Boxing
2024 Ring Ratings Review: Middleweight
Published
2 months agoon
Denzel Bentley (left) and Janibek Alimkhanuly (right) trade punches during their WBO middleweight title fight at The Palms in Las Vegas. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images
The Ring first introduced its division rankings in 1925. Nearly a century later, it is no exaggeration to say that these independent rankings are the most respected and discussed in world boxing.
The Ring Ratings Panel consists of over a dozen experts from around the world. Opinions are shared, debate ensues, and the final decision on who should be ranked is made democratically every week. It sounds straightforward, but it can be a tedious and time-consuming process.
I will go through each division in reverse order, going from strawweight to heavyweight, and look at the performance of each fighter I evaluate. Then I will look into my crystal ball to see what may await me.
Next up is middleweight (160 pounds), which is one of boxing’s weakest divisions and is in dire need of a facelift.
As always, please enjoy the debate and respect other people’s opinions.
No. 1 – ŻANIBEK ALIMKHANUŁA
RECORD: 15-0 (10 KOs)
PAST: Alimkhanuly won gold at the 2013 World Championships before representing Kazakhstan at the 2016 Olympics, where he lost in the quarterfinals. As a professional, he moved quickly and scored impressive victories over Rob Brant (RTD 8) and Hassan N’dam (TKO 8). Alimkhanuly defeated Danny Dignum (KO 2) to win the vacant WBO interim title. When Demetrius Andrade did not return to middleweight, Alimkhanuly was promoted to full champion. The 31-year-old southpaw looked average in his match against Denzel Bentley (UD 12), but then returned to impressive form by defeating Steven Butler (KO 2). He stopped Vincenzo Gualtieri (TKO 6) to add an IBF unification title last October.
FUTURE: He was scheduled to defend his titles in July against Andrei Mikhailovich, but had to withdraw after he fainted while trying to gain weight. The fight ended in a bid, which Mikhailovich’s team won, and now Alimkhanuly will have to travel to Sydney, Australia to put his IBF title on the line on October 4.
— Janibek Alimkhanuly (@kazaqstyle) September 24, 2024
No. 2 – HAMZAH SHEERAZ
RECORD: 21-0 (17 KOs)
PAST: Sheeraz became a professional turner at the age of 18 and apprenticed at home in the UK before seeking out Rocky Funez to work at the Ten Goose gym in Los Angeles. It’s no coincidence that since wrestling Bradley, Skeete has become a much more complete fighter. when he had to come on overdue and stop the game in the ninth inning. The towering boxer-puncher scored three early victories over River Wilson-Bent (TKO 2), Dymtro Mytrofanov (TKO 2) and former world title challenger Liam Williams (TKO 1). However, what attracted attention was the stoppage of the fight against undefeated Austin Williams (TKO 11) in June and the destruction of the usually sturdy Tyler Denny (TKO 2) in the fight for the European champion.
FUTURE: He may face Denzel Bentley for the WBO interim title later this year.
No. 3 – CARLOS ADAMES
RECORD: 24-1 (18 KOs)
PAST: Adames was first noticed in the junior middleweight division, where he defeated Frank Galarza (TKO 4) and Patrick Day (UD 10). Adames was upset with Patrick Teixeira (UD 12) as he tried to win the vacant WBO interim title. After returning to action, he won two fights, followed by the best victory in his career over Sergiy Derevyanchenko (UD 10). The powerhouse fighter from the Dominican Republic became the interim WBC title holder (unrecognized by The Ring) when he knocked out Juan Macias Montiel (KO 3) and defended his title by defeating former unified junior middleweight champion Julian Williams (TKO 9). The 30-year-old became the full champion and defended the title in a fight against Terrell Gausha (UD 12).
FUTURE: Next, he can defend his title against the hazardous Meiirim Nursultanov.
No. 4 – ERISLANDY LARA
RECORD: 31-3-3 (19 KOs)
PAST: The Cuban amateur was the favorite to win Olympic gold in 2008, but he defected earlier. He became a cornerstone of the junior middleweight division, defeating Austin Trout (UD 12), Vanes Martirosyan (UD 12) and Terrell Gausha (UD 12). He was never convincingly defeated. Lara gave Paul Williams (L SD 12), Canelo Alvarez (L SD 12) and Jarrett Hurd (L SD 12) all they could handle in narrow points defeats. The 41-year-old southpaw moved up to middleweight and won four fights to claim the WBA title, most recently defeating former two-division champion Danny Garcia (RTD 9).
