Ring Ratings Updated 2024: Middleweight

Salma October 2, 2024

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Denzel Bentley (L) and Janibek Alimkhanuly (R) exchange punches during their WBO middleweight title fight at The Palms in Las Vegas. Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images

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 take place, and the final decision of who should be placed in the seat is decided democratically every week. It sounds simple, but this can be a difficult and time-consuming process.

I will be going through each division backwards and forwards from strawweight to heavyweight and looking at the relative achievements of each fighter. I will then gaze into my crystal ball to see what may be going on.

Next up is the middleweight (160 pounds), which is one of boxing’s weakest divisions and needs the most improvement.

As always, please enjoy the debate and respect other people’s opinions.

Number 1 – ZHANIBEK ALIMKHANULY

RECORD: 15-0 (10 KOs)

PREVIOUSLY: Alimkhanuly won gold at the 2013 World Championships before representing Kazakhstan at the 2016 Olympics, where she lost in the quarterfinals. As a pro, he moved quickly and scored impressive wins over Rob Brant (RTD 8) and Hassan N’dam (TKO 8). Alimkhanuly knocked out Danny Dignum (KO 2) to win the vacant WBO interim title. When Demetrius Andrade did not return to middleweight, Alimkhanuly was promoted to full champion. The 31-year-old southpaw looked average against Denzel Bentley (UD 12) but returned to impressive form to knock out Steven Butler (KO 2). He stopped Vincenzo Gualtieri (TKO 6) to add the IBF title to the mix last October.

FUTURE: He was due to defend his titles in July against Andrei Mikhailovich but had to pull out after collapsing while trying to lose weight. The fight was in a claim won by Mikhailovich’s team, and now Alimkhanuly will have to travel to Sydney, Australia to put his IBF title on the line on October 4.

🧐 pic.twitter.com/qEHnMuesDV

– Janibek Alimkhanuly (@qazaqstyle) September 24, 2024

No. 2 – HAMZAH SHEERAZ

RECORD: 21-0 (17 KOs)

PREVIOUSLY: Sheeraz is a professional turner at the age of 18 and studied his craft at home in the UK before finding Rocky Funez to work with him at the Ten Goose gym in Los Angeles. It goes without saying that he has evolved into a more complete fighter since his bout with Bradley Skeete. when he had to arrive late and was stopped in the ninth round. The tall boxer scored three early victories over River Wilson-Bent (TKO 2), Dymtro Mytrofanov (TKO 2) and former world champion Liam Williams (TKO 1). However, it was the stoppages of undefeated Austin Williams (TKO 11) in June and the demolition of long-time regular Tyler Denny (TKO 2) for the European title that caught the eye.

FUTURE: He could face Denzel Bentley later this year for the WBO Interim title.

No. 3 – CARLOS ADAMES

RECORD: 24-1 (18 KOs)

PREVIOUSLY: Adames was first noticed in the junior middleweight division, where he defeated Frank Galarza (TKO 4) and Patrick Day (UD 10). Adames was upset by Patrick Teixeira (UD 12) in his bid to win the vacant WBO interim title. After returning to action, he won two fights before getting an excellent victory over Sergiy Derevyanchenko (UD 10). The powerful fighter from the Dominican Republic became the owner of the interim WBC title (out of sight of The Ring) when he knocked out Juan Macias Montiel (KO 3) and retained his title against former junior middleweight champion Julian Williams (TKO 9). The 30-year-old was named overall champion and defended his title against Terrell Gausha (UD 12).

FUTURE: He can defend his title against the dangerous Meiirim Nursultanov next.

Erislandy Lara (left) entered the middleweight rankings with his TKO of Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan. Photo by Amanda Westcott-Showtime

No. 4 – ERISLANDY LARA

RECORD: 31-3-3 (19 KOs)

PREVIOUSLY: The star of the Cuban auteur would have been the favorite to win the Olympic gold in 2008, but there was a mistake before that. He continued to be 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 beaten in a satisfactory manner. Lara gave Paul Williams (L MD 12), Canelo Alvarez (L SD 12) and Jarrett Hurd (L SD 12) all they could handle in narrow defeats. The 41-year-old southpaw has moved up to middleweight and has won four fights, captured the WBA title, and most recently knocked out former two-division champion Danny Garcia (RTD 9).

