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Boxer Rankings Without Weight Classes: How Far Has ‘Bam’ Rodriguez Climbed?

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5 months ago

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The juvenile fighter has been making waves over the past few years, taking over various weight classes and rising through the ranks. And with a performance against future Hall of Famer Juan Francisco Estrada on June 29th, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez earned high marks from our expert panel.

Rodriguez (20-0, 13 KOs) dominated Estrada en route to a seventh-round KO victory to capture the WBC junior bantamweight title. Rodriguez is only 24 years ancient, but has already won titles in two weight classes. He is also ESPN’s top under-25 fighter.

Rodriguez’s win over Estrada was impressive and prompted most of our panelists to move him higher on their P4P lists.

“Bam” Rodriguez has quickly become an elite mandatory. He doesn’t just outbox his opponents; he dismantles them at the highest level,” ESPN boxing writer Mike Coppinger said of Rodriguez’s move up three spots to No. 5 on his list. “The latest illustration of his greatness: the way he dismantled Estrada. Rodriguez joins the likes of Terence Crawford, Oleksandr Usyk, Canelo Alvarez and Naoya Inoue as all-around contenders who are favorites no matter who they fight.”

ESPN boxing analyst Timothy Bradley Jr. agrees, saying Rodriguez’s skill set, versatility and performances against top fighters in his weight class make him a must-watch fighter on TV.

“Bam” Rodriguez is arguably one of the top five boxers in the world, regardless of weight class,” said Bradley, who ranked Rodriguez No. 5 on his list. “Greatness is measured by consistency in bringing out the best in you, and “Bam” has certainly proven that.”

Rodriguez moved up two spots to No. 7.

Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez also won their fights, but both had to go the distance against opponents they were favorites to beat. Stevenson was -3,500 against Artem Harutyunyan, whom he defeated by unanimous decision on July 6. Lopez entered his June 29 fight with Steve Claggett as a -1,200 favorite. He also won by unanimous decision, but neither Stevenson nor Lopez were able to score a knockdown or cause any real trouble for their opponents.

They occupy the last two places and close the top ten.

Our panel of Coppinger, Bradley, Joe Tessitore, Teddy Atlas, Nick Parkinson, Eric Raskin, Michelle Joy Phelps, Claudia Trejos, Bernardo Osuna, Crystina Poncher, Eric Woodyard, Bernardo Pilatti, Charles Moynihan, Salvador Rodriguez, Jim Zirolli, Michael Mascaro, Aladdin Freeman, Victor Lopez, and Damian Delgado Averhoff shared their votes.

1. OLEKSANDR USYKPrevious Ranking: No. 1

RECORD: 22-0, 14 KO
DEPARTMENT: Heavyweight (Undisputed Champion)
LAST FIGHT: In (SD12) Tyson Fury, May 18
NEXT FIGHT: December 21st vs Tyson Fury

2. TERENCE CRAWFORDPrevious Ranking: No. 2

RECORD: 40-0, 31 KO
DEPARTMENT: Welterweight (unified champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (TKO9) Errol Spence Jr., July 29
NEXT FIGHT: August 3 vs. Israil Madrimov

3. INOUE NAOYAPrevious Ranking: No. 3

RECORD: 27-0, 24 KO
DEPARTMENT: Junior featherweight (undisputed champion)
LAST FIGHT: In (KO6) Luis Nery, May 6
NEXT FIGHT: TBA vs. TJ Doheny

4. DMITRY BIVOLPrevious Ranking: No. 4

RECORD: 23-0, 12 KO
DEPARTMENT: Featherlight Heavyweight (Champion)
LAST FIGHT: In (TKO6) Malik Zinad, June 1
NEXT FIGHT: Oct. 12 vs. Artur Beterbiew

5. CANELO ALVAREZPrevious Ranking: No. 5

RECORD: 61-2-2, 39 KO
DEPARTMENT: Super Middleweight (Undisputed Champion)
LAST FIGHT: In (UD12) Jaime Munguia, May 4
NEXT FIGHT: To determine

6. ARTHUR BETERBIEWPrevious Ranking: No. 6

RECORD: 20-0, 20 KO
DEPARTMENT: Featherlight Heavyweight (Unified Champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (TKO7) Callum Smith, January 13
NEXT FIGHT: October 12 vs. Dmitry Bivol

7. JESSE “BAM” RODRIGUEZPrevious Ranking: No. 9

RECORD: 20-0, 13 KO
DEPARTMENT: Junior bantam (champion)
LAST FIGHT: In (KO7) Juan Francisco Estrada, June 29
NEXT FIGHT: To determine

