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 middleweight. As always, he enjoys the debate and respects the opinions of others.
CHAMPION JERMELL CHARLO
RECORD: 35-1-1 (19 KOs)
THE PAST: Charlo beat a host of solid fighters including Gabriel Rosado (UD 10), Vanes Martirosyan (UD 10) and Joachim Alcine (TKO 6) before capturing the vacant WBC title with a knockout against John Jackson (KO 8). The Texan made three defenses, most impressively knocking out Erickson Lubin (KO 1), but controversially lost his title to Tony Harrison (UD 12). After a comeback win, he regained the title, struggling at times before knocking out Harrison (KO 11). The 32-year-old added the Ring, WBA and IBF titles to his collection when he knocked out Jeison Rosario (KO 8). He fought his WBO counterpart, Brian Castano, to a controversial draw. However, in the rematch he stopped the Argentinian fighter in 10 rounds to become the undisputed champion.
THE FUTURE: He will face WBO president Tim Tszyu on January 28.
No. 1 BRIAN BROWN
RECORD: 17-1-2 (12 KOs)
THE PAST: Castaño was a noted fan. The Argentine is an aggressive boxer-puncher who has wins over Michel Soro (SD 12) and Cedric Vitu (TKO 12) in France. Since then, the 33-year-old has drawn to a draw with Erislandy Lara (D 12), stopped fringe contender Wale Omotoso (TKO 5) and vastly outclassed Patrick Teixeira (UD 12) to claim the WBO title. He then fought Charlo (D 12) to a stop before being stopped in 10 rounds in the rematch.
THE FUTURE: The Argentine fighter will have to go back up. Most likely, he will return in the new year.
Nº 2 SEBASTIAN FOUNDER
RECORD: 19-0-1 (13 KOs)
THE PAST: Fundora built a portion of his early record on the road in Mexico, Argentina and Uruguay. The 24-year-old has physical advantages over his opponents, standing 6-foot-5½ with a gargantuan 80-inch reach (unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has a 78-inch reach). However, instead of boxing outside, he prefers to stand up and fight. He has impressed in the United States and in the last two years, beating the likes of Nathaniel Gallimore (KO 6) and Jorge Cota (TKO 4), Sergio Garcia (UD 12) and, most recently, coming off the canvas to beat Erickson. . Lubin (RTD 9) in a war of attrition.
THE FUTURE: Aiming to further solidify his position by beating Carlos Ocampo in Carson, California on October 8.
No. 3 TIM TSZYU
RECORD: 21-0 (15 KOs)
THE PAST: Tszyu, who is the eldest son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, turned pro in December 2016. Since then, he has moved steadily up the ranks beating the likes of Dwight Richie (UD 10), former welterweight champion Jeff Horn (TKO 8), the respected two-time world title challenger Dennis Hogan (TKO 5) and the iron-clad Takeshi Inoue (UD 12). The 27-year-old made his US debut earlier this year and had to come off the canvas in the first round against the more experienced Terrell Gausha (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: Gets his long-awaited shot at the WBO mandatory title against Charlo on Jan. 28.
Tim Tszyu (left) and Steve Spark Photo by Darren Burns
#4 TONY HARRISON
RECORD: 29-3-1 (21 KOs)
THE PAST: This skilled boxer-puncher was stopped by Jarrett Hurd (TKO 9) when challenging for the vacant IBF title. However, he surprised Charlo by sticking to his game plan and claiming a close and controversial decision. Harrison was stopped in the direct rematch. In his return, he battled with Bryant Perrella (D 12), but seemed to be back at his best when he won a lopsided decision over Sergio Garcia (UD 10).
THE FUTURE: He wants to face Charlo in a rubber match and has also ruled out the notion of a fight against Danny Garcia. Either way, it’s important for him to stay active and build on the momentum of Garcia’s victory.
Nº 5 ERICKSON LUBÍN
RECORD: 24-2 (17 KOs)
THE PAST: The former amateur star seemed to be on his way to representing the U.S. at the 2016 Olympics. However, Lubin turned pro at 18, and though he looked good during his rise, the champion of the WBC, Jermell Charlo, stopped him in one round. That may have ruined a lot of fighters but, to his credit, Lubin has upped his game and won six fights, most notably stopping former unified champion Jeison Rosario (KO 6). However, he did lose an action-packed shootout with Fundora (RTD 9) in April.
