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, 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
