Juan Francisco Estrada (proper) and Roman Gonzalez placed on one other basic of their rubbermatch, gained by “El Gallo.” Photograph: @MatchroomBoxing
The Ring first launched its divisional rankings in 1925. Nearly a century later, it’s no exaggeration to say that these impartial rankings are probably the most revered and talked-about in world boxing.
The Ring Rankings Panel is made up of a dozen consultants from around the globe. Opinions are shared, debate takes place, and the ultimate choice on who ought to be ranked the place is determined democratically each week. It sounds simple, however this may be an arduous and time-consuming course of.
Throughout the pandemic, we reviewed and broke down every division in full. In a two-pronged strategy, we regarded again on the respective achievements of the best fighters on the planet and analyzed what lay forward.
Final 12 months, we regarded again on how every division was doing and have determined after a busy first half of 2023 to compile one other divisional breakdown.
Subsequent up is the expertise wealthy junior bantamweight, which has an fascinating mixture of future corridor of famers, prime contenders and rising stars. As at all times, please benefit from the debate and respect different individuals’s opinions.
CHAMPION JUAN FRANCISCO ESTRADA
RECORD: 44-3 (28 KOs)
THE PAST: Got here of age in a shedding effort to former pound-for-pound king Roman Gonzalez (UD 12) in November 2012. Rebounded to win WBA and WBO 112-pound titles on the expense of Brian Viloria (SD 12). After making 5 defenses, Estrada abdicated his throne for a transfer as much as junior bantamweight. After shedding to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (MD 12), he outboxed the big-punching Thai to say Ring and WBC junior bantamweight titles within the rematch. He made three defenses, edging previous rival Gonzalez (SD 12) who held the WBA title, in a basic. “El Gallo” had his WBA and WBC titles taken when he spent 18-months on the sidelines. When he returned he was given a tougher than anticipated time towards Argi Cortes (UD 12). Nevertheless, the 33-year-old returned to kind boxing to an early lead and holding off Gonzalez (UD 12) to choose up the vacant WBC title of their trilogy combat.
THE FUTURE: Apparently there have been discussions about him going through WBA counterpart Kazuto Ioka.
No. 1 KAZUTO IOKA
RECORD: 30-2-1 (15 KOs)
THE PAST: After claiming titles at strawweight and junior flyweight, Ioka misplaced for the primary time to IBF flyweight titleholder Amnat Ruenroeng (SD 12). Unperturbed, the Japanese star rebounded to finest Juan Carlos Raveco (MD 12) to win the WBA belt in that division. He made 5 defenses, together with a rematch victory over Raveco (TKO 11), then shockingly retired from the game in 2017. Nevertheless, following a 17-month layoff, Ioka returned at junior bantamweight in the hunt for extra glory. Misplaced a WBO title bout to Donnie Nietes (SD 12) however stopped Aston Palicte (TKO 10) for the exact same belt after Nietes vacated. The four-weight world titleholder made six profitable defenses, notably stopped Kosei Tanaka (TKO 8) earlier than dominating Nietes (UD 12) in a rematch. Seemed to unify with WBA titlist Joshua Franco however needed to accept a draw. Ioka, 34, determined to vacate his title as a substitute of going through his necessary to pursue a rematch with Franco and impressively gained a 12-round unanimous choice.
THE FUTURE: Hopes to face Ring and WBC titlist Estrada.
No. 2 ROMAN GONZALEZ
RECORD: 51-4 (41 KOs)
THE PAST: The legendary Gonzalez annexed titles at strawweight, junior flyweight and flyweight earlier than shifting north as soon as extra. In 2016, “Chocolatito” dared to be nice when he stepped as much as junior bantamweight in a bid to surpass his idol and mentor, the late-great Alexis Arguello, by changing into a four-weight world champion. Gonzalez edged the larger Carlos Cuadras (UD 12) to say the WBC title. He put two losses to Srisaket behind him when he rolled again the years to say the WBA title with a ninth-round stoppage of Kal Yafai. Gonzalez made one protection earlier than shedding controversially to Estrada (SD 12) of their rematch. Bounced again with an awesome win over reigning WBC 112-pound titlist Julio Cesar Martinez (UD 12) in a catchweight bout. Misplaced the rubber match with Estrada (UD 12) final day trip.
