Adames elevated to no. 1
The previous #1, Janibek Alimkhnuly, was removed due to his positive test for a banned substance last month in a VADA test on November 15, 2025.
The Ring’s new updated list has some good and some bad. The first two spots are positive, as they make the most sense.
- Carlos Adams
- Yoenli Hernandez
- Erislandy Lara
- Conor Benn
- Troy Isley
- First part Oliha
- Aaron McKenna
- Austin Williams
- Chris Eubank Jr.
- Jesus Ramos Jr.
Adames looked like pure gold in his last fight against Hamzah Sheeraz this year on February 22nd, when he suffered a controversial 12-round draw. I had it for Adames 10-2. A rematch between them would have been the right thing for Sheeraz’s promoters at Queensberry to do as so many fans felt he had lost the fight.
28-year-old Cuban-born Yoenli Hernandez is on the rise and is considered by many to be a future world champion. What he needs are the fights that will take him to the top spot, as he has only fought one significant opponent, Kyrone Davis, during his three-year professional career. That’s what’s holding him back.
The Odd Fit: Conor Benn at no. 4
Conor Benn at #4 stands out as the albatross of this list as he has already said he is moving down to welterweight. Additionally, he only has one win at 160 against 36-year-old Chris Eubank Jr. from last November.
Benn’s victory was aided by a 10-lb rehydration clause in addition to Eubank Jr. who came from the 168-lb division. For Conor to earn a top-four spot, he had to face a true middleweight without a weight handicap. Fighting Yoenili Hernandez would be the best way for Benn to earn his ranking instead of getting it by beating a non-middleweight.