FUTURE: It has just been fought so it won’t be fought until the end of the year.

Number 5 – CHRIS EBANK JR.

RECORD: 33-3 (24 KOs)

PREVIOUSLY: Eubank learned on the job as a professional before partially leaving the decision to the more experienced Billy Joe Saunders (UD 12). He moved up to 168 pounds and defeated Arthur Abraham (UD 12) and Avni Yildirim (KO 3) before dropping a decision to George Groves (UD 12) in the World Boxing Super Series. He returned with a win over James DeGale (UD 12) and has dropped back down to 160 pounds. 35-year-old Liam Williams who was knocked down four times on his way to a comprehensive 12-round decision and was shockingly stopped by Liam Smith (TKO 4) but bounced back with a victory (TKO 10) in their rematch.

FUTURE: He will face former world title contender Kamil Szeremeta in Riyadh on October 12.

The Hit List #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/8cL8nkk9EE

– Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) September 8, 2024

No. 6 – MEIIRIM NUSULTANOV

RECORD: 20-0 (11 KOs)

PREVIOUSLY: Nursultanov was a talented novice before starting a professional career in America in 2016. The 31-year-old boxer has fought all over the world and is beating Andrey Sirotkin (RTD 5), former world champion Marcelo Coceres (UD 10). ), took Kazuto Takesako’s unbeaten record (TKO 8) and beat Julio Alamos (UD 12)

FUTURE: In the debates he will face WBC champion Adames.

No. 7 – ETINOSA OLIHA

RECORD: 21-0 (9 KOs)

PREVIOUSLY: Oliha won his first 16 fights in his native Italy before collapsing with William Scull and being knocked out by Agon. He is now fighting for a German promoter. Since then, the 26-year-old has defeated two undefeated Julio Alamos (UD 12) and Faton Vukshinaj (UD 12) and recently stopped Alexander Pavlov (TKO 3) in the IBF championship.

FUTURE: Oliha is fresh off the win over Pavlov and will be eyeing the IBF title on Friday.

Number 8 – KYRONE DAVIS

RECORD: 19-3-1 (6 KOs)

PREVIOUSLY: The Delaware native has been a professional for ten years. He won his first 10 fights before losing to undefeated Junior Castillo (UD 8). Four fights later he lost to Patrick Day (UD 10) at junior middleweight. He was offered a super middleweight fight against Anthony Dirrell and held the title holder to a surprise. This result led to a fight with David Benavidez (L TKO 7). That loss made him return to middleweight where he won three fights, including a tough loss to Elijah Garcia (SD 10).

FUTURE: He will be hoping that Garcia’s win is the most important thing.

Shane Mosley Jr. (right) presses D’Metrius Ballard against the ropes in Round 7. Photo by Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy Promotions

No. 9 – TROY Isley

RECORD: 13-0 (5 KOs)

PREVIOUSLY: Isley was an outstanding freshman, representing the US at the 2017 World Championships, where she won bronze, and at the 2020 Olympics (delayed to 2021), where she reached the Round of 16. She turned professional in early 2021 and moved forward. standards. The 26-year-old held notable victories over the rugged spoiler Vladimir Hernandez (UD 8) and, more recently, against fellow prospect Javier Martinez (UD 10).

FUTURE: Isley will face one-time champion Tyler Howard in Norfolk, Virginia on November 8.

No. 10 – SHANE MOSLEY JR.

RECORD: 22-4 (12 KOs)

PREVIOUSLY: Mosley followed his famous father into boxing and although he has lost – Brandon Adams (UD 10) and Jason Quigley (MD 10) – he continues to learn and improve and is on a five-fight winning streak, which includes a win over tricky veteran Gabe Rosado (MD 10). , veteran D’Metrius Ballard (KO 7) and, most recently, former All-Star Daniel Jacobs (UD 10).

FUTURE: He has made his goal clear on social media recently.