THE FUTURE: Nothing been talked about, however at 36 just a few fights left and is probably going assessing his choices.
No. 3 JUNTO NAKATANI
RECORD: 25-0 (19 KOs)
THE PAST: The heavy-handed boxer-puncher ran by means of his early opposition and holds wins over future junior flyweight titleholder Masamichi Yabuki (UD 4), flyweight contender Seigo Yuri Akui (TKO 6) and handed the litmus check of former 108-pound titleholder Milan Melindo (TKO 6). Covid stymied the tall 25-year-old’s progress and he needed to wait 13-months to win the vacant WBO title towards Giemel Magramo (TKO 8). He made two defenses, together with his American debut, when he stopped former titleholder Angel Acosta (TKO 4) and on the undercard of Gennadiy Golovkin-Ryota Murata, he was equally spectacular bludgeoning Ryota Yamauchi (TKO 8). Moved as much as 115-pounds and beat robust Mexican Francisco Rodriguez Jr. (UD 10) earlier than capturing the vacant WBO title with a spotlight reel knockout over Andrew Moloney (KO 11).
THE FUTURE: Will defend his title for the primary time towards robust Mexican Argi Cortes in Tokyo on September 18.
IBF junior bantamweight champ Fernando Martinez (proper) works the mitts with coach Rodrigo Calabrese (left) beneath the gaze of his present promoter Marcos Maidana (heart, background) – Photograph by Diego Morilla
No. 4 FERNANDO MARTINEZ
RECORD: 16-0 (9 KOs)
THE PAST: Martinez was a standout beginner and represented his residence nation of Argentina all around the world. Martinez appeared within the World Sequence of Boxing and the 2016 Olympics earlier than turning skilled in 2017. Received his first 9 fights, all in Argentina, earlier than venturing to South Africa to cease Athenkosi Dumezweni (TKO 11). The 32-year-old was largely unknown till he upset Jerwin Ancajas (UD 12) to win the IBF title and repeated the trick in his first protection. Adopted that with a late stoppage over one other Filipino Jade Bornea (TKO 11).
THE FUTURE: Freed from rematch and necessary obligations can now look to unify, although might must make an non-obligatory protection earlier than the celebrities can align.
No. 5 JOSHUA FRANCO
RECORD: 18-2-3 (8 KOs)
THE PAST: Franco was extremely regarded earlier than being upset by Lucas Emanuel Fernandez Leone (TKO 9). Has turn into extra battle-hardened, sharing 30 grueling rounds with Oscar Negrete (D 10, SD 10 and D 10). That have served the 27-year-old Texan properly when he beat Andrew Moloney two out of 3 times (UD 12/ ND 2/ UD 12). As WBA ‘common’ titleholder, he waited patiently to face Estrada, however, when that didn’t occur, the WBA stripped the Mexican and promoted Franco to full world titleholder. Engaged in a two combat sequence with Ioka (D 12/ L UD). Badly lacking weight within the second combat and promptly retired throwing his profession into doubt.
THE FUTURE: Has mentioned he’s retired, being given a brief keep of absense earlier than being faraway from the rankings.
No. 6 KOSEI TANAKA
RECORD: 19-1 (11 KOs)
THE PAST: Tanaka gained the WBO strawweight title from Julian Yedras (UD 12) in his fifth combat and made one protection. He then moved as much as junior flyweight and gained the vacant WBO title and made two defenses. The Japanese star outgrew that division and edged Sho Kimura (MD 12) to win the WBO flyweight title. He made three defenses of that one, notably outboxing former unified junior flyweight titleholder Ryoichi Taguchi (UD 12) and stopping present WBO 108-pound titlist Jonathan Gonzalez (TKO 7). The now 28-year-old jumped to 115 kilos however was brutally stopped by Ioka (TKO 8). The three-weight world champion has regained his confidence with 4 wins.
