Itauma Impact: Heavyweight Ranking Rise After KO of Whyte

It’s time to start taking Moses Itauma seriously as a heavyweight contender. Itauma, 20, quickly dispatched former champion Dillian Whyte with a first-round knockout on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) punished Whyte with a series of violent blows that sent “The Body Snatcher” to the canvas in less than two minutes. It was the eighth first-round finish of Itauma’s young career and the most impressive to date. Whyte, 37, is no longer in his prime, but had only previously lost to world champions and had never been finished as quickly as he was by Itauma. The sky is the limit for Itauma, who rises to number 8 in the heavyweight rankings. Also on Saturday in Riyadh, Nick Ball (23-0-1, 13 KOs) retained his WBA featherweight title with a very disputed decision victory over Sam Goodman. The results did not reflect the competitive nature of the fight. Although it was a unanimous decision with scores of 118-110, 117-111 and 115-113, Goodman proved to be a tough rival. Each round was relatively close, with Ball pulling away at the end with power punches that neutralized Goodman’s jab and movement. Ball remains firm as the number 1 featherweight. On that same card, Filip Hrgovic survived a nasty cut on his left eyelid to take the decision over David Adeleye. The fight produced an eighth round that will be in the conversation for round of the year, as Adeleye got up from the canvas and traded blows until the bell. Hrgovic was the more accurate boxer and, with the victory, is ranked number 7 in the heavyweight division. In addition, Ray Ford won by unanimous decision over Abraham Nova. It was Ford’s third consecutive fight at junior lightweight since losing the WBA featherweight title to Ball last year. Ford remains at number 4 in the junior lightweight division and is approaching a title fight. Boxing rankings by division highlight the best in the sport in each weight category. Rankings will change based on recent results and performances. Fighters who have announced 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. Fighters currently holding titles in two divisions may be ranked in both. Fighters who have not competed in the last 12 months -and who do not have a scheduled fight- will be removed from the rankings until they fight again. Any fighter who tests positive for a performance-enhancing substance will also be removed. That boxer may re-enter the rankings after their next fight. To see a list of the current champions in all weight categories, click here. To see the women’s division rankings, click here.

HEAVYWEIGHT (NO LIMIT)

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 19th
• Next: To be determined

• 4. Joseph Parker   Previous ranking: 4
• Record: 36-3, 24 KOs
• Last: W (TKO2) Martin Bakole, February 22nd
• Next: To be determined

• 5. Agit Kabayel   Previous ranking: 5
• Record: 26-0, 18 KOs
• Last: W (KO6) Zhilei Zhang, February 22nd
• Next: To be determined

• 6. Anthony Joshua   Previous ranking: 6
• Record: 28-4, 25 KOs
• Last: L (KO5) Daniel Dubois, September 21st
• 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: 10
• Record: 14-0, 12 KOs
• Last: W (TKO1) Dillian Whyte, August 16th
• Next: To be determined

• 9. Zhilei Zhang   Previous ranking: 8
• Record: 27-3-1, 22 KOs
• Last: L (KO6) Agit Kabayel, February 22nd
• Next: To be determined

• 10. Fabio Wardley   Previous ranking: NR
• Record: 19-0-1, 18 KOs
• Last: W (KO10) Justis Huni, August 3rd
• Next: To be determined

Editor’s Note: Andy Ruiz Jr. has 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: To be determined

• 2. Gilberto Ramírez   Previous ranking: 2
• Record: 46-1, 30 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Yuniel Dorticos, June 28
• Next: To be determined

• 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: To be determined

• 5. Norair Mikaeljan   Previous ranking: 5
• Record: 27-3, 12 KOs
• Last: L (MD12) Badou Jack, May 3
• Next: To be determined

• 6. Aleksei Papin   Previous ranking: 6
• Record: 19-1, 17 KOs
• Last: W (UD10) Miljan Rovcanin, July 19
• 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: E (Majority Draw 12) Yamil Peralta, December 7th
• Next: October 25th against Akani Phuzi

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

• 10. Leonardo Mosquea   Previous ranking: 10
• Record: 16-0, 9 KOs
• Last: W (SD12) Cheavon Clarke, December 14th
• Next: To be determined

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (UP TO 175 POUNDS)

Dmitry Bivol vs. 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: November 22 against Deon Nicholson

• 3. David Benavidez    Previous ranking: 3
• Record: 30-0, 24 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) David Morrell Jr., February 1
• Next: November 22 against Anthony Yarde

