The Ring Ratings Review 2024: Welterweight

September 12, 2024

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Jaron Ennis (left) lands a long jab on Karen Chukhadzhian – Photo by Amanda Wescott

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. I will then look at each ranked fighter’s respective achievements and look into my crystal ball to see what lies ahead.

Next up is welterweight (147 pounds), which is at its weakest in years and appears bereft of the usual cadre of elite talent aside from Jaron Ennis. Maybe some of the stars at junior welterweight can go to welterweight soon and bring back the good glory days. As always, please enjoy the debate and respect other people’s opinions.

No. 1 – JARON ENNIS

RECORD: 32-0 (29 KOs)

THE PAST: The brilliant American switcheroo might just be the next big star in boxing. He learned to box at a very young age, in Philadelphia, with his father and brothers. “Boots” has an elite blend of power and speed that has been a nightmare for anyone he has faced thus far. The manner in which the 27-year-old former junior welterweight titleholder brutally dispatched Sergey Lipinets (KO 6), Thomas Dulorme (KO 1), Custio Clayton (KO 2) and Roiman Villa (KO 10) suggests he may be special . After a year off, he returned for his Matchroom debut which was a homecoming against David Avanesyan (RTD 5).

THE FUTURE: Ennis was in talks to take WBO title shot Brian Norman Jr. facing unification, but it ultimately did not happen. So, he faces a mandatory against Karen Chukhadzhian which is a rematch of a fight that Ennis won by 12 rounds excluded. To make matters worse, his promoter, Matchroom, lost the purse bid and he is faced with the proposition of going overseas. It is more likely that Ennis will vacate and perhaps join the junior welterweight party.

Shark @OfficialBNormanare you up for the challenge? @JaronEnnis

@EddieHearn pic.twitter.com/THtCYZw3uo

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) August 23, 2024

Well 2 – EIMANT WRITING NEEDS

RECORD: 15-0 (9 KOs)

THE PAST: He turned professional after an excellent amateur career ended at the 2016 Olympics. The 30-year-old Litauer moved to America, and his aggressive style allowed him to quickly adapt to the professional ranks. He owns wins over Justin DeLoach (KO 9), Thomas Dulorme (UD 12) and defeated previously undefeated Radzhab Butaev by hard-fought 12-round split decision to win the WBA title. Snakebite fight with Ortiz did not happen, and it left him on the sidelines for an extended period. He returned earlier this year to defend his title against Gabriel Maestre (UD 12).

THE FUTURE: Will likely return in fall or early 2024, depending on the PBC schedule.

No. 3 – MARIO BARRIOS

RECORD: 29-2 (18 KOs)

THE PAST: Barrios turned professional more than a decade ago as a teenager as a junior featherweight. Since then, the tall San Antonio native has filled in and claimed world titles at 140 and 147. He won the vacant WBA 140-pound title against Batyr Akhmedov (UD 12), but lost it in his second defense against Gervonta Davis (TKO 11). . The 29-year-old jumped to welterweight and was beaten by Keith Thurman (UD 12), but has since won three times. He claimed the WBC title by upsetting Yordenis Ugas (UD 12) and has since successfully defended against Fabian Maidana (UD 12).

THE FUTURE: Wait to see what the PBC fall schedule looks like.

No. 4 – DAVID AVANESYAN

RECORD: 35-5-1 (18 KOs)

THE PAST: The aggressive Russian let his legs fight at home. He beat a shell of former boxing superstar Shane Mosley (UD 12), then pushed Lamont Peterson closer and narrowly lost a 12-round decision. He was stopped by Egidijus Kavaliauskas (TKO 6) but bounced back to win six fights, including a road victory over Kerman Lejarraga (TKO 9) to win the European title. Also took the undefeated record of talented Josh Kelly (TKO 6). The 36-year-old has lost back-to-back world title challenges to Terence Crawford (KO 6) and, most recently, Jaron Ennis (RTD 5).

THE FUTURE: He would like to take on one of the British welterweights, and has identified Lewis Crocker as someone he would like to take on.

David Avanesyan (left) Photo courtesy of Queensberry Promotions

No. 5 – BRIAN NORMAN JR.

