoundi Michel William, June 7th Next: TBA

• Austin Williams     Previous ranking: 10

Record: 19-1, 13 KOs Last: W (TKO9) Ivan Vazquez, July 19th Next: TBA