Yevgeny Romanov remains in third place in the WBA rankings despite a series of defeats, he turned 40 years elderly and has not recorded any victory since 2023.

The Russian boxer, renowned for being the first to stop Deontay Wilder, has maintained his high position in the latest WBA bridgeweight rankings despite a string of results that would normally relegate most contenders to the bottom of the list.

Romanov is currently behind Julio Cesar La Cruz and Andrew Tabiti, with only champion Muslim Gadzhimagomedov and interim titleholder Vartan Arutyunyan ahead of him in the latest rankings.

Career in reverse

Romanov’s fall was dramatic.

After compiling a professional record of 19-0 and preparing for a potential world title fight, the Russian was knocked out in two rounds by Zhaoxin Zhang in February 2024.

At the time, defeat looked like a bad night against an unannounced opponent. What happened next only deepened the decline.

Romanov returned in July 2025 and suffered another defeat, retiring after five rounds to Georgi Yunovidov. He hasn’t fought since.

These two losses followed a victory over Wilmer Vasquez in September 2023, which remains Romanov’s last victory.

Now 40 years elderly and inactive for almost a year, Romanov appears to be further away from a title shot than ever since turning professional.

Still number three

Despite this form, Romanow remains third in the WBA rankings.

The ranking stands out even more considering the state of the current bridge division.

Several spots in the rankings remain vacant, reflecting the ongoing struggle to establish depth at 224 pounds. In fact, almost half of the WBA’s current top 15 remains vacant.

The lack of challengers should not become an excuse for players who have stopped winning. Romanov now suffered further defeats, including a knockout defeat, and spent another long period on the bench.

What does the WBA see?

The problem is not that Romanov lost. Players lose all the time. The problem is that Romanov hasn’t won since 2023, suffered a knockout defeat, then suffered another defeat, and then disappeared from the ring again.

Form has to count for something.

Even if the WBA is having difficulty filling all the bridgeweight rankings due to lack of interest in the division, keeping fighters ranked just because they have been ranked before is not how the rankings should work.

This only creates confusion and leaves energetic challengers wondering what they need to do to get ahead of him.

One loss could have justified Romanov’s removal from the upper rankings, especially considering the manner in which the defeat occurred.

To keep him in third place after another loss and another nine months MIA is astounding.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

Keyshawn’s comments came shortly after Haney publicly mentioned the possibility of facing Shakur, even suggesting he would be willing to adjust his weight to make the fight happen. The WBO welterweight champion is increasingly talking about Stevenson as the biggest fight available to him, even though Davis is the must-see.

Things changed when Shakur reposted Davis’ message, seemingly acknowledging his close friend’s demand that Haney fulfill his mandatory obligation.

Haney and Keyshawn have exchanged words multiple times in recent weeks. Haney initially welcomed the fight earlier this month when he publicly challenged Davis. Lately, however, his attention has turned to Shakur, a fight that would likely generate much more commercial interest.

Keyshawn, an Olympic silver medalist who has quickly become one of the most outspoken adolescent fighters in the sport, has repeatedly said he wants the fight with Haney and described it as one of the biggest fights the division can face.

Haney won the WBO welterweight title earlier this year and now faces mounting pressure to clarify his next move. If Stevenson remains his preferred option, there will continue to be questions about how long Davis will be forced to wait for the mandatory opportunity he feels he deserves.

Keyshawn has made his position clear for now. In his opinion, Haney should stop looking for alternatives and focus on the challenger standing directly in front of him.

Devin Haney is still looking for an opponent for the first defense of his WBO welterweight title, but any hopes that it will be Shakur Stevenson are fading.

In November, Haney passed Brian Norman Jr. and won the world welterweight titles. He has not fought since then, with targeted unifications against Rolando Romero and former rival Ryan Garcia coming to naught.

This now also applies to Shakur Stevenson, whose insistence on a hydration clause or catchweight per match is a step too far for Haney.

He said on social media that the fight with Stevenson would be the biggest of the year, but he also acknowledged the enormity of the fight with former WBO lightweight champion Keyshawn Davis.

“Me vs. Shakur” is the most essential one [fight of the year]. Our fight [vs. Keyshawn Davis] it would be substantial though.

Stevenson responded to these comments by presenting Haney’s demands for a public welterweight fight.

“And let me guess, I have to come in your weight class for this fight to happen because you say so?”

Haney then confirmed the disease before focusing on Davis, who is Stevenson’s close friend and training partner.

“Whenever you decide to come to “my weight class,” do it!

“For now, I’ll fight your brother Keyshawn…”

Davis was recently announced as the number one contender in this WBO division, meaning the fight will be scheduled soon. It would mark another step up for “The Businessman,” who has only fought twice at super lightweight, but last time out against Nahir Albright he struggled to break the 140-pound limit.