FUTURE: I fought recently, so I won’t fight for the rest of the year.
No. 5 – CHRIS EUBANK JR.
RECORD: 33-3 (24 KOs)
PAST: Eubank learned on the job as a professional before narrowly making the decision in favor of the much more experienced Billy Joe Saunders (UD 12). He moved up to 168 pounds and defeated Arthur Abraham (UD 12) and Avni Yildirim (KO 3) before taking a decision to George Groves (UD 12) in the World Boxing Super Series tournament. He bounced back with a win over James DeGale (UD 12) and has since dropped down to 160 pounds. The 35-year-old defeated Liam Williams four times en route to a 12-round unanimous decision and was shockingly stopped by Liam Smith (TKO 4), but returned in the rematch with a comprehensive victory (TKO 10).
FUTURE: On October 12 in Riyad, he will face former world title contender Kamil Szeremeta.
Hit list #RiyadSeason pic.twitter.com/8cL8nkk9EE
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) September 8, 2024
NO. 6 – MEIIRIM NURSULTANOW
RECORD: 20-0 (11 KOs)
PAST: Before he began his professional career in America in 2016, Nursultanov was a talented amateur. The 31-year-old boxer has since fought around the world and has victories over Andrey Sirotkin (RTD 5), former world title challenger Marcelo Coceres (UD 10), broke the record of Kazuto Takesako (TKO 8) and defeated Julio Alamosa (UD 12)
FUTURE: He is in talks with WBC champion Adames.
No. 7 – ETINOSA OLIHA
RECORD: 21-0 (9 KOs)
PAST: Oliha won his first 16 fights in his native Italy before impressing during a sparring session with William Scull and being captured by Agon. Now he fights for a German promoter. Since then, the 26-year-old has defeated the undefeated pair of Julio Alamos (UD 12) and Faton Vukshinaj (UD 12), and recently stopped Alexander Pavlov (TKO 3) in an IBF eliminator.
FUTURE: Oliha is fresh off his victory over Pavlov and will be monitoring the situation in the fight for the IBF title on Friday.
No. 8 – KYRONE DAVIS
RECORD: 19-3-1 (6 KOs)
PAST: The Delaware native has been a professional for ten years. He won his first 10 fights before losing to fellow undefeated Junior Castillo (UD 8). Four fights later he lost to Patrick Day (UD 10) in the junior middleweight division. He was offered a super middleweight fight against Anthony Dirrell and a surprise draw for the former titleholder. This result led to a fight with David Benavidez (L TKO 7). This defeat prompted him to return to middleweight, where he won three fights, including a upset victory over Elijah Garcia (SD 10).
FUTURE: He will be hoping to turn Garcia’s victory into something more significant.
No. 9 – TROY ISLAND
RECORD: 13-0 (5 KOs)
PAST: Isley was a standout amateur who represented the U.S. at the 2017 World Championships, where he won bronze, and at the 2020 Olympics (postponed to 2021), where he reached the round of 16. In early 2021, he turned professional and rose through the ranks. The 26-year-old has notable wins over raw spoiler Vladimir Hernandez (UD 8) and most recently against fellow prospect Javier Martinez (UD 10).
FUTURE: Isley will face once-defeated Tyler Howard on November 8 in Norfolk, Virginia.
No. 10 – SHANE MOSLEY JR.
RECORD: 22-4 (12 KOs)
PAST: Mosley followed his legendary namesake father into boxing, and although he suffered a few losses along the way – to Brandon Adams (UD 10) and Jason Quigley (MD 10) – he continues to learn and improve, giving him a five-fight winning streak that has includes victories over crafty veteran Gabe Rosado (MD 10), once-beaten D’Metrius Ballard (7 KO), and most recently overshadowed former champion Daniel Jacobs (UD 10).
FUTURE: He recently made his goal clear on social media.
I’m number one in the WBA!
