Canelo Alvarez presses the action against Jermell Charlo during their super middleweight title fight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (Photo by Sarah Stier/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 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 ranked fighter’s respective achievements and look into my crystal ball to see what lies ahead.
Next up is super middleweight (168 pounds), home to boxing’s biggest star with a pretty solid supporting cast right now, even as David Benavidez and David Morrell head to light heavyweight.
As always, please enjoy the debate and respect other people’s opinions.
CHAMPION – CANELO ALVAREZ
RECORD: (62-2-2, 39 KOs)
THE PAST: Canelo boasts a cache of outstanding wins over Shane Mosley (UD 12), Austin Trout (UD 12), Erislandy Lara (SD 12), Miguel Cotto (UD 12), Gennadiy Golovkin (MD 12), Daniel Jacobs (UD 12 ), Sergey Kovalev (KO 11), Callum Smith (UD 12), Billy Joe Saunders (RTD 8) and Caleb Plant (TKO 11). The 34-year-old is a modern-day great, having captured world titles in junior middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight. The Mexican superstar was upset by Dmitri Bivol (UD 12), but bounced back with five wins over the likes of Golovkin (UD 12), claimed Mexican bragging rights against Jaime Munguia (UD 12) and, most recently, dominated Edgar Berlanga (UD 12) ) .
THE FUTURE: Will likely return in Cinco De Mayo 2025. We won’t know who his opponent will be until early next year.
#And still pic.twitter.com/jwRWRuEjXB
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) September 16, 2024
No. 1 – JAIME MUNGUIA
RECORD: 44-1 (35 KOs)
THE PAST: The power-punching Mexican came out of nowhere to knock out Sadam Ali (TKO 4) and lift the WBO junior middleweight title. He made five saves, notably defeating Liam Smith (UD 12). Munguia then moved up to middleweight and further established himself by beating the experienced trio of Gary O’Sullivan (TKO 11), Kamil Szeremeta (RTD 6) and Gabriel Rosado (UD 12). The 27-year-old had talks to face WBC titlist Jermall Charlo which ended in a frustrating stalemate. Weight problems made him move up and move past Sergiy Derevyanchenko (UD 12) in a classic. He stopped John Ryder (TKO 9) and then lost his undefeated record to Ring champion Canelo Alvarez (UD 12), but recently bounced back by taking the scalp of Erik Bazinyan (KO 10).
THE FUTURE: Tabbed to face Ronald Gavril on Dec. 14 in Tijuana.
No. 2 – CHRISTIAN MBILLI
RECORD: 28-0 (23 KOs)
THE PAST: Mbilli represented France at the 2016 Olympics and lost to eventual gold medalist Arlen Lopez at the quarter-final stage. He then moved to Canada, where he is now a citizen, and after taking the usual steps, worked his way up the ranks. The 29-year-old all-action fighter scored a striking knockout over former title challenger Nadjib Mohammedi (KO 5), who was locked in an exciting war with Carlos Gongora (UD 10) stopped Rohan Murdock (RTD 6). and, most recently, defeating battle-hardened former three-time world titleholder Sergiy Derevyanchenko (UD 10).
THE FUTURE: Recovering from an injury to his left shoulder before likely returning in the first quarter of 2025.
Christian Mbili (left) beats Nadjib Mohammedi – Photo by Vincent Ethier
No. 3 – OSLEYS IGLESIAS
RECORD: 12-0 (11 KOs)
THE PAST: Iglesias was a talented amateur in his native Cuba before turning professional in Germany in 2019. In just his sixth fight, he dominated faded two-time world title challenger Isaac Chilemba (UD 12). The 26-year-old southpaw moved on by stopping Ezequiel Maderna (KO 1), Andrii Velikovskyi (TKO 10) and Artur Reis (KO 4) before scoring first-round knockouts of respected contenders such as Marcelo Coceres and Evgeny Shvendenko after getting started. fighting in Canada. His final opponent was Sena Agbeko, who made it through the opening round but was quickly defeated in the second.
THE FUTURE: The Cuban will face the undefeated Petro Ivanov on November 7 in Montreal.
We call it the Tornado
The K.-O. in the 1st round of Osleys Iglesias vs. Evgeny Shvedenko still gives us chills…
—
We call him the Tornado
— Eye of the Tiger (@eottm_boxing) June 7, 2024
No. 4 – DIEGO PACHECO
RECORD: 22-0 (18 KOs)
THE PAST: A standout young amateur who turned professional at just 17 years old, Pacheco has since moved through the ranks on major undercards (Andy Ruiz-Anthony Joshua 2 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Canelo-Gennadiy Golovkin 3 in Las Vegas ) gradually increased in level. The tall 23-year-old has beaten experienced former title challenger Marcelo Coceres (KO 9), awkward Shawn McCalman (UD 10) and, most recently, another former title challenger Maciej Sulecki (KO 6).
THE FUTURE: Probably down until the first quarter of 2025.
