Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis has been added to the #7 spot in The Ring’s updated rankings for the 154-lb division following his first-round knockout victory over contender Uisma Lima last Saturday.
Eye test on CV
This is a ranking created by eye test, as Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs) hasn’t beaten anyone nearly well enough to be moved to the top #7 spot. He would have moved up higher if he fought one of the top tier contenders. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, came up empty in an effort to get a better fighter.
The Ring 154-lb updated rankings
- Vergil Ortiz Jr.
- Sebastian Fundora
- Israel Madrimov
- Bakhram Murtazaliev
- Erickson Lubin
- Xander Zayas
- Jaron Ennis
- Brandon Adams
- Jesus Ramos
- Abass Baraou
Madrimov’s controversial #3 spot
The list is decent. Some of the grumbling by fans on X is about recently beaten former WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Israil Madrimov being ranked #3. Madrimov (10-2-1, 7 KOs) has a 0-2 record in his last two fights, and hasn’t won a fight in a year and a half.
Madrimov still fought better opposition than Ennis, and the fighters ranked below him in the Ring’s 154-lb rankings. He barely lost to Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Terence Crawford in his last two fights. He might have beaten Vergil had he not been sick, and many boxing fans believe he deserved a win over Crawford. I let him win, and I have years of experience.
Ortiz Jr. ‘s dubious #1 ranking
To Vergil Ortiz Jr. ranking #1 doesn’t make sense at all because he hasn’t looked good enough in his last two fights to be ranked that high. His 12-round majority decision victory over Serhii Bohachuk on August 10, 2024 was controversial, as he was dropped twice in the fight.
His 12-round unanimous decision victory over Madrimov on February 22, earlier this year, was very close. The judges gave it to Ortiz Jr. given by scores of 115-113, 115-113 and 117-111. Madrimov was coming off a bad case of acute bronchitis coming into the fight with Vergil, and he had trouble breathing during the fight.
Chris Williams has covered boxing since 2010, bringing fans reliable analysis and insight from the front row to the main events.
Last updated on 15/10/2025