• 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 12
• Next: To be determined

• 6. Imam Khataev   Previous ranking: 6
• Record: 10-1, 9 KOs
• Last: L (SD10) David Morrell Jr., July 12
• Next: To be determined

• 7. Joshua Buatsi   Previous ranking: 7
• Record: 19-1, 13 KOs
• Last: L (UD12) Callum Smith, February 22nd
• Next: November 1st against Zach Parker

• 8. Anthony Yarde   Previous ranking: 8
• Record: 27-3, 24 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Lyndon Arthur, April 26
• Next: November 22 against David Benavidez

• 9. Oleksandr Gvozdyk   Previous ranking: 9
• Record: 21-2, 17 KOs
• Last: W (KO3) Anthony Hollaway, April 19th
• Next: To be determined

• 10. Albert Ramirez   Previous ranking: 10
• Record: 22-0, 19 KOs
• Last: W (TKO7) Jerome Pampellone, August 8
• Next: To be determined

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT (UP TO 168 POUNDS)

Canelo Álvarez is facing Terence Crawford in a mega-fight on September 13 in Las Vegas.

• 1. Canelo Álvarez   Previous ranking: 1
• Record: 63-2-2, 39 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) William Scull, May 3
• Next: September 13 against Terence Crawford

• 2. Christian Mbilli   Previous ranking: 2
• Record: 29-0, 24 KOs
• Last: W (TKO1) Maciej Sulecki, June 27
• Next: September 13 against Lester Martínez

• 3. Diego Pacheco   Previous ranking: 3
• Record: 24-0, 18 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Trevor McCumby, July 19th
• Next: To be determined

• 4. Hamzah Sheeraz   Previous ranking: 4
• Record: 22-0-1, 18 KOs
• Last: W (KO5) Edgar Berlanga, July 12th
• Next: To be determined

• 5. Jermall Charlo   Previous ranking: 5
• Record: 34-0, 23 KOs
• Last: W (TKO6) Thomas LaManna, May 31st
• Next: To be determined

• 6. Edgar Berlanga   Previous ranking: 6
• Record: 23-2, 18 KOs
• Last: L (KO5) Hamzah Sheeraz, July 12
• Next: To be determined

• 7. Jose Armando Resendiz   Previous ranking: 7
• Record: 16-2, 11 KOs
• Last: W (SD12) Caleb Plant, May 31st
• Next: To be determined

• 8. Caleb Plant   Previous ranking: 8
• Record: 23-2, 14 KOs
• Last: L (SD12) Jose Armando Resendiz, March 31
• Next: To be determined

• 9. Bektemir Melikuziev   Previous ranking: 9
• Record: 16-1, 10 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Darius Fulghum, May 30
• Next: To be determined

• 10. Bruno Surace   Previous ranking: 10
• Record: 26-1-2, 5 KOs
• Last: L (UD12) Jaime Munguia, May 3
• Next: To be determined

Editor’s Note: Jaime Munguia has been removed after testing positive for a banned substance.

AVERAGE WEIGHT (UP TO 160 POUNDS)

Janibek Alimkhanuly wins in stunning fashion 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: To be determined

• 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. Erislandy Lara   Previous ranking: 3
• Record: 31-3-3, 19 KOs
• Last: W (TKO9) Danny García, September 14
• Next: To be determined

• 4. Chris Eubank Jr.   Previous ranking: 4
• Record: 35-3, 25 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Conor Benn, April 26
• Next: To be determined

• 5. Conor Benn     Previous ranking: 5
• Record: 23-1, 14 KOs
• Last: L (UD12) Chris Eubank Jr., April 26th
• Next: To be determined

• 6. Anauel Ngamissengue   Previous ranking: 6
• Record: 14-1, 9 KOs
• Last: L (TKO5) Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, April 5th
• Next: To be determined

• 7. Etinosa Oliha   Previous ranking: 7
• Record: 21-0, 9 KOs
• Last: W (TKO3) Alexander Pavlov, September 14th
• Next: To be determined

• 8. Fiodor Czerkaszyn   Previous ranking: 8
• Record: 26-1, 16 KOs
• Last: W (TKO2) Patrick Allotey, February 1st
• Next: To be determined

• 9. Yoenli Hernandez   Previous ranking: 9
• Record: 19-3-1, 6 KOs
• Last: W (UD10) Kyrone Davis, May 31st
• Next: To be determined

• 10. Troy Isley   Previous ranking: 10
• Record: 15-0, 5 KOs
• Last: W (UD10) Etoundi Michel William, June 7th
• Next: To be determined

