The Presbytery first introduced its divisional ratings in 1925. Almost a century later, it is no exaggeration to claim that these independent ratings are 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 graded 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. I will then look at each rated fighter’s respective achievements and look into my crystal ball to see what lies ahead.
Next up is light heavyweight (175 pounds), which wowed the boxing world with the two best fighters in the divisional meeting on Saturday.
As always, please enjoy the debate and respect other people’s opinions.
No. 1 – ARTHUR BETERBIEV
RECORD: 20-0 (20 KOs)
THE PAST: Beterbiev was an outstanding amateur, winning gold at the 2009 World Championships and competing in the 2012 Olympics. The physically imposing Russian moved quickly as a professional. He won the IBF light heavyweight title, stopping Enrico Koelling (KO 12) and defending against Callum Johnson (KO 4) and Radivoje Kalajdzic (KO 5). His breakout win came against then-WBC titleholder Oleksandr Gvozdyk (TKO 10) in a unification bout. The 39-year-old recorded time against Adam Deines (TKO 10) and Marcus Browne (KO 9) before taking on WBO counterpart Joe Smith Jr. (TKO 2) broke down, showed his toughness in a knockout over Anthony Yarde (TKO 8) and seemed sensational extinguishing dangerous Callum Smith (TKO 7).
THE FUTURE: He will face WBA reigning Dmitry Bivol for The Ring and Undisputed Championship on Saturday.
Battle ready ⚔️@ABeterbiev vs. @bivol_d for the light-heavyweight world title 👑#BeterbievBivol | #Riyadh Season | Oct 12, live on DAZN | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/z0TCWvEkIE
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 6, 2024
No. 2 – DMITRY BIVOL
RECORD: 23-0 (12 KOs)
THE PAST: Bivol was an outstanding amateur before turning professional in November 2014. The 33-year-old Kyrgyz-born technician claimed the WBA light heavyweight title in 2017 and has made 10 successful defences. He holds wins over Sullivan Barrera (TKO 12), Isaac Chilemba (UD 12), Jean Pascal (UD 12) and Joe Smith Jr. (UD 12). A career-best win over Canelo Alvarez (UD 12) is what swept Bivol in the pound-for-pound ratings. He then dismantled Gilberto Ramirez (UD 12), dominated Lyndon Arthur (UD 12) and most recently stopped Malik Zinad (TKO 6).
THE FUTURE: He will clash with Beterbiev on Saturday for all the marbles.
No. 3 – DAVID BENAVIDEZ
RECORD: 29-0 (24 KOs)
THE PAST: Benavidez is an offensive beast; physically imposing with impressive strength. He became the youngest fighter to win a super middleweight world title when he cruised past Ronald Gavril (SD 12) to win the WBC title. Beat Gavril (UD 12) much more comprehensively in a rematch. The Arizona native was then arrested for cocaine use and stripped of the title. Benavidez impressively regained the belt from Anthony Dirrell (TKO 9). However, missed weight in his first defense and lost the belt on the scale. The 27-year-old notably demolished former middleweight titleholder David Lemieux (TKO 3), beat archrival Caleb Plant (UD 12) and ran down two-division titleholder Demetrius Andrade (RTD 6) before moving up in weight when a combination of frustration waiting for Canelo to face him and weight. In his debut at 175 pounds, he beat former belt holder Oleksandr Gvozdyk (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: He looks set to return against David Morrell in January.
Demetrius Andrade’s corner has seen enough after six rounds of damage by David Benavidez (left) in November 2023. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
About. 4 – JOSHUA BOOTH
RECORD: 19-0 (13 KOs)
THE PAST: Buatsi won bronze at the 2016 Olympics before turning professional. He won the vacant British title in his 10th fight, but never defended it. The British-based fighter began training with Virgil Hunter in California and showed promise, but saw his career stagnate. The 31-year-old holds wins over undefeated Marko Calic (TKO 7), Richards Bolotniks (TKO 11), Craig Richards (UD 12) and Pawel Stepien (UD 10). However, he doubled up this year, beating fellow Brits Dan Azeez (UD 12) and Willy Hutchinson (SD 12) in some excellent battles.
THE FUTURE: He will have one eye on Saturday’s Beterbiev-Bivol fight, but could also seal a deal with long-time rival Anthony Yarde.
No. 5 – ANTHONY YARD
RECORD: 25-3 (24 KOs)
THE PAST: The powerful Londoner has steamrolled through moderate opposition to earn a shot at the WBO mandatory against Sergey Kovalev in Russia. Unfazed, he put in a solid effort and rocked Kovalev before being stopped in the 11th round. He returned to the winner’s circle before being eliminated by the slick Lydon Arthur (SD 12). However, a year later he exorcised his demons by being extremely aggressive and knocked out Arthur in the fourth round. In his second world title shot, Yarde gave a good account of himself against IBF, WBC and WBO titlist Artur Beterbiev, before wilting under heavy fire in eight rounds. Since then, the 33-year-old has won two low-key fights against modest opposition. He was lined up to oppose cross-town rivals Buatsi but left Queensberry to sign Boxxer, who may opt to revive the deal now they are both promoted.
