Itauma Impresses: No. 8 in Heavyweight Ranking After KO

It’s time to take Moses Itauma seriously as a heavyweight contender. Itauma, 20 years old, quickly resolved his fight against former champion Dillian Whyte, with a knockout in the first round on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) connected a series of violent blows that knocked out “The Body Snatcher” in less than two minutes. It was the eighth knockout finish in the first round of Itauma’s young career and the most impressive to date. Whyte, 37, is past his prime, but had only previously lost to world champions and had never been finished as quickly as Itauma did. 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 even, with Ball taking the lead at the end with power punches that neutralized Goodman’s jab and movement. Ball remains firm as the number 1 featherweight. On the same card, Filip Hrgovic survived a cut on his left eyelid to take the decision victory 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 exchanged 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 junior lightweight fight since losing the WBA featherweight title to Ball last year. Ford remains at number 4 in the junior lightweight division and is getting closer to 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. Boxers 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. Boxers currently holding 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.

For a list of current champions in all weight categories, click here. For women’s divisional rankings, click here.

HEAVYWEIGHT (NO LIMIT)

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 unanimous 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 16
• 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 28th
• 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 3rd
• 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 28th
• Next: To be determined

• 8. Ryan Rozicki     Previous ranking: 8
• Record: 20-1-1, 19 KOs
• Last: D (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)

The numbers behind Bivol’s victory in the rematch against Beterbiev. Take a look at the statistics from Dmitry Bivol’s victory against Artur Beterbiev.

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

• 2. Artur Beterbiev     Previous ranking: 2
• Record: 21-1, 20 KOs
• Last: L (MD12) Dmitry Bivol, February 22nd
• Next: November 22nd against Deon Nicholson

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

• 4. Callum Smith     Previous ranking: 4
• Record: 31-2, 22 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Joshua Buatsi, February 22nd
• 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 12
• Next: To be determined

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

• 8. Anthony Yarde     Previous ranking: 8
• Record: 27-3, 24 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Lyndon Arthur, April 26th
• Next: November 22nd 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 8th
• Next: To be determined

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT (UP TO 168 POUNDS)

Canelo Álvarez, above, faces 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 3rd
• Next: September 13th against Terence Crawford

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

• 3. Diego Pacheco     Previous Ranking: 3
• Record: 24-0, 18 KOs
• Last: W (UD12) Trevor McCumby, July 19
• 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 12th
• Next: To be determined

• 7. José 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) José Armando Resendiz, March 31st
• Next: To be determined

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

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

Alimkhanuly connects two ferocious blows for the TKO victory. 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: 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 Garcia, September 14th
• 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 vs. Conor Benn

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

• 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

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. 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) José García Pérez, July 26
• Next: To be determined

• 6. Israil Madrimov     Previous Ranking: 6
• Record: 10-2-1, 7 KOs
• Last: L (UD12) Vergil Ortiz Jr., February 22nd
• 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 12th
• Next: To be determined

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

WELTERWEIGHT (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: Draw (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 12th
• Next: To be determined

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

• 6. Manny Pacquiao     Previous Ranking: 6
• Record: 62-8-3, 39 KOs
• Last: Draw (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 12
• Next: To be determined

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

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

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

SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT (UP TO 140 L