No. 5 – CALEB PLANT
RECORD: 23-2 (14 KOs)
THE PAST: Plant was a solid amateur, and was an alternate for the 2012 US Olympic team. As a professional, he quietly went about his business until his big moment came against IBF titleholder Jose Uzcategui (UD 12). “Sweethands” made three defenses, easily beat Mike Lee (TKO 3), thrilled his hometown fans by putting on a clinic against Vincent Feigenbutz (TKO 10) and a shutout over former titleholder Caleb Truax (UD 12 ) achieved. He lost his title when he faced Canelo Alvarez (TKO 11) when they met to decide the undisputed champion. The 32-year-old returned to action and a highlight-reel knockout of Anthony Dirrell (KO 9) and despite a good start was turned back by David Benavidez to lose a 12-round unanimous decision. This was followed by 18 months on the sidelines, he returned to overcome a valiant effort to stop Trevor McCumby (TKO 9).
THE FUTURE: He will be hoping he can stay active to build some momentum as he chases a world title shot next year.
No. 6 – VLADIMIR SHISHKIN
RECORD: 16-0 (10 KOs)
THE PAST: The Russian turned professional in 2016. Since then, he has managed to show his class by stopping Nadjib Mohammedi (TKO 10), DeAndre Ware (TKO 8) and undefeated Ulises Sierra (UD 10). The 33-year-old also dominated Sena Agbeko (UD 10) on ShoBox and outpointed former IBF titlist Jose Uzcategui (UD 12). Since then, he spent time treading water while beating up some companions.
THE FUTURE: He will head to Germany to fight William Scull for the vacant IBF title on October 19.
William Scull vs Vladimir Shishkin | IBF World Title
October 19
Falkensee, Germany#AGONSports #WilliamScull #ScullShishkin pic.twitter.com/wIzqgOjCuG
— AGON Sports & Events (@agon_boxing) September 18, 2024
No. 7 – EDGAR BERLANGA
RECORD: 22-1 (17 KOs)
THE PAST: Berlanga turned professional in April 2016 and has become something of a sensation with 16 consecutive first round knockouts. Hopes waned when the Nuyorican was taken the distance for the next five fights, albeit at a higher level. He had to get off the canvas to point out Marcelo Coceres (UD 10) and was suspended for 6 months after biting Roamer Alexis Angulo (UD 10). Despite some struggles, Berlanga remained undefeated and earned a shot at Ring champion and WBA/WBC/WBO titlist Canelo Alvarez. It was too big a mountain to climb, and he was dropped en route to losing a lopsided decision.
THE FUTURE: He will enjoy some time off after a better-than-expected performance against Canelo, then look to bounce back next year.
Edgar Berlanga (left) lands a right hand on Steve Rolls (right) at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on March 19, 2022 – Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images
As. 8 – Eric Bazinyan
RECORD: 32-1-1 (23 KOs)
THE PAST: Bazinyan was an accomplished amateur in Armenia before immigrating to Canada and turning professional at 18. He learned his trade away from the pressure that often follows highly touted prospects. It’s been a slow burn, but he seems to have matured into a well-rounded professional. The 29-year-old scored a career-best win over former title challenger Marcelo Coceres (UD 10), edged out stylistic challenger Alantez Fox (MD 10) and defeated tough Mexican Juan De Jesus Macias (UD 10). Then he really showed why he belongs with an impressive knockout of Ronald Ellis (KO 6). However, he labored against Shakeel Phinn (D 10) and then took a swing at the elite and was stopped by Jaime Munguia (KO 10) despite a good start.
THE FUTURE: Make a solid effort against Munguia. and will be back in Canada next year.
no 9 – LESTER MARTINEZ
RECORD: 18-0 (15 KOs)
THE PAST: Martinez was a decorated amateur who represented Guatemala on the world stage. He turned professional in 2019 with a second-round stoppage over fading former two-weight titleholder Ricardo Mayorga in 2019. Since then, the 28-year-old has stayed busy beating the likes of teak-tough Rodolfo Gomez Jr. (UD 10), to beat Isaiah. Steen (TKO 8) and, most recently, Carlos Gongora (UD 10).
THE FUTURE: He will face Joeshon James on November 9th.
No. 10 – BEKTEMIR MELIKUZIEV
RECORD: 14-1 (10 KOs)
THE PAST: Melikuziev was an outstanding amateur, winning silver at the 2016 Olympics and bronze at the 2017 World Championships for his country Uzbekistan before turning professional in June 2019. Since then he has moved to Indio, California where he works with Joel Diaz and several others. high profile Uzbek train too. “Bek the Bully” attracted attention with his aggression and power that accounted for several opponents. Veteran Gabe Rosado was able to use that against him and score a brutal third-round knockout. The 28-year-old southpaw has bounced back well with seven wins, including a more measured performance against Rosado (UD 10).
THE FUTURE: Melikuziev will return later this year in a WBA eliminator.
On the Cusp: Zach Parker, Luka Plantic, Kevin Lele Sadjo, William Scull and Pavel Silyagin
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Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at (email protected).
