In one of his most recent fights, Junto Nakatani (right) outpointed the tough Argi Cortes, who suffered three knockdowns but lasted the distance for 12 rounds. (Photo by Naoki Fukuda)
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, debates take place and the final decision on who should be rated 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 at what may lie ahead.
Next up is bantamweight, which is currently run by the Japanese, who hold all four sanctioning body belts among their best fighters.
As always, please enjoy the debate and respect other people’s opinions.
No. 1 – JUNTO NAKATANI
RECORD: 28-0 (21 KOs)
THE PAST: The heavy-handed boxer-puncher ran through his early opposition, defeating future junior flyweight titleholder Masamichi Yabuki (UD 4), future flyweight titleholder Seigo Yuri Akui (TKO 6) and the litmus test of former 108-lb. -title holder Milan Melindo passed. (TKO 6). Covid halted the tall 26-year-old’s progress and he had to wait 13 months to win the vacant WBO title against Giemel Magramo (TKO 8). He made two defenses, including his American debut, the first when he stopped former titleholder Angel Acosta (TKO 4) and later on the undercard of Gennadiy Golovkin-Ryota Murata, where he was just as impressive against Ryota Yamauchi (TKO 8). Moved up to 115 pounds and defeated tough Mexican Francisco Rodriguez Jr. (UD 10) before capturing the vacant WBO title with a highlight reel knockout over Andrew Moloney (KO 11). He made one successful defense against Argi Cortes (UD 12) before moving to bantamweight, where he looked like the future star stopping tough Mexican Alexandro Santiago (TKO 6) from annexing the WBC title and has since held the mandatory challenger Vincent Astrolabio (KO 1) drilled. .
THE FUTURE: On October 14, he will face WBO no. 1 Petch CP Freshmart in Tokyo.
No. 2 – RYOSUKE NISHIDA
RECORD: 9-0 (1 KO)
THE PAST: Nishida turned professional in 2019 and in just his third outing he beat former world title challenger Shohei Omari (UD 8). The tall 28-year-old southpaw followed that up by dominating former WBC flyweight titlist Daigo Higa (UD 12). A wrist injury in his next fight saw him spend a long period on the sidelines. After a full recovery, he continued his rise to the top, beating Mexico’s Christian Medina (UD 12) in an IBF eliminator and then defeating Emmanuel Rodriguez (UD 12) to become IBF title holder.
THE FUTURE: His team is working on his first defense against Anuchai Donsua in Osaka on December 15. After that, they target associations in 2025.
No. 3 – TAKUMA INOUE
RECORD: 20-1 (5 KOs)
THE PAST: Although talented in his own right, he lives in his older brother Naoya’s shadow. He won the OPBF 115-pound title in just his fifth fight, making two defenses before moving up to bantamweight. He continued to gain experience before losing his undefeated record in a WBC title fight to Nordine Oubaali (UD 12). The 28-year-old beat Keita Kurihara (TD 9) to pick up the OPBF 118-pound belt. He then moved up to 122 pounds and beat experienced former world title challenger Shingo Wake (UD 12) and added the national title beating veteran Gukuya Furuhashi (UD 12). Last time he outpointed Liborio Solis (UD 12) to annex the vacant WBA title. He has made two defenses since then, including a career best when he stopped former junior bantamweight titleholder Jerwin Ancajas (KO 9).
THE FUTURE: Inoue will meet compatriot Seiya Tsutsumi on October 13 in Tokyo.
Takuma Inoue (right) takes it to Sho Ishida. Photo by Naoki Fukuda
No. 4 – YOSHIKI TAKEI
RECORD: 9-0 (8 KOs)
THE PAST: Takei had a very successful K1 career before boxing in 2021. In just his fifth outing, he won the OPBF junior featherweight title and made one defense before dropping down to bantamweight where he had two bouts, then landing a shot at Jason Moloney’s WBO title. . The 28-year-old southpaw raced out to an early lead and held off the spirited Australian late on to claim the title by 12-round unanimous decision.
THE FUTURE: He will make his first title defense on September 3 against fellow puncher Daigo Higa in an all-Japan slugfest on the undercard of Inoue-Doheny.
no 5 – EMMANUEL RODRIGUEZ
RECORD: 22-3 (13 KOs)
THE PAST: The former Olympic Youth Champion claimed the vacant IBF title with a masterclass performance to shut out Paul Butler (UD 12). In his lone defense, Puerto Rican boxer-puncher Jason Moloney (SD 12) edged in the WBSS before surprisingly losing to Naoya Inoue (KO 2) in the semi-finals. Rodriguez, 32, was plagued by misfortune for a long time. After spending 18 months on the sidelines due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he was robbed opposite Reymart Gaballo (SD 12). In his very next outing he met Gary Antonio Russell, but a head clash within 20 seconds cut that fight short before it started. He won again in Mexico before beating Russell (TD 10) in a rematch and eventually reclaiming his old IBF title by knocking out Melvin Lopez (UD 12). However, he dropped the title in his first defense against Ryosuke Nishida (UD 12) in an excellent fight.
