In one of his most recent fights, Junto Nakatani (right) outpointed the tough Argi Cortes, who has lost three times but went the distance of 12 rounds. (Photo by Naoki Fukuda)
Ring first introduced its phase measurements in 1925. Almost a century later, it is no exaggeration to say that these independent ranks are the most respected and talked about in world boxing.
The Ring Ratings Panel is made up of twelve experts from around the world. Opinions are shared, debates are held, and the final decision on who should be voted in is decided democratically every week. It sounds simple, but it can be a difficult and time-consuming process.
I will be going through each division backwards to move up from strawweight to heavyweight. I will then look at the achievements of each rated striker and look in my shiny ball to see what might be going on.
Next up is the bantamweight division, which is currently held by the Japanese, who hold all four of the punishing bantamweight belts allocated to their top fighters.
As always, please enjoy the debate and respect other people’s opinions.
No. 1 – JUNTO AND KATANI
RECORD: 28-0 (21 KOs)
PREVIOUSLY: The heavyweight boxer went through the early stages, where he defeated former flyweight champion Masamichi (UD 4), future flyweight Seigo Yuri Akui (TKO 6) and passed the litmus test of 108-kilogram champion Milan Melindo . (TKO 6). Covid interrupted the 26-year-old’s progress and he had to wait 13 months to win the vacant WBO title against Giemel Magramo (TKO 8). He defended twice, including his American debut, first when he stopped reigning champion Angel Acosta (TKO 4) and later on the Gennadiy Golovkin-Ryota Murata undercard, where he equally impressed Ryota Yamauchi (TKO 8). He moved up to 115 pounds and defeated Francisco Rodriguez Jr. tough Mexican (UD 10) before taking the vacant WBO title with a knockout over Andrew Moloney (KO 11). He managed to defend against Argi Cortes (UD 12) before moving up to bantamweight where he watched the star of the future stop Mexico’s tough Alexandro Santiago (TKO 6) to claim the WBC title and has even knocked out mandatory challenger Vincent Astrolabio (KO 1).
FUTURE: He will face WBO No. 1 Petch CP Freshmart in Tokyo on October 14.
Number 2 – RYOSUKE NISHIDA
RECORD: 9-0 (1 KO)
PREVIOUSLY: Nishida turned professional in 2019 and in his third outing he beat former world champion Shohei Omari (UD 8). The tall 28-year-old southpaw followed that up by defeating WBC flyweight champion Daigo Higa (UD 12). A wrist injury in his next fight kept him sidelined for a long time. After recovering, he continued to climb the ranks defeating Christian Medina (UD 12) of Mexico in the IBF championship and then defeating Emmanuel Rodriguez (UD 12) to become the holder of the IBF title.
FUTURE: His team is working on their first defense against Anuchai Donsua in Osaka on December 15. After that, they aim to be united in 2025.
No. 3 – TAKUMA INOUE
RECORD: 20-1 (5 KOs)
PREVIOUSLY: Although talented in his own right, he lives in the shadow of his older brother Naoya. 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 unbeaten WBC title against Nordine Oubaali (UD 12). The 28-year-old beat Keita Kurihara (TD 9) to take the OPBF 118-pound belt. He then moved up to 122 kilos and defeated former world champion Shingo Wake (UD 12) and added a national title defeating veteran Gukuya Furuhashi (UD 12). Last week he defeated Liborio Solis (UD 12) to take the vacant WBA title. Since then he has defended twice, including a career-best stoppage over junior bantamweight Jerwin Ancajas (KO 9).
FUTURE: Inoue will meet fellow countryman Seiya Tsutsumi in Tokyo on October 13.
Takuma Inoue (right) takes it to Sho Ishida. Photo by Naoki Fukuda
Number 4 – YOSHIKI TAKEI
RECORD: 9-0 (8 KOs)
PREVIOUSLY: Takei had a very successful K1 career before entering boxing in 2021. In just his fifth outing he won the OPBF junior featherweight title and made a defense before moving up to bantamweight where he had two fights, then a shot at Jason Moloney’s WBO title. . The 28-year-old southpaw quickly charged forward and held off the red-hot Australian to take the title with a unanimous 12-round decision.
FUTURE: He will make his first title defense against puncher Daigo Higa in a Japanese slugfest on the Inoue-Doheny undercard on September 3.
