The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2024: Middleweight

October 2, 2024

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Denzel Bentley (L) and Janibek Alimkhanuly (R) exchange punches during their WBO middleweight title match at The Palms in Las Vegas. Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images

The Presbytery first introduced its divisional ratings in 1925. Almost a century later, it is no exaggeration to claim that this independent ranking is the most respected and discussed in world boxing.

The Ring rating panel consists of a dozen experts from around the world. Opinions are shared, debate takes place and the final decision on who should be assigned where is democratically decided each week. It sounds easy, but it can be a laborious and time-consuming process.

I will go through each division in reverse order working my way up from strawweight to heavyweight and look at each ranked fighter’s respective achievements. I will then look into my crystal ball to see what lies ahead.

Next up is middleweight (160 pounds), which is one of boxing’s weakest divisions in boxing and in dire need of an overhaul.

As always, please enjoy the debate and respect other people’s opinions.

No. 1 – ZHANIBEK ALIMCHANULY

RECORD: 15-0 (10 KOs)

THE PAST: Alimkhanuly won gold at the 2013 World Championships before representing Kazakhstan at the 2016 Olympics, where he lost in the quarterfinals. As a professional, he moved quickly and scored impressive wins over Rob Brant (RTD 8) and Hassan N’dam (TKO 8). Alimkhanuly dismantled Danny Dignum (KO 2) to win the vacant WBO interim title. When Demetrius Andrade did not return to middleweight, Alimkhanuly was upgraded to full champion. The 31-year-old southpaw looked average against Denzel Bentley (UD 12), but then returned to impressive form and knocked out Steven Butler (KO 2). He stopped Vincenzo Gualtieri (TKO 6) to add the IBF title in a unification last October.

THE FUTURE: He was due to defend his titles against Andrei Mikhailovich in July but had to pull out after fainting making weight. The fight went to purse which was won by Mikhailovich’s team, and now Alimkhanuly will have to go to Sydney, Australia to put his IBF title on the line on October 4th.

🧐 pic.twitter.com/qEHnMuesDV

— Janibek Alimkhanuly (@kazaqstyle) September 24, 2024

No. 2 – HAMZAH SHEERAZ

RECORD: 21-0 (17 KOs)

THE PAST: Sheeraz turned professional at 18 and served his apprenticeship at home in the UK before finding Rocky Funez to work with at the Ten Goose gym in Los Angeles. It’s no coincidence that he’s developed into a much more complete fighter since battling Bradley Skeete. when he had to come in late and get a ninth round stoppage. The tall boxer-puncher scored a trio of early victories over River Wilson-Bent (TKO 2), Dymtro Mytrofanov (TKO 2) and former world title challenger Liam Williams (TKO 1). However, it was a stoppage over fellow undefeated Austin Williams (TKO 11) in June and demolition of the usually durable Tyler Denny (TKO 2) for the European title that caught the eye.

THE FUTURE: Could face Denzel Bentley for the WBO interim title later this year.

No. 3 – CARLOS ADAMES

RECORD: 24-1 (18 KOs)

THE PAST: Adames was first noticed at junior middleweight, where he beat Frank Galarza (TKO 4) and Patrick Day (UD 10). Adames was upset by Patrick Teixeira (UD 12) as he attempted to win the vacant WBO interim title. After returning to action, he won two fights before picking up a career-best win over Sergiy Derevyanchenko (UD 10). The powerful Dominican Republic fighter became WBC interim titleholder (not recognized by The Ring) when he knocked out Juan Macias Montiel (KO 3) and retained his title by former unified junior middleweight titleholder Julian Williams (TKO 9) to stop The 30-year-old was made full champion and defended his title against Terrell Gausha (UD 12).

THE FUTURE: Can next defend his title against dangerous Meiirim Nursultanov.

Erislandy Lara (left) entered the middleweight rankings with his TKO of Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan. Photo by Amanda Westcott-Showtime

No 4 – ERISLANDY LARA

RECORD: 31-3-3 (19 KOs)

THE PAST: The Cuban amateur standout would have been a favorite to win Olympic gold in 2008, but defected before that. Became a cornerstone of the junior middleweight division, defeating Austin Trout (UD 12), Vanes Martirosyan (UD 12) and Terrell Gausha (UD 12). He has never been beaten convincingly. Lara gave Paul Williams (L MD 12), Canelo Alvarez (L SD 12) and Jarrett Hurd (L SD 12) all they could handle in narrow points defeats. The 41-year-old southpaw has moved up to middleweight and has won four fights, winning the WBA title, most recently beating a shell of former two-division titleholder Danny Garcia (RTD 9).

