Errol Spence has been removed from the pound-for-pound rankings due to a year of inactivity (although many wanted it to happen sooner). (Photo by Esther Lin/Showtime)
For months, diehard fans have questioned Errol Spence’s inclusion in The Ring’s non-weight rankings. Some of the more obsessive boxing obsessives and purists DEMANDED that the former welterweight champion be removed.
Most pointed to the severity of Spence’s only professional defeat, which came at the hands of the punishing Terence Crawford July 29, 2023 as the primary reason he was no longer among the sport’s elite boxers. Some brought up how much time had passed since the 34-year-old Texan’s last win, a unanimous decision over Yordenis Ugas in April 2022, while others argued that Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) was never truly worthy of the pound-for-pound division (and of course they knew that all along, because they’re boxing geniuses).
Well, now that this week marks the one-year anniversary of Crawford’s loss, all you comment section geniuses and X-rated welterweight enthusiasts can rejoice! Spence is no longer ranked in The Ring’s welterweight or pound-for-pound rankings! (Most will probably just say “It’s time!”)
Devin Haney replaces Spence at No. 10. Haney, a former undisputed lightweight champion and The Ring’s No. 1 junior welterweight ranking, was removed from the mythical rankings following an April loss to Ryan Garcia, but the Ring Ratings Panel voted to reinstate him when the Up-to-date York State Athletic Commission reversed Garcia’s majority decision to a no-contest after he tested positive for a banned substance.
While we weren’t as anti-Spence as some of our critics (almost every fan with a podcast or YouTube channel), the committee counted down the months, weeks and days until our one-year inactivity clause kicked in. (In the meantime, Spence had fallen to 10th place among the younger, more energetic elites – Gervonta Davis, Jesse Rodriguez AND Junto Nakatani – He was promoted after achieving significant victories.)
Anson Wainwright started the discussion.
“Errol Spence has been out of action for a year,” he said. Wainwright“He can go out. There’s no obvious candidate who could come in. I can see reasons to bring any of them in. David Benavidez, Devin Haney, Vasily Lomachenko, Shakur Stevenson Or Kenshiro Teraji. I’d be interested to see what others think.”
Added Adam Abramowitz: “I would bring Haney back at number 10. I think that’s a good compromise considering the result of the (Ryan) Garcia fight.”
Added Jake Donovan: “I’m content with Adam’s suggestion to put Haney at P4P No. 10. On (Anson’s) list, anyone but Loma is fine.”
Added Abraham Gonzalez: “I would rather see Kenshiro (Teraji) at No. 10, but I can see why it would make sense to put Devin Haney at No. 10. I agree with Adam.”
Added Michael Montero: “When it comes to P4P, I don’t have a powerful opinion on who should take that last spot.
“I don’t even recognize 10 fighters in a P4P sense right now. But out of the names you mentioned, I’d say Haney deserves it the most.”
Added Daisuke Sugiura: “Haney is good in P4P #10 for me too. That’s how it should be.”
your favourite Editor in Chief reminded the commission that a change is also needed in the top ten welterweight fighters.
“Spence also has to leave the welterweight rankings, so who should we bring into the top 10 (probably 10th)?
“Souleymane Cissokho He has fought at junior middleweight for most of his career, but has fought his last two fights at welterweight. Raul Curiel (15-0, 13 KOs) seems to be knocking on the door. Who else is worthy? Blair Cobbs? (Oh my!)”
He replied Gonzalez“I agree about Curiel and before I even say Blair’s name, I’ll consider Paddy Donovan over Cobbs all day long. The welterweight division went from a glamour division to one with the least talent.”
Added Wainwright: “Oh my! Lack of talent in the welter. I haven’t seen that in forever. I think Curiel deserves that rating.
“I’m also good with Haney (pound-for-pound). We had him in the rankings before the Garcia fight, and now that’s resolved.”
Added Donovan: “Curiel is nippy, but he still seems more promising. I would choose Souleymane Cissokho or Lewis Crocker. Although all three show how far (low) we’re reaching to find a 10th contender for the welterweight title.
Added Tris Dixon: “Crocker is 10 years vintage for me.
“And yes to Haney’s return to P4P.”
Added Tom Gray: “My vote goes to Crocker.
“Haney is coming back to P4P. As I said before, he should have come back after the result was declared a No-Contest.”
Added Wasim Mather: “I am in favor of including Souleymane Cissokho/Donovan in the welterweight division and reinstating Haney in the P4P rankings.”
Added Diego Morilla: “Torn between Curiel and Crocker for 147… whoever needs extra votes can get them from me 😉.
“P4P also reluctantly votes for Haney.”
Loose Your: “OK, thanks to everyone for your thoughts on the recent welterweight contender. It’s clear there’s no clear choice, so I’m going to pull the trigger on our recent #10, but (as always) I’ll take all of your suggestions/comments on this into consideration in the Ring Ratings Update article posted on RingTV.com.”
From my perspective, Cissokho has only two fights at welterweight, and his tough 12-round majority decision over fringe contender Tulani Mbenge didn’t convince me of his potential. Crocker and Donovan are making noise in the UK, but both still strike me as domestic.
Donovan’s most significant win was against a former lightweight (Lewis Ritson). Crocker’s most significant win? I don’t know. It’s not 39-year-old former contender Joel Julio (39-20), who he crushed in two rounds in April. Tell me.
Curiel (15-0, 13 KOs), a 28-year-old Mexican Olympian (2016 Summer Olympics), hasn’t faced any world-beaters and is clearly still being developed by his Golden Boy management team and matchmakers (hence Jake’s “prospect” tag), but he’s defeated fighters I recognize as reliable guards (Courtney Pennington and Kendo Castaneda) or tough guys from the Southern California fight scene (Ferdinand Kerobyan and Elias Diaz). The Guadalajran has also demolished a few normally strong veterans (Brad Solomon in two rounds, Jorge Marron Jr. in one).
I chose “Sugar”.
RING RATINGS UPDATE (as of July 27):
POUND FOR POUND – Spence exits due to inactivity. Haney re-enters at #10.
HEAVYWEIGHT – Joe Joyce leaves the ring after losing on points after 10 rounds to veteran Derek Chisora. Marcin Drunk (20-1, 15 KOs), who will face the No. 7 ranked fighter Jared Anderson on Saturday he enters with number 10.
SUPERAVERAGE – David Benavidezwho intends to fight in the featherlight heavyweight division is leaving. Bektemir Melikuziew (14-1, 10 KOs) returns to the ring with number 10.
WELTERWEIGHT -Spence is leaving. Raul Curiel enters as number 10.
ROOSTER WEIGHT – Nonito Donaire exits due to inactivity. Daigo Higa (21-2-1, 19 KOs) returns to the ring with number 10.
STRAW – Pedro Tadurana moves up to No. 2 after brutal ninth-round knockout Ginjiro Shigeokawhich drops to 6th place.
“Taduran defeated Shigeoka by ninth-round knockout to regain the IBF title,” it was noted Wainwright“I didn’t expect that. (Oscar) Collazo is now number one (-ranked strawweight).
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