Itauma Impact: Stunning Knockout and Rise in the Heavyweight Rankings

It’s time to start taking Moses Itauma seriously as a heavyweight contender. Itauma, 20 years old, quickly dispatched former champion Dillian Whyte with a first-round knockout on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) hit Whyte with a series of violent blows that ended “The Body Snatcher” 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 scores 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 opponent. 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 of Alofoke Deportes. On the same card, Filip Hrgovic survived a nasty cut on his left eyelid to take a 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 rang. Hrgovic was the sharper boxer and, with the victory, is ranked number 7 in the heavyweight division. Additionally, 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. Alofoke Deportes’ boxing rankings by division highlight the best in the sport in each weight category. The rankings will change based on 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 weight 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 who 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 may re-enter the rankings after their next fight.

Heavyweight Ranking

Oleksandr Usyk unanimously defeats 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 19
• 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 19th
• Next: TBA

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

• Agit Kabayel     Previous Ranking: 5
• Record: 26-0, 18 KOs
• Last: W (KO6) Zhilei Zhang, February 22nd
• Next: TBA

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

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

• Fabio Wardley     Previous Ranking: NR
• Record: 19-0-1, 18 KOs
• Last: W (KO10) Justis Huni, August 3rd
• Next: TBA

Editor’s Note: Andy Ruiz Jr. has been removed due to inactivity.

Cruiserweight

• Jai Opetaia     Previous Ranking: 1
• Record: 28-0, 22 KOs
• Last: W (KO5) Claudio Squeo, June 8th
• Next: TBA

• Gilberto Ramirez     Previous ranking: 2
• Record: 46-1, 30 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Yuniel Dorticos, June 28th
• Next: TBA

• 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 3
• Next: TBA

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

• 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: October 25th vs. Akani Phuzi

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

• Leonardo Mosquea     Previous Ranking: 10
• Record: 16-0, 9 KOs
• Last: W (SD12) Cheavon Clarke, December 14th
• Next: TBA

Light Heavyweight

1:01The numbers behind Bivol’s rematch victory against BeterbievTake a look at the statistics from Dmitry Bivol’s win against Artur Beterbiev.

• Dmitry Bivol     Previous Ranking: 1
• Record: 24-1, 12 KOs
• Last: W (MD12) Artur Beterbiev, February 22nd
• Next: TBA

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

• David Benavidez     Previous Ranking: 3
• Record: 30-0, 24 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) David Morrell Jr., February 1st
• Next: Nov. 22 vs. Anthony Yarde

• Callum Smith     Previous ranking: 4
• Record: 31-2, 22 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Joshua Buatsi, February 22nd
• Next: TBA

• David Morrell Jr.     Previous ranking: 5
• Record: 12-1, 9 KOs
• Last: W (SD12) Imam Khataev, July 12
• Next: TBA

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

• Joshua Buatsi     Previous Ranking: 7
• Record: 19-1, 13 KOs
• Last: L (UD12) Callum Smith, February 22nd
• Next: Nov. 1 vs. Zach Parker

• Anthony Yarde     Previous Ranking: 8
• Record: 27-3, 24 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Lyndon Arthur, April 26th
• Next: Nov. 22 vs. David Benavidez

• Oleksandr Gvozdyk     Previous Ranking: 9
• Record: 21-2, 17 KOs
• Last: W (KO3) Anthony Hollaway, April 19th
• Next: TBA

• Albert Ramirez     Previous Ranking: 10
• Record: 22-0, 19 KOs
• Last: W (TKO7) Jerome Pampellone, August 8th
• Next: TBA

Super Middleweight

Canelo Alvarez, above, is set to face Terence Crawford in a mega fight on September 13th in Las Vegas.

• Canelo Alvarez     Previous Ranking: 1
• Record: 63-2-2, 39 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) William Scull, May 3rd
• Next: September 13th vs. Terence Crawford

• Christian Mbilli     Previous Ranking: 2
• Record: 29-0, 24 KOs
• Last: W (TKO1) Maciej Sulecki, June 27th
• Next: September 13th vs. Lester Martinez

• Diego Pacheco     Previous Ranking: 3
• Record: 24-0, 18 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Trevor McCumby, July 19
• Next: TBA

• Hamzah Sheeraz     Previous Ranking: 4
• Record: 22-0-1, 18 KOs
• Last: W (KO5) Edgar Berlanga, July 12th
• Next: TBA

• Jermall Charlo     Previous Ranking: 5
• Record: 34-0, 23 KOs
• Last: W (TKO6) Thomas LaManna, May 31st
• Next: TBA

• Edgar Berlanga     Previous Ranking: 6
• Record: 23-2, 18 KOs
• Last: L (KO5) Hamzah Sheeraz, July 12
• Next: TBA

• Jose Armando Resendiz     Previous Ranking: 7
• Record: 16-2, 11 KOs
• Last: W (SD12) Caleb Plant, May 31
• Next: TBA

• Caleb Plant     Previous Ranking: 8
• Record: 23-2, 14 KOs
• Last: L (SD12) Jose Armando Resendiz, March 31st
• Next: TBA

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

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

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

Middleweight

1:08Alimkhanuly lands two ferocious shots for TKO winJanibek Alimkhanuly wins in stunning style over Anauel Ngamissengue in the fifth round.