No. 5 – EMMANUEL RODRIGUEZ
RECORD: 22-3 (13 KOs)
PREVIOUSLY: The former Olympic Youth champion won the vacant IBF title by beating Paul Butler (UD 12). In his only defense, the Puerto Rican boxer defeated Jason Moloney (SD 12) in the WBSS before suffering a shock loss to Naoya Inoue (KO 2) in the semifinals. Rodriguez, 32, has been unlucky for a long time. After being sidelined for 18 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he was robbed against Reymart Gaballo (SD 12). In his next start he faced Gary Antonio Russell, but a head collision within 20 seconds stopped that fight before it started. He bounced back to victory in Mexico before defeating Russell (TD 10) in a rematch and finally reclaiming his old IBF title by shutting out Melvin Lopez (UD 12). However, he dropped the title in his maiden defense to Ryosuke Nishida (UD 12) in an impressive fight.
FUTURE: Despite losing the title, he is well known in Japan after losing to Naoya Inoue and, more recently, Nishida, so a fight with one of the title holders could be something to aim for.
No. 6 – JASON MOLONEY
RECORD: 27-3 (19 KOs)
PREVIOUSLY: Moloney rose comfortably in the rankings and stopped the reigning champion Kohei Kono (TKO 6) in 2018. The 33-year-old then participated in the WBSS, and although he lost to the prestigious IBF list Emmanuel Rodriguez (SD 12), an Australian boxer. you showed more than enough to suggest that you belong. He also got a shot at Ring champion and IBF/WBA champion Naoya Inoue. It proved to be a bridge too far, and he was stopped in seven rounds. He won three fights before getting the WBC title against Nawaphon Sor Rungvisai (UD 12). When undisputed champion Inoue moved up in weight, the headlines opened up and Moloney appointed Vincent Astrolabio (MD 12) to fill the WBO vacancy. He defended his belt against Saul Sanchez (MD 12) in a great fight before losing in Japan to Takei (UD 12).
FUTURE: He said he would like to face Takuma Inoue, and maybe that will happen in the fall. If not, he may look to have little fight to get back into the mix.
No. 7 – ALEXANDRO SANTIAGO
RECORD: 28-4-5 (14 KOs)
PREVIOUSLY: Santiago overcame a few early hurdles to establish himself as a solid professional. The 28-year-old Mexican is a 10-year veteran. In his first attempt at a world title he gave Jerwin Ancajas (D 12) who was running in the IBF at the time (D 12) everything he could handle. Santiago lost a close fight to Gary Antonio Russell (SD 10) in late 2021 and has rebounded three times to earn a shot at the vacant WBC title against the legendary Nonito Donaire. He showed good chin early on to take it late and claim a unanimous decision to lift the title. He lost the title in his first defense when he was stopped for the first time in his career by Nakatani (TKO 6).
FUTURE: He is still licking his wounds from losing the title, but he will look to plot his return soon.
No. 8 – DAVID CUELLAR
RECORD: 27-0 (17 KOs)
PREVIOUSLY: Cuellar started boxing at the age of 5 and enjoyed a successful novice career before turning professional in 2017. Since then he has only fought in Mexico. The 21-year-old has defeated unbeaten Karim Arce (KO 9) and world title holder Moises Fuentes (KO 6), who 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 received in Mexican circles. He holds a win over Luis Concepcion (TKO 8).
FUTURE: To build his CV and gain experience in Mexico before heading out into the world.
Alexandro Santiago (right) beats Nonito Donaire in a WBC bantamweight title fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
No. 9 – SEIYA TSUTSUMI
RECORD: 11-0-2 (8 KOs)
PREVIOUSLY: He won his first fights before drawing with Kazuki Nakajima (D 8) and undefeated Daigo Higa (D 10). In his next fight he won the Japanese title against Kyosuke Sawada (TKO 8). He strengthened his position with four defenses. The last one was very difficult, and although he defeated Kazuki Anaguchi (UD 10), his opponent later lost his life due to injuries sustained in that fight. After some time away, Tsutsumi came back with a undefeated win.
FUTURE: He will get his first world title shot against Takuma Inoue on October 13.
No. 10 – DAIGO HIGA
RECORD: 21-2-1 (19 KOs)
PREVIOUSLY: The Japanese fighter entered the arena beating his first 12 opponents, all inside the distance, to claim the WBC regional and OPBF flyweight titles. At the age of 21, he fought Juan Hernandez for the WBC title and knocked him out in six rounds. He made two saves and looked poised for a long reign. However, a quick turnaround and weight problems ended with him getting upset at the hands of Christopher Rosales (TKO 9). He did not fight for 22 months and returned to bantamweight. In his second fight back he drew Tsutsumi and then dropped a poor decision to Nishida (UD 12). He took more time off, and is back with four wins.
FUTURE: He will challenge WBO champion Takei in what looks to be an exciting match.
On the Cusp: Vincent Astrolabio, Paul Butler, Tenshin Nasukawa, Saul Sanchez and Antonio Vargas.
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Ring Ratings Updated 2024: Flyweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Ratings Updated 2024: Junior bantamweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected].
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