Middleweight is one of boxing’s classic divisions, with fighters from across generations such as Marvin Hagler, Jake LaMotta and Harry Greb making 160 pounds the mainstay of their careers, while others such as “Sugar” Ray Robinson and Sam Langford spent time at the weight.
In a recent episode of ProBox TV’s Top Stories, analysts Chris Algieri, Teddy Atlas and Paulie Malignaggi focused on the up-to-date middleweight division, specifically BoxingScene’s ranking of the top five fighters.
About the only consensus reached was that today’s middleweight ranks could utilize Greb and Hagler — or maybe Tony Zale and Billy Conn. “The weight class isn’t that deep,” Algieri said. But boxing being what it is, fortunes can change quickly. At least one could be on the cusp of stardom, threatening to bring the division back into the spotlight.
5. Hamza Sheraz (20-0, 16 KOs)
Sheeraz, a 25-year-old from the UK, has stopped each of his nine opponents, including Liam Williams in February and Ammo Williams in June so far in 2024. At 6ft 3ins, he is high, powerful and, it seems, has barely scratched the surface of his potential.
“It’s only going to get better,” analyst Teddy Atlas said of Sheeraz. “Really, the best thing you can say about him is I think he’s just at the beginning of where he’s going to go — where he can go — in terms of his development.”
” />
4. Erislandy Lara (30-3-3, 18 KO)
Even at 41, and having established himself over the course of a 16-year professional career, Lara isn’t just holding his own. The Cuban left-hander, who has only been defeated by split or majority decision – by Paul Williams, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Jarrett Hurd – is still finding recent dimensions to his skills.
“Sometimes he comes out like a bat out of hell and knocks guys out in the first or second round at 160 pounds,” Algieri said of Lara, who will face Danny Garcia in Las Vegas on Sept. 14. “It’s almost like he found his punch here at 160 pounds, even 154 pounds. The higher he went, the harder he punched.”
3. Chris Eubank Jr (33-3, 24 KO)
ProBox TV analysts weren’t as enthusiastic about Eubank Jr. as BoxingScene journalists were, but the 34-year-old son of a former two-division world champion deserves some consideration in the lower weight class – especially after he rehabilitated himself from the only knockout loss of his career by getting even with Liam Smith in a rematch in September 2023.
“He’s talented, athletic, he can punch – and until the Liam ‘Beefy’ Smith fight he was really strong,” Algieri said of Eubank Jr.
While Malignaggi admits Eubank Jr. is a charismatic figure with a vast following, he also describes him as the “ideal” candidate to fight Alvarez at some point – which is not the compliment it might initially seem.
“Eubank Jr. wasn’t even on my list,” Malignaggi said, ranking him just outside his top five middleweight contenders. “He’s one of those guys who’s just there for the name recognition.”
2. Carlos Adames (24-1, 18 KO)
The physically fit 30-year-old Dominican native Adames came onto the radar of most fans and pundits in 2021 with a dominant win over Sergiy Derevyanchenko. He has since stopped Juan Macias Montiel and Julian Williams, and most recently defeated Terrell Gausha by wide decision in June.
“I’m a large fan of Carlos Adames,” Algieri said. “I like the way he fights; I like his physicality; I like his skill set. I think he’s got a lot of momentum and the right attitude to be a great fighter.”
Malignaggi, for his part, said he would even bet on Adames to beat the number one player on this list.
1. Janibek Alimkhanukly (15-0, 10 KO)
Kazakhstan’s Alimhanukly is a unique case in that he’s a talented dual-belt holder who is also virtually untested at the elite level and has left much to be desired of tardy, most recently dropping out of his July defense against Andrei Mikhailovich after being hospitalized after struggling to make weight.
Still, Malignaggi, who calls Alimkhanukly “very simple to beat,” still ranks him atop his list of the five best middleweights. And Algieri, despite his own reservations, has been effusive in his praise. In any case, the ProBox TV analysts agree that Alimkhanukly has reached a turning point in his career.
“I voted on a few of his fights in The Bubble for Top Rank when he was starting out, and I was thrilled – he looked fantastic,” Algieri said. “And then recently he looked flat. And then, in his last fight, he missed weight and got diseased. So something changed. Something turned around.”
“He’s huge!” Atlas said. “I mean, when I first saw him, a few things stood out to me: how large he was, how powerful he was, and his length, and he knew how to utilize that length.”
Whether Alimkhanukly has outgrown the middleweight division or cracks are showing in the discipline’s once-shakable foundation, he may not have much longer to earn the number one spot — or any other — at 160 pounds.
WBN understands that despite alternative options emerging, it is more likely that Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios next.
Bob Santos, coach of WBC welterweight champion Barrios, told World Boxing News that he is currently in contact with Pacquiao’s team. Asked by WBN if he had spoken to Pacquiao or representatives of any other challenger, Santos replied: “Yes, Pacquiao’s promoter, Sean Gibbons.” Pressed on whether Barrios vs Pacquiao might happen next, he added: “It’s challenging to say. We’ll have to see how this plays out.”
WBN contacted Santos after Conor Benn emerged as a potential alternative to Barrios. The British fighter, who recently returned from a suspension following two positive drug tests, is keen to return to competition.
Benn showed favor with the World Boxing Council at the recent WBC Convention, the WBC Evaluation Committee and during an interview with the sanctioning body over the weekend. “The Destroyer” is ranked second in the rankings at 147 pounds, despite less than solid opponents during his time in exile, during which Benn competed twice in the United States while his career in the United Kingdom was in doubt.
