Could the undisputed 140-pound champion be Crawford’s next? Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank 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 junior welterweight. As always, he enjoys the debate and respects the opinions of others.
CHAMPION: JOSH TAYLOR
RECORD: 19-0 (13 KOs)
THE PAST: Taylor was a decorated amateur before turning pro in 2015. He earned wins over former world champions Miguel Vazquez (KO 9) and Viktor Postol (UD 12) before entering the World Boxing Super Series. In a great run, the talented Scotsman beat previously undefeated Ryan Martin (TKO 7); he took the IBF title from Ivan Baranchyk (UD 12) and unified against WBA champion Regis Prograis (MD 12). The latest win saw the 31-year-old southpaw claim the Ring championship. “The Tartan Tornado” became the undisputed 140-pound champion by beating the WBC and WBO champion, José Ramírez (UD 12). Taylor battled Jack Catterall before receiving a highly controversial 12-round split decision.
THE FUTURE: Though he’s poised to break out at 140, he appears to be leaning toward a rematch with Catterall, which is scheduled for Nov. 26.
Good 1 PROGRESS LOG
RECORD: 27-1 (23 KOs)
THE PAST: The southpaw boxer-puncher made a name for himself with some impressive performances on ShoBox against Amos Cowart (UD 8), Abel Ramos (RTD 8) and Joel Diaz Jr. (TKO 2). He built on those wins by stopping former unified 140-pound champion Julius Indongo (TKO 2) and dominating former lightweight champion Terry Flanagan (UD 12). He won the WBA title by defeating the usually tough Kiryl Relikh (TKO 6) in the best performance of his career. Lost for the first time in an action-packed encounter with Taylor. The 33-year-old has bounced back with three wins.
THE FUTURE: Signed to face José Zepeda for the vacant WBC title later this year.
No. 2 JOSE RAMIREZ
RECORD: 27-1 (17 KO)
THE PAST: The 2012 US Olympian moved steadily up the professional ranks before reaching world level. Ramírez won the vacant WBC title against Amir Imam (UD 12) and defended his title against Antonio Orozco (UD 12) and José Zepeda (MD 12) before uniting with WBO champion Maurice Hooker (TKO 6). He then returned a tricky challenge from Viktor Postol (MD 12). The 30-year-old lost his title when he faced unified champion Josh Taylor (UD 12) for the undisputed championship. He has come back to beat former two-division champion José Pedraza (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: He pulled out of a fight with Zepeda for the vacant WBC title because he’s getting married. He will probably face the winner next year.
No. 3 JOSE ZEPEDA
RECORD: 35-2 (27 KOs)
THE PAST: The Mexican-American sharpshooter suffered a dislocated left shoulder when he fought Flanagan (RTD 2) in a fight for the vacant WBO lightweight title. After recovering, Zepeda defeated Ammeth Diaz (TKO 1), Miguel Zamudio (TKO 6) and the previously undefeated Carlos Diaz Ramirez (KO 5) to earn a shot at the WBC 140-pound title against Ramirez. He gave a strong account of himself, but dropped a close decision. He bounced back with five wins, including a hard-fought victory over former two-weight world champion José Pedraza (UD 12), a canvas shootout with former 140-pound champion Iván Baranchyk (KO 5), and a stirring stoppage over Josue Vargas (TKO 1).
THE FUTURE: He will face Prograis on a date and place to be announced.
Jack-Catterall (left) Photo by Karen Priestley
#4 JACK CATTERALL
RECORD: 26-1 (13 KOs)
THE PAST: After turning pro, he learned on the job and scored several impressive wins over Tom Stalker (TKO 8), Joe Hughes (UD 12) and won the British title against Tyrone Nurse (UD 12). However, despite remaining undefeated, his career seemed to stall. He was the WBO’s No. 1 ranked contender and finally got his big break when he met undisputed champion Josh Taylor earlier this year. Catterall fought the fight of his life, dropping Taylor before stopping the defending champions’ late charge. Most believed he had done enough, but he lost a highly contentious 12-round split decision.
THE FUTURE: Signed Boxxer in the UK to help make a rematch with Taylor possible, tentatively scheduled for November 26.
