Gennady Golovkin (right) of Kazakhstan fights Ryota Murata of Japan during their WBA IBF middleweight championship boxing bout at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on April 9, 2022. (Photo by Philip FONG/AFP ) (Photo by PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty Images)
The Ring first introduced its divisional rankings in 1925. Nearly a century later, it is no exaggeration to say that these independent rankings are the most respected and accurate in world boxing.
The ratings panel is made up of a dozen experts from around the world. Opinions are shared, debated and the final decision on who should qualify where is decided democratically each week. It sounds easy, but this can be a time-consuming and arduous process.
A couple of years ago, during the pandemic, we reviewed and broke down each division in its entirety. In a two-pronged approach, we looked at the respective achievements of the world’s greatest fighters and looked at what was to come.
Now, with enough time having elapsed and with a busy final quarter through 2022 ahead of us, we have decided to compile another divisional breakdown.
Next up is middleweight. As always, enjoy the discussion and respect the opinions of others.
No. 1 GENNADIY GOLOVKIN
RECORD: 42-1-1 (37 KOs)
THE PAST: Golovkin was a gold medalist at the 2003 World Championships and a silver medalist at the 2004 Olympics. The powerhouse from Kazakhstan unified the IBF, WBA and WBC middleweight titles, defeating Matthew Macklin ( KO 3), Daniel Geale (TKO 3), Martin Murray (TKO 11, David Lemieux (TKO 8), Kell Brook (TKO 5), and Daniel Jacobs (UD 12) on the road. The only two failures on his record came courtesy of Canelo Alvarez (D 12 and L MD 12), however, most believe that GGG won the first fight and deserved nothing less than a draw in the rematch. Golovkin then recovered to claim the vacant IBF title by beating by points to Sergiy Derevyanchenko (UD 12) and the WBA title against Ryota Murata (TKO 9).
THE FUTURE: He faces bitter rival Canelo Alvarez on Saturday.
No. 2 JERMALL CHARLO
RECORD: 32-0 (22 KOs)
THE PAST: Charlo is a two-weight world champion. When motivated, this aggressive boxer-puncher has been very impressive, beating Cornelius Bundrage (TKO 3), Julian Williams (TKO 5), Hugo Centeno (KO 2) and Sergiy Derevyanchenko (UD 12). However, Charlo has also gone through the motions in fights against Matt Korobov (UD 12), Brandon Adams (UD 12) and Juan Macias Montiel (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: He was due to face Maciej Sulecki in June, but a back injury forced him out of that fight. There has been no word on when or if that fight will be rescheduled.
Andrade times Luke Keeler. Photo by Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
N° 3 DEMETRIO ANDRADE
RECORD: 31-0 (19 KOs)
THE PAST: Andrade was a gold medalist at the 2007 world championships and has become a two-weight world champion as a professional. However, the cerebral southpaw is too dangerous for his own good and he has struggled to secure a definitive fight. Andrade, 34, has wins over Vanes Martirosyan (SD 12), Willie Nelson (TKO 12), Maciej Sulecki (UD 12) and Liam Williams (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: He vacated his WBO title and will likely target the super middleweight division. He was due to face Zach Parker on May 21 before a shoulder injury curtailed those plans.
No. 4 JAIME MUNGUIA
RECORD: 40-0 (32 KOs)
THE PAST: The Mexican power puncher came from nowhere to defeat Sadam Ali (TKO 4) and lift the WBO junior middleweight title. He made five defenses, most notably beating 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 25-year-old had talks to face WBC champion Jermall Charlo that ended in a frustrating stalemate.
THE FUTURE: Apparently in talks to face John Ryder at super middleweight on Oct. 29 at Pechanga Arena, San Diego.
No. 5 ZHANIBEK ALIMKHANULY
RECORD: 12-0 (8 KOs)
THE PAST: Alimkhanuly won gold at the 2013 World Championships before representing Kazakhstan at the 2016 Olympics, where they lost in the quarterfinals. As a pro, he moved quickly and scored impressive victories over Rob Brant (RTD 8) and Hassan N’dam (TKO 8). Earlier this year, he disarmed Danny Dignum (KO 2) to win the vacant interim WBO title. When Demetrius Andrade did not return to middleweight, Alimkhanuly was promoted to full champion.