THE FUTURE: Only fought recently so won’t fight for the rest of the year.

No. 5 – CHRIS EUBANK JR.

RECORD: 33-3 (24 KOs)

THE PAST: Eubank learned on the job like a pro before dropping a decision only to the much more experienced Billy Joe Saunders (UD 12). Moved up to 168 pounds and defeated Arthur Abraham (UD 12) and Avni Yildirim (KO 3) before dropping a decision to George Groves (UD 12) in the World Boxing Super Series tournament. Bounced back with a win over James DeGale (UD 12) and has since dropped back to 160 pounds. The 35-year-old knocked out Liam Williams four times en route to a wide 12-round unanimous decision and was shockingly stopped by Liam Smith (TKO 4), but bounced back with a comprehensive win (TKO 10) in their rematch.

THE FUTURE: He will face former world title challenger Kamil Szeremeta in Riyadh on October 12.

The hit list #Riyadh Season pic.twitter.com/8cL8nkk9EE

— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) September 8, 2024

No. 6 – MEIIRIM NURSULTANOV

RECORD: 20-0 (11 KOs)

THE PAST: Nursultanov was a talented amateur before starting a professional career in America in 2016. The 31-year-old boxer has since fought all over the world and owns victories over Andrey Sirotkin (RTD 5), former world title challenger Marcelo Coceres (UD 10) ), took the unbeaten record of Kazuto Takesako (TKO 8) and Julio Alamos (UD 12 ) beat.

THE FUTURE: In talks to face WBC titlist Adames.

No. 7 – ETINOSA OLIHA

RECORD: 21-0 (9 KOs)

THE PAST: Oliha won his first 16 fights in his native Italy before impressing in a sparring session with William Scull and was snapped up by Agon. He now fights for the German promoter. Since then, the 26-year-old undefeated pair has beaten Julio Alamos (UD 12) and Faton Vukshinaj (UD 12) and recently stopped Alexander Pavlov (TKO 3) in an IBF eliminator.

THE FUTURE: Oliha is fresh off the Pavlov win and will be eyeing the IBF title situation on Friday.

No. 8 – KYRONE DAVIS

RECORD: 19-3-1 (6 KOs)

THE PAST: The Delaware native has been a professional for a decade. He won his first 10 fights before losing to fellow undefeated Junior Castillo (UD 8). Four fights later, he lost to Patrick Day (UD 10) at junior middleweight. He was offered a super middleweight fight against Anthony Dirrell and surprisingly held the former title holder to a draw. This result led to a fight with David Benavidez (L TKO 7). That loss prompted him to return to middleweight where he won three fights, including an upset win over Elijah Garcia (SD 10).

THE FUTURE: He will hope to turn the victory from Garcia into something more meaningful.

Shane Mosley Jr. (right) pushes D’Metrius Ballard to the ropes in Round 7. Photo by Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy Promotions

No. 9 – TROY ISLEY

RECORD: 13-0 (5 KOs)

THE PAST: Isley was an outstanding amateur, representing the USA at the 2017 World Championships, where he won bronze, and at the 2020 (postponed to 2021) Olympics, where he reached the Round of 16. He turned professional in early 2021 and moved on. the ranks. The 26-year-old has notable wins over tough guy Vladimir Hernandez (UD 8) and, most recently, against fellow prospect Javier Martinez (UD 10).

THE FUTURE: Isley will face Tyler Howard on November 8 in Norfolk, Virginia.

No. 10 – SHANE MOSLEY JR.

RECORD: 22-4 (12 KOs)

THE PAST: Mosley followed his legendary namesake father into boxing and despite suffering a few losses – Brandon Adams (UD 10) and Jason Quigley (MD 10) – along the way, he continued to learn and improve and is on a five-fight winning streak, which includes wins over slick veteran Gabe Rosado (MD 10), once-beaten D’Metrius Ballard (KO 7) and, most recently, faded former titleholder Daniel Jacobs (UD 10).

THE FUTURE: He recently made his target clear on social media.