No. 5 MATIAS SUBRIEL
RECORD: 18-1 (18 KOs)
THE PAST: The heavy-handed Puerto Rican wrecking ball has stopped every opponent he’s faced. He stopped undefeated Maxim Dadashev in 11 rounds. Tragically, the Russian passed away after the fight. That may have affected Matias, who was surprisingly listless against Petros Ananyan and lost a 10-round unanimous decision. The 30-year-old has recovered to take undefeated records from Malik Hawkins (RTD 6) and Batyrzhan Jukembayev (RTD 8). Earlier this year, he erased the only blemish on his record when he stopped Ananyan (RTD 9).
THE FUTURE: Will face Jeremias Ponce for the vacant IBF title on the Deontay Wilder-Robert Helenius undercard on Oct. 15
No. 6 ARNOLD BARBOZA
RECORD: 27-0 (10 KO)
THE PAST: The 30-year-old Los Angeles native played football as a teenager, gaining as much as 210 pounds, before losing a massive amount of weight and returning to boxing. Barboza outclassed fellow prospect Mike Reed (UD 10) in 2018. He won the NABF title against Manuel Lopez (UD 10) and made two defenses, stopping former world champion Mike Alvarado (KO 3) and William Silva (KO 5). He beat former world title challenger Alex Saucedo (UD 10) and, more recently, took the undefeated record from Danielito Zorrilla (UD 10).
THE FUTURE: He has long gone back and forth with Teofimo Lopez on social media and was also at Lopez’s 140-pound debut. It wouldn’t be a surprise if they seemed to meet in December.
No. 7 GARY ANTUANNE RUSSELL
RECORD: 16-0 (16 KOs)
THE PAST: The younger brother of former WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr. and bantamweight contender Gary Antonio Russell Jr. was a noted amateur and represented the US at the 2016 Rio Olympics, coming to the quarterfinals. After transitioning into the pro ranks, Russell was impressive, but the 26-year-old’s southpaw activity initially held him back. This year has been a breakthrough for him and he has separated himself from the pack by stopping former world champions Viktor Postol (TKO 10) and Rances Barthelemy (TKO 6).
THE FUTURE: WBA champion Alberto Puello and vacant IBF title winner Matías-Ponce have ties to PBC like Russell, so a title shot in 2023 seems likely.
Shahjahan Ergashev (left) – Photo by Dave Mandel/Showtime
No. 8 SHAHJAHAN ERGASHEV
RECORD: 23-0 (20 KOs)
THE PAST: The hard-hitting Uzbekistan-born boxer won his first nine fights in Russia before moving to the United States. Since then, the 30-year-old southpaw has shown glimpses of his potential by capturing the undefeated records of Sonny Fredrickson (TKO 3) and Mykal Fox (UD 10). However, his team has been unable to attract bigger names to take on the fighter.
THE FUTURE: A little under the radar but an excellent fighter, who will keep himself busy until a big opportunity presents itself.
No. 9 ALBERTO PUELLO
RECORD: 21-0 (10 KO)
THE PAST: The complicated Dominican southpaw fought at home until earlier this year. The 28-year-old has wins over veteran Patrick Lopez (TKO 7), previously undefeated Jonathan Alonso (UD 12) and heavy-hitter Ve Shawn Owens (UD 10). When Taylor was forced to vacate the WBA title, Puello was paired with Batyr Akhmedov to fill the vacancy. Puello was able to use his abilities and outplay Akhmedov (SD 12).
THE FUTURE: He will likely make his first title defense late this year or early next.
No. 10 BATYR AKHMEDOV
RECORD: 9-2 (8 KOs)
THE PAST: The Uzbek wrestler represented Turkey at the 2016 Olympics, losing at the quarter-final stage. As a pro, he moved quickly and stopped the much more experienced Venezuelan Ismael Barroso (TKO 9). He controversially lost his unbeaten record to Mario Barrios (UD 12). Two wins later, he again found himself on the wrong end of a decision that could have worked out for him when he lost to Puello (SD 12).
THE FUTURE: He’ll hope he can lure Puello into a rematch after narrowly losing the first time. However, he may have to go back to the win column first.
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The Ring Magazine Revised Ratings: Junior Flyweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
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The Ring Ratings Revised in 2022: Junior Bantamweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
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The Ring Ratings Revised in 2022: Junior Featherweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
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The Ring Ratings Revised in 2022: Junior Lightweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Ratings Revised in 2022: Lightweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected] and you can follow him on [email protected]