THE FUTURE: The 29-year-old southpaw has the potential to take over the division. He is likely to make his first defense on a Top Rank card this fall.
Eubank Jr. earned a victory over Matt Korobov, who was injured. Photo by Stephanie Trapp/ SHOWTIME
No. 6 CHRIS EUBANK JR.
RECORD: 32-2 (23 KOs)
THE PAST: Learned on the job as a pro before narrowly dropping a decision to the much more experienced Billy Joe Saunders (UD 12). He moved up to 168 pounds and outclassed Arthur Abraham (UD 12) and Avni Yildirim (KO 3) before dropping a decision to George Groves (UD 12) in the World Boxing Super Series tournament. He bounced back with a win over James DeGale (UD 12) and has since dropped back to 160 pounds. Most recently, he dropped Liam Williams four times en route to a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision.
THE FUTURE: He will face Conor Benn in an all-British catchweight grudge match on October 8.
No.7 RYOTA MURATA
RECORD: 16-3 (13 KOs)
THE PAST: The Japanese star won silver at the 2011 World Championships and gold at the 2012 Olympics before turning pro. A superstar in Japan, Murata is physically strong and a great striker, but he can be outmatched, as his losses to Hassan N’dam (SD 12) and Rob Brant (UD 12) show. To his immense credit, Murata stopped both men in direct rematches. Covid restrictions kept him on the sidelines for almost two and a half years. He came back for a great unification matchup against Golovkin and, despite putting in a strong performance, was stopped in nine rounds.
THE FUTURE: The loss of GGG was damaging. Murata, 36, probably doesn’t have many fights left, but he hasn’t retired. He is likely to make another title run and could get the ball rolling at the big New Year’s Eve show in Japan.
No. 8 CARLOS ADAMES
RECORD: 21-2 (16 KOs)
THE PAST: The powerful fighter from the Dominican Republic first got noticed at junior middleweight, where he beat Frank Galarza (TKO 4) and Patrick Day (UD 10). Adames was upset with Patrick Teixeira (UD 12) when he tried to win the vacant interim WBO title. After returning to action, he won two fights before earning the best win of his career over Sergiy Derevyanchenko (UD 10).
THE FUTURE: He faces Juan Macias Montiel on Showtime on October 8.
Sergiy Derevyanchenko hits Joshua Conley. Photo by Amanda Westcott/ SHOWTIME
No. 9 Sergiy Derevyanchenko
RECORD: 14-4 (10 KOs)
THE PAST: Highly decorated amateur who has moved quickly since turning pro in 2014. The tough-as-teak Ukrainian has wins over Sam Soliman (TKO 2), Tureano Johnson (TKO 12) and Jack Culcay (UD 12). However, Derevyanchenko is 0-3 in world title fights, losing by narrow decisions to Daniel Jacobs (SD 12) and Golovkin (UD 12) before being dominated by Jermall Charlo (UD 12). He was outclassed by Adames (MD 10) but came back to win against Joshua Conley (UD 10).
THE FUTURE: Back in the win column and ready for a big fight. It will probably return in the first quarter of 2023.
No. 10 ERISLANDY LARA
RECORD: 29-3-3 (17 KO)
THE PAST: The prominent Cuban fan would have been one of the favorites to win Olympic gold in 2008, but he defected. He became the cornerstone of the junior middleweight division, defeating Austin Trout (UD 12), Vanes Martirosyan (UD 12) and Terrell Gausha (UD 12). He has never been convincingly defeated. Lara gave Paul Williams (L SD 12), Canelo Alvarez (L SD 12) and Jarrett Hurd (L SD 12) all they could handle in narrow points losses. The 39-year-old southpaw moved up to middleweight last year and has won two fights.
THE FUTURE: He’ll keep an eye on Canelo-Golovkin 3. If Golovkin decides not to return at 160, Lara, the WBA’s regular titleholder, would likely move up to full champion. If that were to happen, then a unification fight with Jermall Charlo would be intriguing.