• Janibek Alimkhanuly     Previous Ranking: 1
• Record: 17-0, 12 KOs
• Last: W (TKO5) Anauel Ngamissengue, April 5
• Next: TBA

• Carlos Adames     Previous Ranking: 2
• Record: 24-1-1, 18 KOs
• Last: D (Split Draw 12) Hamzah Sheeraz, February 22nd
• Next: TBA

• Erislandy Lara     Previous Ranking: 3
• Record: 31-3-3, 19 KOs
• Last: W (TKO9) Danny Garcia, September 14
• Next: TBA

• Chris Eubank Jr.     Previous Ranking: 4
• Record: 35-3, 25 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Conor Benn, April 26th
• Next: TBA vs. Conor Benn

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

• Anauel Ngamissengue     Previous Ranking: 6
• Record: 14-1, 9 KOs
• Last: L (TKO5) Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, April 5th
• Next: TBA

• Etinosa Oliha     Previous Ranking: 7
• Record: 21-0, 9 KOs
• Last: W (TKO3) Alexander Pavlov, September 14th
• Next: TBA

• Fiodor Czerkaszyn     Previous Ranking: 8
• Record: 26-1, 16 KOs
• Last: W (TKO2) Patrick Allotey, February 1st
• Next: TBA

• Yoenli Hernandez     Previous Ranking: 9
• Record: 19-3-1, 6 KOs
• Last: W (UD10) Kyrone Davis, May 31st
• Next: TBA

• Troy Isley     Previous Ranking: 10
• Record: 15-0, 5 KOs
• Last: W (UD10) Etoundi Michel William, June 7th
• Next: TBA

Super Welterweight

1:1222-year old Xander Zayas becomes current youngest world champXander Zayas becomes the youngest current world champion at 22 after being announced the winner.

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

• Vergil Ortiz Jr.     Previous Ranking: 2
• Record: 23-0, 21 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Israil Madrimov, February 22
• Next: Nov. 8 vs. Erickson Lubin

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

• Bakhram Murtazaliev     Previous ranking: 4
• Record: 23-0, 17 KOs
• Last: W (TKO3) Tim Tszyu, Oct 19
• Next: TBA

• Xander Zayas     Previous Ranking: 5
• Record: 22-0, 13 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Jose Garcia Perez, July 26th
• Next: TBA

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

• Tim Tszyu     Previous Ranking: 7
• Record: 25-3, 18 KOs
• Last: L (TKO8) Sebastian Fundora, July 19th
• Next: TBA

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

• Keith Thurman     Previous Ranking: 9
• Record: 31-1, 23 KOs
• Last: W (TKO3) Brock Jarvis, March 12
• Next: TBA

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

Welterweight

• Jaron Ennis     Previous Ranking: 1
• Record: 34-0, 30 KOs
• Last: W (TKO6) Eimantas Stanionis, April 12
• Next: Oct. 11 vs. Uisma Lima

• Brian Norman Jr.     Previous Ranking: 2
• Record: 28-0, 22 KOs
• Last: W (KO5) Jin Sasaki, June 19
• Next: Nov. 22 vs. Devin Haney

• Mario Barrios     Previous Ranking: 3
• Record: 29-2-2, 18 KOs
• Last: Draw (Majority Draw 12) Manny Pacquiao, July 19th
• Next: TBA

• Eimantas Stanionis     Previous Ranking: 4
• Record: 15-1, 9 KOs
• Last: L (TKO6) Jaron Ennis, April 12
• Next: TBA

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

• Manny Pacquiao     Previous Ranking: 6
• Record: 62-8-3, 39 KOs
• Last: Draw (Majority Draw 12) Mario Barrios, July 19th
• Next: TBA

• Shakhram Giyasov     Previous Ranking: 7
• Record: 17-0, 10 KOs
• Last: W (KO4) Franco Ocampo, April 12th
• Next: TBA

• Giovani Santillan     Previous Ranking: 8
• Record: 34-1, 18 KOs
• Last: W (UD10) Angel Beltran, May 10
• Next: TBA

• Rolando Romero     Previous Ranking: 9
• Record: 17-2, 13 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Ryan Garcia, May 2
• Next: TBA

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

Super Lightweight

1:01Teofimo Lopez cruises to unanimous-decision victoryTeofimo Lopez wins via unanimous decision over Steve Claggett in Miami.

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

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

• Liam Paro     Previous Ranking: 3
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