I want Lara next!!!—Shane Mosley Jr. (@1ShaneMosleyJr) September 15, 2024
On the bend: Fyodor Cherkashin, Yoeneli Hernandez, Anauel Ngmissengue, Patrice Volny and Austin Williams
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George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team
Published
8 hours agoon
November 23, 2024Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.
Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.
The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.
Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.
The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.
“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.
“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.
“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”
Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.
“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].
Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.
“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.
Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.
“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.
Boxing
Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul
Published
2 days agoon
November 21, 2024One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.
WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.
Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.
“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.
“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.
“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.
He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”
Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.
Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.
Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.
Boxing
Lauren Price looks to win Jonas vs Habazin with an undercard victory
Published
2 days agoon
November 21, 2024Lauren Price MBE will defend her world title for the first time on Saturday, December 14 at the Exhibition Center in Liverpool, while the Welsh champion plans to stage an all-British unification clash with welterweight rival Natasha Jonas, which will headline the Collision Course that night.
Price defends her WBA welterweight title against undefeated Colombian challenger Bexcy Mateus on the same night as Jonas attempts to unify the IBF and WBC titles with Ivana Habazin as part of BOXXER’s ‘Collision Course’ fight night, which can be seen live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK UK and Ireland and Peacock in the US.
Price MBE (7-0, 1 KO) made history with an excellent performance, defeating former undisputed welterweight world ruler Jessica McCaskill in front of her fans in Cardiff in May.
Price, the first Welsh boxer to win Olympic gold, once again entered the record books by becoming the country’s first world champion in just her seventh professional fight. The 30-year-old from Ystrad Mynach, who has yet to lose a round as a professional, will now defend her world titles for the first time as she focuses on dominating the welterweight division.
Mateus (7-0, 6 KO), ranked No. 5 in the WBA rankings, is undefeated in the professional ranks and has won all but one of her seven fights by knockout. The 29-year-old from Bogota, fighting outside her native Colombia for the first time, will now have her first chance at global fame, with her goal to dethrone Price and take the top spot in the welterweight division.
Lauren Price said: “I’m excited to defend my belts and complete what has been an crucial year for me. I have full respect for Mateusz. I will prove that I am the best in the division and I will not let anything or anyone stand in my way of being undisputed.”
BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said: “It’s a massive night for the women’s welterweight division with three world champions competing. Natasha Jonas returns to her hometown for a mandatory unification fight against Ivana Habazin, and Lauren Price defends her world titles against undefeated challenger Bexcy Mateus. The fight for the undisputed continues. If Natasha and Lauren win on December 14, it will set the stage for a massive “Battle Of Britain” world title unification fight next year.
There’s reason to celebrate as BOXXER delivers a Christmas cracker to end the year. In addition to the world championship fights between Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price, fight fans can expect a gala full of drama and entertainment.
Undefeated Irishman Stephen McKenna (15-0, 14 KO) will face English champion Lee Cutler (14-1, 7 KO) in an invigorating super welterweight fight for the silver WBC International title.
McKenna impressed fans in his three-round fight against Joe Laws last August at Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley. The two struck out in the first round, then McKenna began to apply the pressure, losing Laws three more times and maintaining his undefeated record after a third-round stoppage.
English cruiserweight champion Viddal Riley (11-0, 6 KO) returns to action from a rib injury that has kept him out of the ring since a career-best victory over Mikael Lawal in March. Riley will be looking to shake off the ring rust as he takes on high-profile opponents in the recent year.
Undefeated Chorley super middleweight Mark Jeffers (18-0, 5 KO) scored an explosive fifth-round knockout victory over Darren Johnston in May and will be looking to bring more drama to Liverpool’s Exhibition Center as he goes in search of his 19th professional win.
Mason Cartwright (20-4-1, 8 KO) from Cheshire, a former two-time British title challenger from Ellesmere Port, will be counting on local support as he returns to the title track.
After signing a promotional contract with BOXXER, local star Frankie Stringer (8-0, 1 KO) can achieve his third victory in 2024, when he returns in front of his fans in Liverpool. The 23-year-old lightweight fighter is a player of the notable city team Rotunda ABC, and his manager is former world champion Liam Smith.
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