THE FUTURE: Despite the title loss, he is well known in Japan after losing to Naoya Inoue and, more recently, Nishida, so a fight with one of the other title holders could be something to aim for.
No. 6 – JASON MOLONEY
RECORD: 27-3 (19 KOs)
THE PAST: Moloney climbed the rankings comfortably, stopping former titleholder Kohei Kono (TKO 6) in 2018. The 33-year-old then competed in the WBSS, and although he lost to IBF titlist Emmanuel Rodriguez (SD 12), the Australian boxer-puncher showed more than enough to suggest he belongs. He bounced back and got a shot at Ring champion and IBF/WBA titleholder Naoya Inoue. It was a bridge too far, and he was stopped in seven rounds. He won three fights before landing a WBC knockout against Nawaphon Sor Rungvisai (UD 12). When undisputed champion Inoue moved up in weight, the titles became vacant and Moloney defeated Vincent Astrolabio (MD 12) to fill the WBO vacancy. He defended his belt and beat Saul Sanchez (MD 12) in a thrilling fight before losing it to Takei (UD 12) in Japan.
THE FUTURE: Said he wants to face Takuma Inoue, and maybe that will happen in the fall. Otherwise, it looks like he’ll have a smaller fight to get back into the mix.
No. 7 – ALEXANDRO SANTIAGO
RECORD: 28-4-5 (14 KOs)
THE PAST: Santiago overcame some early setbacks to establish himself as a solid professional. The 28-year-old Mexican is already a 10-year veteran. In his first world title attempt, he gave then-IBF 115-pound titlist Jerwin Ancajas (D 12) all he could handle. Santiago lost a close fight to Gary Antonio Russell (SD 10) at the end of 2021 and bounced back with three wins to earn a shot at the vacant WBC title against the legendary Nonito Donaire. Showed a good knack early on to come in late and claim a unanimous decision to lift the title. He lost the title in his first defense when he was stopped by Nakatani (TKO 6) for the first time in his career.
THE FUTURE: Still licking his wounds from the title loss, but will be planning his comeback soon.
No. 8 – DAVID CUELLAR
RECORD: 27-0 (17 KOs)
THE PAST: Cuellar started boxing at 5 and enjoyed a solid amateur career before turning professional in 2017. Since then, he has fought exclusively in Mexico. The 21-year-old has wins over previously unbeaten Karim Arce (KO 9) and former world titleholder Moises Fuentes (KO 6), who later tragically lost his life due to injuries sustained in the fight. “El General” is ranked in the top 15 by all four sanctioning bodies and is well regarded in Mexican circles. He has a win over faded former two-division titleholder Luis Concepcion (TKO 8).
THE FUTURE: Build his resume and gain experience in Mexico before he wants to get on the world stage.
Alexandro Santiago (right) punches Nonito Donaire during their WBC bantamweight title match at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
No. 9 – SEIYA TSUTSUMI
RECORD: 11-0-2 (8 KOs)
THE PAST: He won his first fights before a pair of draws with then undefeated Kazuki Nakajima (D 8) and Daigo Higa (D 10). In his next fight, he won the Japanese title against Kyosuke Sawada (TKO 8). He strengthened his status with four defenses. The last one was particularly difficult, and although he beat Kazuki Anaguchi (UD 10), his opponent later lost his life due to injuries sustained in that fight. After time away, Tsutsumi returned with a non-title victory.
THE FUTURE: He will get his first world title opportunity against Takuma Inoue on October 13th.
No. 10 – DAIGO HIGA
RECORD: 21-2-1 (19 KOs)
THE PAST: The Japanese fighter burst onto the scene, knocking out his first 12 opponents, all within the distance, and claimed WBC regional and OPBF flyweight titles. At 21, he clinched a fight with Juan Hernandez for the WBC title, knocking him out in six rounds. He made two saves and looked set for a long reign. However, a quick turnaround and weight problems ended with him being upset by Cristofer Rosales (TKO 9). He did not fight for 22 months and returned at bantamweight. In his second match back, he drew with Tsutsumi and then dropped a lopsided decision to Nishida (UD 12). He took more time off and has since returned with four wins.
THE FUTURE: He will challenge WBO boss Takei in what looks to be an exciting bout.
On the Cusp: Vincent Astrolabio, Paul Butler, Tenshin Nasukawa, Saul Sanchez and Antonio Vargas.
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Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at (email protected).