8. GERVONTA DAVISPrevious Ranking: No. 7

RECORD: 30-0, 28 KO
DEPARTMENT: Lightweight (champion)
LAST FIGHT: In (KO8) Frank Martin, June 15
NEXT FIGHT: To determine

9. SHAKUR STEVENSONPrevious Ranking: No. 8

RECORD: 22-0, 10 KO
DEPARTMENT: Lightweight (champion)
LAST FIGHT: In (UD12) Artem Harutyunyan, July 6
NEXT FIGHT: To determine

10. TEOFIMO LOPEZPrevious Ranking: No. 10

RECORD: 21-1, 13 KO
DEPARTMENT: Junior Welterweight (Champion)
LAST FIGHT: In (UD12) Steve Claggett, June 29th
NEXT FIGHT: To determine

Formula

The rankings are based on a descending points system, with a first place vote awarding 10 points, a second place vote awarding 9 points, etc. In the event of a tie, the player with the highest rank wins, followed by the player with the most votes at that rank.

Others receiving votes: Vasiliy Lomachenko (10), Tyson Fury (9), David Benavidez (6), Junto Nakatani (4), Errol Spence Jr. (2), Devin Haney (1).

How our writers voted

Atlas: 1. Usyk, 2. Crawford, 3. Inoue, 4. Buffalo, 5. Davis, 6. Lomachenko, 7. Beterbiev, 8. Alvarez, 9. Fury, 10. Rodriguez

Bradley: 1. Usyk, 2. Crawford, 3: Inoue, 4. Beterbiev, 5. Rodriguez, 6. Davis, 7. Buffalo, 8. Alvarez, 9. Lopez, 10. Stevenson

Copper: 1. Usyk, 2. Crawford, 3. Inoue, 4. Alvarez, 5. Rodriguez, 6. Buffalo, 7. Davis, 8. Beterbiev, 9. Nakatani, 10. Hanej

Weaver: 1. Usyk, 2. Crawford, 3. Inoue, 4. Beterbiev, 5. Buffalo, 6. Stevenson, 7. Alvarez, 8. Rodriguez, 9. Lopez, 10. Davis

Parkinson’s: 1. Usyk, 2. Inoue, 3. Crawford, 4. Alvarez, 5. Buffalo, 6. Rodriguez, 7. Beterbiev, 8. Lomachenko, 9. Davis, 10. Nakatani

Raskin: 1. Usyk, 2. Crawford, 3. Inoue, 4. Buffalo, 5. Alvarez, 6. Rodriguez, 7. Davis, 8. Stevenson, 9. Beterbiev, 10. Benavides

Punch: 1. Crawford, 2. Usyk, 3. Inoue, 4. Alvarez, 5. Buffalo, 6. Beterbiev, 7. Rodriguez, 8. Davis, 9. Stevenson, 10. Lopez

Osuna: 1. Usyk, 2. Inoue, 3. Crawford, 4. Buffalo, 5. Alvarez, 6. Rodriguez, 7. Beterbiev, 8. Stevenson, 9. Davis, 10. Lopez

Phelps: 1. Usyk, 2. Alvarez, 3. Inoue, 4. Crawford, 5. Beterbiev, 6. Buffalo, 7. Fury, 8. Lopez, 9. Davis, 10. Stevenson

Rodriguez: 1. Usyk, 2. Inoue, 3. Crawford, 4. Alvarez, 5. Buffalo, 6. Davis, 7. Rodriguez, 8. Beterbiev, 9. Stevenson, 10. Lopez

Three: 1. Usyk, 2. Crawford, 3. Inoue, 4. Buffalo, 5. Alvarez, 6. Beterbiev, 7. Davis, 8. Stevenson, 9. Rodriguez, 10. Lopez

Wood composition: 1. Crawford, 2. Inoue, 3. Usyk, 4. Alvarez, 5. Davis, 6. Lopez, 7. Stevenson, 8. Buffalo, 9. Beterbiev, 10. Fury

Moynihan: 1. Crawford, 2. Inoue, 3. Usyk, 4. Alvarez, 5. Beterbiev, 6. Buffalo, 7. Davis, 8. Stevenson, 9. Spence, 10. Benavides

Pilate: 1. Usyk, 2. Inoue, 3. Crawford, 4. Buffalo, 5. Davis, 6. Rodriguez, 7. Beterbiev, 8. Benavides, 9. Lomachenko, 10. Fury