THE FUTURE: The loss of Fundora was particularly damaging. Lubin is likely still recovering before mounting a comeback in 2023.
No. 6 MAGOMED KURBANOV
RECORD: 23-0 (13 KOs)
THE PAST: The 27-year-old Russian turned pro in 2015. He has a victory over former welterweight contender Diego Chaves (UD 12), former junior middleweight champion Liam Smith (UD 12) and, more recently, Patrick Teixeira (UD 10).
THE FUTURE: Having fought in July, it’s a safe bet to say that he will probably return to Russia at the end of this year.
#7 LIAM SMITH
RECORD: 31-3-1 (19 KO)
THE PAST: Smith is one of four wrestling brothers. He won British and Commonwealth titles before claiming the WBO 154-pound title in 2015. Smith made two defenses before losing to Canelo Alvarez (TKO 9). He returned to the win column against future middleweight title challenger Liam Williams (RTD 9 / MD 12) before dropping a decision to Jaime Munguia (UD 12). “Beefy” won three fights before controversially losing to Kurbanov (UD 12). However, he has bounced back strongly with three wins, notably stopping former two-weight world champion Jessie Vargas (TKO 10).
THE FUTURE: He recently beat Hassan Mwakinyo (TKO 4) and finished the year. I would love another world title shot, but I could opt to face countryman Chris Eubank Jr. in a big-money middleweight fight if Eubank Jr. beats Connor Benn.
Madrimov (left) and Soro. Photo by Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
No. 8 ISRAEL MADRIMOV
RECORD: 8-0-1 (6 KOs)
THE PAST: Won a host of amateur titles before turning pro in the fall of 2018. The 27-year-old moved quickly due to his amateur pedigree. “The Dream” has been a nightmare for his opponents and has defeated veterans such as Norberto González (TKO 6), Alejandro Barrera (TKO 5) and Eric Walker (UD 12). He also has a win over perennial contender Michel Soro (TKO 9 / Tech Draw 3).
THE FUTURE: It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him appear on partner Dmitry Bivol’s undercard in November. Regardless, he will fight before the end of the year possibly against someone like James Metcalfe or Johan Gonzalez, who are also highly ranked by the WBA.
No. 9 MICHEL SORO
RECORD: 35-3-2 (24 KOs)
THE PAST: The 34-year-old French veteran won the European title early in his career and has wins over Glen Tapia (TKO 4), Javier Maciel (TKO 3) and Cedric Vitu (TKO 5). After a two-year hiatus largely due to Covid, he returned against Madrimov, who controversially stopped him in nine rounds. They fought a rematch in July, the fight cut short when Soro was cut by a clash of heads in the third round.
THE FUTURE: Soro needs to get into the win column and can’t afford long periods of inactivity at this stage of his career. He lives and fights outside of France, maybe he could see the European title as a way back.
#10 CARLOS OCAMPO
RECORD: 34-1 (22 KOs)
THE PAST: He made his way on the Mexican circuit defeating the likes of Jhony Navarrete (UD 10), Jorge Páez Jr. (UD 10) and Daniel Echeverria (UD 10) and became the IBF mandatory challenger. However, none of that prepared him for Errol Spence Jr. and he had a rude awakening on his US debut when he was stopped in one round. The 26-year-old moved up to 154 pounds and had 12 straight wins, including an impressive win against Mikael Zewski (TKO 9) in Canada.
THE FUTURE: His big break comes when he faces Fundora on Oct. 8.
YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
The Ring Ratings Reviewed in 2022: Pound for Pound – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Ratings Revised in 2022: Strawweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Magazine Revised Ratings: Junior Flyweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2022: Flyweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Ratings Revised in 2022: Junior Bantamweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Ratings Revised in 2022: Bantamweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Ratings Revised in 2022: Junior Featherweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Ratings Revised in 2022: Featherweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Ratings Revised in 2022: Junior Lightweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Ratings Revised in 2022: Lightweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Magazine Ratings Revised: Junior Welterweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Ratings Revised in 2022: Welterweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected] and you can follow him on [email protected]