THE FUTURE: Prone to return within the fall whether or not that’s a marking time combat or a title combat stays to be seen.
No. 7 SRISAKET SOR RUNGVISAI
RECORD: 52-6-1 (44 KOs)
THE PAST: Unseated WBC junior bantamweight titleholder Yota Sato (TKO 8) in Could 2013 however misplaced it to Carlos Cuadras (TD 8) after one protection. Reeled off 15 consecutive wins to earn a shot at his previous title towards then-pound-for-pound No. 1 Roman Gonzalez. Srisaket upset large odds to win a controversial majority choice however left little question within the rematch, which he gained through brutal fourth-round knockout. Went 1-1 with the aforementioned Estrada. Stayed within the title image with three wins whereas awaiting the rubber match, however settled on going through rising star Jesse Rodriguez for his previous title and was stopped in eight rounds. The 36-year-old might have seen higher days however has gained two fights since coming again.
THE FUTURE: Staying busy combating on August 26, whereas he waits for some motion within the WBC rankings.
Sor Rungvisai (proper) tags Estrada of their first battle. Photograph: Twitter @HBOboxing
No. 8 FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ JR.
RECORD: 37-6-1 (25 KOs)
THE PAST: Headed to Nicaragua and misplaced to nationwide hero Roman Gonzalez (TKO 7) early in his profession. Dropped to strawweight and knocked out Merlito Sabillo (TKO 10) to turn into WBO titleholder on the age of 20 earlier than including the IBF belt in a unification with Katsunari Takayama (UD 12). In 2015, he moved as much as junior flyweight and misplaced back-to-back selections to Donnie Nietes (UD 12) and Moises Fuentes (SD 12). “Chihuas” moved up in weight as soon as extra and went on a 15-fight win streak to earn a shot at WBO titleholder Ioka (L UD 12). After two wins again in Mexico, the 31-year-old headed again to Japan the place he misplaced to Nakatani (UD 10).
THE FUTURE: Has fought between 115-112-pounds, wherever the most effective alternative presents itself. Nevertheless, a excessive WBC rating at flyweight counsel he’d prefer to problem Martinez if he can.
No. 9 DAVID CUELLAR
RECORD: 25-0 (17 KOs)
THE PAST: Cuellar began boxing at 5 and loved a great beginner profession earlier than he turned skilled in 2017. Since then he has fought solely in Mexico. The 21-year-old has wins over beforehand unbeaten Karim Arce (KO 9) and former world titleholder Moises Fuentes (KO 6), who later tragically misplaced his life from accidents suffered within the combat. “El Basic” is ranked within the prime 15 by all 4 sanctioning our bodies and is properly regarded in Mexican circles. Stayed busy towards a third-round stoppage over Marlon Rios on Friday.
THE FUTURE: Prone to return within the fall and is able to step up. Match ups with the likes of battle-tested countrymen Israel Gonzalez or Jonathan Rodriguez would signify that and present how good he is likely to be.
No. 10 ANDREW MOLONEY
RECORD: 25-3 (16 KOs)
THE PAST: Moloney was a seasoned beginner and gained gold on the 2014 Commonwealth video games. Has scored stable wins over Luis Concepcion (TKO 10), Miguel Gonzalez (TKO 8) and Elton Dharry (RTD 8). The Australian got here up quick in a 3 combat sequence with then WBA titlist Franco (UD 12/ ND 2/ UD 12). 4 wins noticed him properly positioned to face Nakatani for the vacant WBO title however was knocked out in 11-rounds.
THE FUTURE: Needs to make one other title run and hopes to return later this 12 months.
On the Cusp: Argi Cortes, Carlos Cuadras, Israel Gonzalez, Pedro Guevara and Jonathan Rodriguez
YOU MAY HAVE MISSED:
The Ring Rankings Reviewed: Pound for Pound – The Ring (ringtv.com)
https://www.ringtv.com/657260-the-ring-ratings-reviewed-strawweight/
The Ring Rankings Reviewed 2023: Junior flyweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Rankings Reviewed 2023: Flyweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
Questions and/or feedback may be despatched to Anson at [email protected].