Zirolli: 1. Usyk, 2. Crawford, 3. Inoue, 4. Stevenson, 5. Alvarez, 6. Beterbiev, 7. Buffalo, 8. Rodriguez, 9. Lopez, 10. Benavides

Hood: 1. Crawford, 2. Inoue, 3. Usyk, 4. Rodriguez, 5. Buffalo, 6. Beterbiev, 7. Alvarez, 8. Lopez, 9. Davis, 10. Stevenson

Citizen: 1. Crawford, 2. Inoue, 3. Usyk, 4. Beterbiev, 5. Buffalo, 6. Alvarez, 7. Rodriguez, 8. Davis, 9. Stevenson, 10. Nakatani

Lopez: 1. Crawford, 2. Usyk, 3. Inoue, 4. Alvarez, 5. Buffalo, 6. Rodriguez, 7. Davis, 8. Beterbiev, 9. Stevenson, 10. Lopez

Delgado Averhof: 1. Inoue, 2. Usyk, 3. Crawford, 4. Buffalo, 5. Alvarez, 6. Rodriguez, 7. Davis, 8. Beterbiev, 9. Stevenson, 10. Fury

ESPN Expert Poll

First place: Usyk (12) Crawford (6), Inoue (1)

Second place: Inoue (8), Crawford (7), Usyk (3), Alvarez (1)

Third place: Inoue (10), Crawford (5), Usyk (4)

Fourth place: Alvarez (7), Bivol (6), Beterbiev (3), Crawford (1), Rodriguez (1), Stevenson (1)

Fifth place: Bivol (6), Alvarez (5), Beterbiev (3), Davis (3), Rodriguez (2)

Sixth place: Rodriguez (6), Bivol (4), Beterbiev (3), Davis (2), Alvarez (1), Stevenson (1), Lopez (1), Lomachenko (1)

Seventh place: Davis (6), Beterbiev (4), Rodriguez (3), Bivol (2), Alvarez (2), Stevenson (1), Fury (1)

Eighth place: Beterbiev (4), Stevenson (4), Alvarez (2), Rodriguez (2), Davis (2), Lopez (2), Bivol (1), Lomachenko (1), Benavidez (1)

Ninth place: Stevenson (5), Davis (4), Lopez (3), Beterbiev (2), Rodriguez (1), Lomachenko (1), Fury (1), Nakatani (1), Spence (1)

10th place: Lopez (5), Stevenson (3), Fury (3), Benavidez (3), Nakatani (2), Rodriguez (1), Davis (1), Haney (1)

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Boxing

The fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel will take place on December 14 at the Toyota Arena

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1 day ago

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November 23, 2024

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Rocha vs Curiel

In a clash of forces between two world title contenders, NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO) will put his skills to the test against undefeated knockout and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar “. Curiel (15-0, 13 KO).

The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, December 14, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.

“‘The best versus the best’ is Golden Boy’s mantra and that’s what fans will see as Rocha and Curiel take on everything that’s on the table,” said President and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Rocha is a veteran whose goal is to win the world title, Curiel is an undefeated blue-chip prospect with huge potential. It’s really a 50/50 fight and I’m looking forward to it.”

Tickets for the Rocha vs. match Curiel will go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. PT and will be priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, excluding applicable service fees. A confined number of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available, including exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or at the Toyota Arena box office from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00

“I’ve seen Raul Curiel all these years and he never once mentioned my name,” Alexis Rocha said. “After my last defeat, he suddenly became interested in fighting me. If he thinks I’ve lost a step or somehow had an simple fight, he’s in for a rude awakening. I can’t wait to make a statement and show the world what I’m capable of.”

Santa Ana, California Rep. Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a struggling family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at the age of 14 in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world by becoming a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made his professional debut in March 2016, defeating Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Since then, he has amassed an enviable record of powerful knockouts over top contenders and plans to return to world title contention, with his last fight being a victory over undefeated Santiago Dominguez on July 19 last year.

“The fans can expect a war,” said Raul Curiel. “I’m going to prepare well to put on a great show. This will be the most essential fight of my career so far. I know Alexis is a great fighter, a good opponent and will also show up prepared. My focus is on Alexis and if I can beat him, I know it will give me a chance to fight for the world championship.

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Boxing

George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team

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2 days ago

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November 23, 2024

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George Kambosos beats Teofimo

Former 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.

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Boxing

Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul

Published

3 days ago

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November 21, 2024

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Mike Tyson comeback black

One 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.

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