SUPERWELTER (UP TO 154 POUNDS)

Xander Zayas becomes the youngest world champion at 22 years old

• 1. Terence Crawford   Previous ranking: 1
• Record: 41-0, 31 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Israil Madrimov, August 3rd
• Next: September 13th against Canelo Álvarez

• 2. Vergil Ortiz Jr.   Previous ranking: 2
• Record: 23-0, 21 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Israil Madrimov, February 22nd
• Next: November 8th against Erickson Lubin

• 3. Sebastian Fundora   Previous ranking: 3
• Record: 23-1-1, 14 KOs
• Last: W (TKO8) Tim Tszyu, July 19
• Next: To be determined

• 4. Bakhram Murtazaliev   Previous ranking: 4
• Record: 23-0, 17 KOs
• Last: W (TKO3) Tim Tszyu, October 19th
• Next: To be determined

• 5. Xander Zayas   Previous ranking: 5
• Record: 22-0, 13 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Jose Garcia Perez, July 26th
• Next: To be determined

• 6. Israil Madrimov   Previous ranking: 6
• Record: 10-2-1, 7 KOs
• Last: L (UD12) Vergil Ortiz Jr., February 22
• Next: To be determined

• 7. Tim Tszyu   Previous ranking: 7
• Record: 25-3, 18 KOs
• Last: L (TKO8) Sebastian Fundora, July 19th
• Next: To be determined

• 8. Serhii Bohachuk    Previous ranking: 8
• Record: 26-2, 24 KOs
• Last: W (UD10) Mykal Fox, May 17th
• Next: September 13th against Brandon Adams

• 9. Keith Thurman   Previous ranking: 9
• Record: 31-1, 23 KOs
• Last: W (TKO3) Brock Jarvis, March 12
• Next: To be determined

• 10. Jesus Ramos Jr.   Previous ranking: 10
• Record: 23-1, 19 KOs
• Last: W (TKO7) Guido Emmanuel Schramm, March 22nd
• Next: To be determined

WELTER (UP TO 147 POUNDS)

• 1. Jaron Ennis   Previous ranking: 1
• Record: 34-0, 30 KOs
• Last: W (TKO6) Eimantas Stanionis, April 12th
• Next: October 11th against Uisma Lima

• 2. Brian Norman Jr.   Previous ranking: 2
• Record: 28-0, 22 KOs
• Last: W (KO5) Jin Sasaki, June 19th
• Next: November 22nd against Devin Haney

• 3. Mario Barrios    Previous ranking: 3
• Record: 29-2-2, 18 KOs
• Last: E (Majority Draw 12) Manny Pacquiao, July 19th
• Next: To be determined

• 4. Eimantas Stanionis   Previous ranking: 4
• Record: 15-1, 9 KOs
• Last: L (TKO6) Jaron Ennis, April 12
• Next: To be determined

• 5. Devin Haney   Previous ranking: 5
• Record: 32-0-1 NC, 15 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Jose Ramirez, May 2
• Next: November 22 vs. Brian Norman Jr.

• 6. Manny Pacquiao   Previous ranking: 6
• Record: 62-8-3, 39 KOs
• Last: E (Majority Draw 12) Mario Barrios, July 19
• Next: To be determined

• 7. Shakhram Giyasov   Previous ranking: 7
• Record: 17-0, 10 KOs
• Last: W (KO4) Franco Ocampo, April 12th
• Next: To be determined

• 8. Giovani Santillan   Previous ranking: 8
• Record: 34-1, 18 KOs
• Last: W (UD10) Angel Beltran, May 10
• Next: To be determined

• 9. Rolando Romero   Previous ranking: 9
• Record: 17-2, 13 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Ryan Garcia, May 2
• Next: To be determined

• 10. Souleymane Cissokho   Previous ranking: 10
• Record: 17-0, 9 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Egidijus Kavaliauskas, May 10th
• Next: To be determined

SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT (UP TO 140 POUNDS)

Teofimo López wins by unanimous decision

• 1. Teofimo Lopez   Previous ranking: 1
• Record: 22-1, 13 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Arnold Barboza Jr., May 2
• Next: To be determined

• 2. Richardson Hitchins   Previous ranking: 2
• Record: 20-0, 8 KOs
• Last: W (TKO8) George Kambosos Jr., June 14
• Next: To be determined

• 3. Liam Paro   Previous ranking: 3
• Record: 26-1, 16