As he battled to clear his name and with the British Anti-Doping Authority finding no evidence that Benn had intentionally taken ostarine, the 28-year-old’s career took a pointed nosedive. Despite this, he remains highly rated and at least one step away from fighting for an eliminator or one of the remaining championship titles.
However, Pacquiao remains Barrios’ favorite. Now it’s up to the boxing legend and Hall of Famer who got the first votes to secure his shot. WBN believes a July date – most likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – is the most realistic date for a Nevada swan song.
Pacquiao could extend his record as the oldest welterweight champion by six years if he can secure a huge victory over the 29-year-old world champion. At 46 years antique, such a scenario remains unlikely, but he can never be compared to one of the greatest players of this generation.
Unlike heavier boxers and his training regiment, Pacquiao looks in great shape despite his advanced age. Everything is set for a massive return to the boxing capital of the world, provided Pacquiao and his team can manage his political ambitions, which are expected to run from this month until May. After that time, Pacquiao could find himself in the summer finals and become the all-time champion, regardless of the result.
Barrios is based in the city, where he trained with Santos, and would be the perfect opponent to see out the career of one of the greatest fighters in history.
Deontay Wilder has not retired from boxing at the age of 39, and the former WBC heavyweight champion has not issued any official statement.
World Boxing News can confirm that reports circulating on social media are false and originated from a imitation account on Up-to-date Year’s Day. As of January 2, 2025, WBN has had no word from Wilder that he plans to hang up his gloves.
As usual, WBN also asked Shelly Finkel for comment. However, Finkel has repeatedly said in the past that Wilder is not retiring. This case seems to be no different.
The last time Wilder spoke publicly was while promoting a mental health app, the Brown Bomber was unveiling plans to return to the sport.
He said: “The push-up protocol has been disabled. Strengthen your body and train your mind; no paid subscription required! It’s not about money. It’s about a mission to strengthen mindsets and improve mental health for all. To everyone: operate your services and achieve greatness.
“There will be people who tell you, ‘No, you can’t.’ [No] People trying to stop you or putting up stop signs. [No] People who want to bring you down and keep you down. But you can’t give up.
“No matter how many times you fall, no matter how many times you get knocked down, it’s a resilient mind, a confident mind, a powerful mind that gets back up and keeps moving forward to achieve your greatness.
“Apply your service. Achieve your greatness,” he added.
Deontay Wilder could announce his retirement tomorrow if he changed his mind, but at the time of the report, there was no truth to it.
When Zhilei Zhang knocked him out on June 1 in Saudi Arabia, the formidable top-flight contender needed time to assess his situation. WBN understands that Wilder has received offers, including contact from Francis Ngannou, regarding a possible boxing match with the MMA star.
The Wilder vs. Ngannou fight only makes sense for an American his age. Many voluntary positions [of which Wilder is WBC number 13] are occupied by threatening opponents who would start each clash as favorites.
Meanwhile, the Ngannou fight is winnable with less risk and more rewards, meaning Wilder can still earn a significant payday before hanging up his gloves for good.
Rising Irish boxing star Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-0, 11 KO), the current World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight continental champion, had to withdraw from his scheduled December “stay busy” fight due to a minor injury but now is preparing to fight his biggest rival in what may be the most anticipated Irish boxing match in history.
The All-Ireland fight between Donovan, who fights in Limerick and trains in Dublin, and Lewis “The Croc” Crocker (20-0, 11 KO) of Belfast, Northern Ireland, is scheduled for March 1. “Point of Pride” will headline the Matchroom Boxing card, which will be broadcast live on DAZN from the SES Arena as part of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) world title eliminator. Just two fights away, Donovan could win a world title if he defeats Crocker as the IBF mandatory challenger.
“There is something different about a good Irish fighter and I believe I will be next,” Donovan declared. “I think turning pro at 19 and now 25 has required a lot of life changes since I turned pro. What matters most is what I learned in the gym, because it was the ups and downs in life – being a husband and father, losing loved ones – that helped me improve. I improved as a person, which helped me become a better fighter.”
A true fighter from the past, Donovan is currently rated by three of the four major sanctioning bodies: WBA No. 5, IBF No. 6 and World Boxing Council No. 14. He has dreamed of being a world champion since he was seven years senior.
“I’m in an amazing position, so I thank God for that and my team, Andy Lee (head coach/co-manager) and (Up-to-date York lawyer) Keith Sullivan (co-manager),” Donovan noted. “It’s great to be ranked so highly at this stage of my career, but I’m where I need to be. To be ranked so high on three major sanctioning bodies is great. I know I won’t stop until I become world champion.
“I’m always at the gym thinking about the next challenge. I say it’s time. I love what I do. I am very grateful to God for being in this situation. I believe in God’s plan for me to become world champion.”
“It’s definitely going to be an explosive fight,” commented Up-to-date York attorney Keith Sullivan, who co-manages Donovan with former world middleweight champion Andy Lee, who is also Paddy’s head trainer. “Two tough, resilient Irishmen who have a lot to prove to the world. We were worried about the injury, but we are sure it will not be a problem during the March 1 battle. Paddy is locked down and training difficult under the watchful eye of coach Andy Lee.
Donovan has dedicated several of his recent fights to Pieta, using his boxing platform to promote the suicide prevention charity, which provides mental health services across Ireland. Paddy lost two relatives to suicide. The Pietra Crisis Helpline, at 1-800-247-247, offers crisis intervention support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harm, as well as support for those grieving as a result of suicide.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok
Interviews3 months ago
MMA8 months ago
Boxing6 months ago
Interviews8 months ago
Opinions & Features3 months ago