THE FUTURE: Yarde will have his first fight under the Boxxer umbrella on October 19 against an as yet undisclosed opponent.
AY back in the ring 😤
October 19 just got a little more exciting. you know what @mranthonyyarde bring 💨
Tickets at https://t.co/yt3WMVlLFj 🎟️ #AzimDavies | 19.10.24 | @CopperBoxArena | @SkySportsBoxing | @peacock | @GoldenBoyBoxing pic.twitter.com/t1gpCVE9Nm
— BOXXER (@boxxer) October 4, 2024
No. 6 – ALBERT RAMIREZ
RECORD: 19-0 (16 KOs)
THE PAST: Ramirez represented his country Venezuela at the 2016 Rio Olympics, losing in the Round of 16 stage. His cousin, former IBF super middleweight titleholder Jose Uzcategui, opened the doors for him to turn professional in Mexico, where he won his first nine fights. The 32-year-old southpaw later moved in a different direction and impressed during a training camp in Russia alongside Beterbiev. He stunned then-undefeated Braian Suarez (KO 1), defeated Artur Ziyatdinov (UD 10) and, most recently, knocked out former world title challenger Adam Deines (TKO 7) in a homecoming fight.
THE FUTURE: Ramirez is ranked in the top 4 by all four sanctioning bodies and is within striking distance of his title shot. Although you may need to stay active in the meantime.
No. 7 – CALLUM SMITH
RECORD: 29-2 (21 KOs)
THE PAST: Smith won the British and European super middleweight titles in impressive fashion and got his big break in the WBSS. He defeated Erik Skoglund (UD 12) and late replacement Nieky Holzken (UD 12) to secure passage to the final where he stopped George Groves (KO 7) to become Ring magazine champion and WBA title holder. The Englishman struggled to capitalize on that momentum, easily defeating underdog Hassan N’dam N’Jikam (TKO 3) and working against John Ryder (UD 12) in subsequent title defenses before facing boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez ( UD 12) lost. The 34-year-old moved up to 175 pounds and won two fights before hiding against Beterbiev (TKO 7).
THE FUTURE: He has not been heard from since the Beterbiev defeat. It remains to be seen whether he has the desire to return to a successful career.
Oleksandr Gvozdyk (Black and Silver Tribes) defeats Medhi Amar (Black with Green Tribes) in their light heavyweight title fight at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on March 17, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Bill Tompkins/Getty Images)
No. 8 – OLEKSANDR GVOZDYK
RECORD: 20-2 (16 KOs)
THE PAST: The 2012 Olympic bronze medalist was part of the Ukrainian dream team along with Oleksandr Usyk and Vasiliy Lomachenko. As a professional, he impressively beat Nadjib Mohammedi (KO 2), Isaac Chilemba (RTD 8) and Yunieski Gonzalez (TKO 3) en route to dethroning WBC title holder Adonis Stevenson (KO 11). “Nail” made one defense before losing a unification bout to Beterbiev (TKO 10). He retired for more than three years before returning with three wins, but lost to Benavidez (UD 12) in June.
THE FUTURE: He hasn’t said he’s retiring, so he’s probably weighing his options for a return perhaps as early as 2025.
No. 9 – DAVID MORRELL
RECORD: 11-0 (9 KOs)
THE PAST: Won Cuban national titles at various levels before turning professional in 2019. His amateur pedigree has helped him move quickly as a professional, and he’s already beaten some established fighters, including Mike Gavronski (KO 3), Alantez Fox (TKO 4), Aidos Yerbossynuly (KO 12), Yamaguchi Falcao (KO 1) and Sena Agbeko (TKO 2) before moving to 175 pounds where he won but failed to catch the eye against Radivoje Kalajdzic (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: The word is that he will fight Benavidez in January.
No. 10 – WILLY HUTCHINSON
RECORD: 18-2 (13 KOs)
THE PAST: Hutchinson was a designated amateur who won gold at the 2014 European Junior Championships and 2016 World Youth Championships. The Scottish fighter turned professional in 2017 as a teenager. He won his first 13 against unassuming opposition and then became a banger when he stepped up and fought Lennox Clarke (TKO 5) for the vacant British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles. He moved up to light heavyweight and has five wins, including a coming-of-age victory over Craig Richards (UD 12) and fought almost to a draw, barring two knockouts, in a spirited losing effort against Buatsi (SD 12).
THE FUTURE: Take some time off before returning next year. Maybe an idea to look at the European title and use it as a platform back to world level.
On the Cusp: Michael Eifert, Radivoje Kalajdzic, Imam Khataev, Conor Wallace and Malik Zinad
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Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at (email protected).