RECORD: 26-0 (20 KOs)

THE PAST: Norman made his professional debut at 17 and fought regularly in Mexico, where he served his apprenticeship. He emerged after signing with Top Rank, but initially seemed more suspect than prospect. To his credit, he dominated Quinton Randall (UD 10) and then beat Giovanni Santillan (KO 10) in front of Santillan’s San Diego fans to win the WBO interim title which has since been upgraded to full championship status.

THE FUTURE: Norman, who has been in talks to face Ennis, will instead face Derrieck Cuevas (27-1-1) on Nov. 8 in Norfolk, Virginia.

Official WBO Welterweight Champion @OfficialBNorman @WorldBoxingOrg pic.twitter.com/4BA9sTlEgz

— Jolene Mizzone (@Jmizzone) August 12, 2024

No. 6 – YOUNG SANTILLAN

RECORD: 32-1 (17 KOs)

THE PAST: Santillan has been a professional since 2012. His career has been somewhat of a slow burn, taking him until 2020 when he outpointed former lightweight titleholder Antonio DeMarco (MD 10) in The Bubble at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas have. Several fights later, he upset Alexis Rocha (KO 6) in a career best performance. However, just when we started to believe in his comeback, he was well beaten in a homecoming against Norman (KO 10).

THE FUTURE: He will have to rebuild after being crushed by Norman in May.

No. 7 – SHAKHRAM GIYASOV

RECORD: 16-0 (9 KOs)

THE PAST: Giyasov was an outstanding amateur who claimed silver at the 2016 Olympics before taking gold at the 2017 World Championships. After turning pro in early 2018, the impressive Uzbek moved through the ranks, initially at 140 pounds before settling at 147 pounds. The 31-year-old has wins over Christian Gomez (UD 10), Harold Calderon (UD 12) faded former title challenger Pablo Cesar Cano (TD 11) and last struggled against Miguel Parra (SD 10).

THE FUTURE: The Uzbek is ranked number 1 by the WBA and WBO, and will pose a danger to Stanionis (whom he beat as an amateur) or Norman.

No. 8 – ALEXIS ROCHA

RECORD: 25-2 (16 KOs)

THE PAST: A solid amateur, Rocha hit the ground running as a professional, reeling off 16 straight wins before losing his unbeaten streak to Rashidi Ellis (UD 12) in October 2020. To his credit, the 27-year-old southpaw bounced back strongly with seven wins, notably Blair Cobbs (KO 9), George Ashie (KO 7) and Anthony Young (KO 5) to become the WBO mandatory challenger. However, he lost to Giovani Santillan (KO 6) but bounced back with wins over Frederick Lawson (RTD 7) and previously undefeated Santiago Dominguez (UD 10).

THE FUTURE: He will hope to find his way to Golden Boy’s big “Latinos Night in Riyadh Season” show on November 16.

Raul Curiel (right) carried veteran Courtney Pennington. Photo / Golden Boy Promotions

No. 9 – JIN SASAKI

RECORD: 17-1 (16 KOs)

THE PAST: Sasaki made his professional debut at 17 as a lightweight. He matured into a junior welterweight and won his first 11 before coming in overweight against the more experienced Andy Hiraoka, stopping him in 11 rounds as the pair contested the vacant Japanese title. The 23-year-old power puncher moved up to welterweight and claimed the OPBF title, owning wins over Ryota Toyoshima (TKO 1), former world title challenger Keita Obara (TKO 3), Joe Noynoy (TKO 5) and, most recently, Qamil Balla (TKO 7).

THE FUTURE: Perhaps he returns on the undercard of stablemate Naoya Inoue’s December 24 show.

I won!
7th round KO win
Many thanks to everyone who supported us from the venue and from the lemino live broadcast
The power of your support has been tremendous!
I am relieved to be able to report my victory.
I still want to do my best and aim to be the best… pic.twitter.com/4TmKKNaTRx

— Sasaki Jin JIN SASAKI (@JinSasaki0728) September 3, 2024

No. 10 – RAUL CURIEL

RECORD: 15-0 (13KOs)

THE PAST: Curiel was a talented amateur who fought internationally. He boxed in the World Series of Boxing and also represented Mexico at the 2016 Olympics. He turned professional in May 2017 on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. the distance and looks ready to make the move.

THE FUTURE: He will be hoping that his promoter Golden Boy can put him on one of their shows before the end of the year.

On the Cusp: Karen Chukhadzhian, Souleymane Cissokho, Lewis Crocker, Paddy Donovan and Egidijus Kavaliauskus

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