Jaron Ennis is clearly the No. 1 welterweight behind only Ring champ Terence Crawford. Photo by Amanda Westcott/Matchroom
Jaron Ennis made his hometown return on Saturday a triumphant one by stopping game welterweight contender David Avanesyan after five completed rounds before more than 14,000 fans at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
The expected one-sided performance was more than enough to elevate the undefeated 27-year-old switch-hitter from No. 2 to No. 1 in The Ring’s welterweight rankings, displacing inactive former unified titleholder Errol Spence.
That move was a no-brainer for the Ring Ratings Panel but deciding what to do with future hall of famer Roman Gonzalez led to some discussion. Gonzalez ended a 19-month ring absence with a 10th-round stoppage of tough but unheralded Rober Barrera in a huge homecoming celebration in Managua, Nicaragua on Friday.
Anson Wainwright suggested returning Gonzalez to the junior bantamweight rankings (he had been removed for inactivity), but the majority of the panel disagreed with this move for a variety of reasons.
“Gonzalez stopped Barrera in the 10th and final round,” said Wainwright. “Return of The King! He could re-enter at 115, although he has mentioned going up to bantamweight. His weight was only 116¾, so should we keep him at 115 for now?”
Adam Abramowitz didn’t think so.
“I think it’s inappropriate to bring Roman Gonzalez back in at 115,” he said. “His fight this week was closer to 118 than 115.”
Suggested Michael Montero: “Technically, Chocolatito’s fight was at bantamweight so we should probably rate him there.”
Added Daisuke Sugiura: “I heard the plan for Choco is going for (Kosei) Tanaka’s WBO 115-pound title rather than (a belt at) 118, although (plans) could change. So, it’s more like Choco is a 115-pound fighter who fought at bantamweight for a comeback fight, but I don’t know what we should do here. Just rank him at 118 for now because he fought there and modify later?”
Despite his admiration for the four-division champ, Tom Gray didn’t agree with ranking Gonzalez at either weight.
Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez. Photo by Jairo Cajina/All Star Boxing
“We need to be careful here,” he said. “With the exception of Doug, I’m the biggest Chocolatito fan out there. However, the kid he just fought is 4-4 in his last eight, he’s fought nobody in recent years and he’s been stopped three times.
“Barrera is also a registered super flyweight, and he’s rated 131 by Boxrec, so why would we give Choc a bantamweight rating? This smacks of nostalgia for what Roman once was.
“Let him take down Kosei – which I think he will – and give him a rating when he deserves one.”
Added Abramowitz: “That’s a good comment, Tom.”
Added Wainwright: “I could see Chocolatito coming back in at 115 despite the opponent.”
Replied Gray: “From memory, if neither guy makes 115, then we don’t rate them at 115. Do we ever do that?
“It would be a nostalgia call, mate… Pacquiao-esque. And I get it; Chocolatito is a guy you’d want to cover in glory. It’s just not a win that gets you in the ratings.”
Added Your favorite Editor-In-Chief: “As much as I adore Chocolatito, I agree with Tom’s points. Gonzalez came back at bantamweight and fought a game but mid-level opponent. That’s not going to get him rated at 115 or 118. He’s a first-ballot future hall of famer but he’s got to earn his Ring rankings just like everyone else.”
Added Abraham Gonzalez: “Agree with Tom and Adam. Let’s hold off on Chocolatito’s movement for now.”
Added Wasim Mather: “I’m also a fan of Chocolatito, but I support the decision to hold off on the movement for now.”
Added Diego Morilla: “For the same reasons that both Tom and Doug have already expressed, I would leave Chocolatito out for now. Huge fan too, but the weight situation doesn’t help.”
Concluded Jake Donovan: “I’m in agreement with the majority to leave Chocolatito out of both 118 and 115. If Nonito Donaire were No. 10 instead of No. 9, I’d MAYBE suggest swapping him out. He will drop off in two weeks (inactivity) anyway; can revisit then, though still not sure Chocolatito will make the cut, as much as we all love him. Not comfortable removing Cuellar to make room for him based on that one win vs what was supposed to be a walkover.”
HOUSEKEEPING
Abramowitz recently pointed out that it’s been a LONG time since Jermell Charlo defended his Ring Magazine 154-pound title.
“Someone reached out to me and asked why Jermell Charlo is still our champ at 154 in that he hasn’t made a defense at the weight class in well over 18 months,” he said. “What is our feeling on this and is he past due regarding our championship policy?”
Replied Yours Truly: “Hey Adam, we’re due for some house cleaning.
“Jermell Charlo hasn’t defended the Ring Magazine 154-pound title since May 2022, so he’s in clear violation of our championship policy, which states that a champion will lose his/her belt if he/she “does not schedule a fight at his/her championship weight for 18 months (even if he fights at another weight)”.
“I think we should declare the Ring junior middleweight championship to be vacant. We can put it to a vote if need be.
“Ra’eese Aleem has been inactive since his split decision loss to Sam Goodman last June, so he needs to come out of the junior featherweight rankings. I think Alan Picasso could replace him at No. 10.
“Both Errol Spence and Nonito Donaire will hit the one-year inactivity mark on July 29. When Spence is dropped from the P4P, I think we can revisit Devin Haney‘s reinstatement into the rankings. I don’t know where he fits back in the top 10 but that’s something we can discuss.”
Jermell Charlo has not fought at junior middleweight since becoming undisputed champ by stopping Brian Castano on May 14, 2022. Photo by Stephanie Trapp / SHOWTIME
Added Gonzalez: “I’m all for the junior middleweight title to now become vacant. It’s the appropriate time to do it.”
Added Mather: “I fully support the decision to make the junior middleweight title vacant. It’s been two years, and it’s time to keep things moving.”
Added Wainwright: “I also agree, declare the junior middleweight title vacant.
“I have a few guys to come out for inactivity (thanks to Brian) and will bring that up in our Sunday ratings.”
Added Morilla: “Yes to the 154-lb. title becoming vacant, no problem.
Added Gray: “The Iron Man has turned to rust. 154 title vacant.”
The Scotsman has spoken.
Wainwright brought up four Ring-rated fighters (including Aleem) that senior editor Brian Harty identified as being past the one-year mark:
Cody Crowley (147) – “Bring in Jin Sasaki at No. 10.”
Ra’eese Aleem (122) – “Bring in Alan Picasso at No. 10.”
Israel Gonzalez (115) – Roman Gonzalez to return at No. 3, or David Jimenez at No. 10.
Knockout Freshmart (105) – “Tabbed to face Alex Winwood in September. If it doesn’t happen, take him out.”
RING RATINGS UPDATE (as of July 13):
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT – The Ring championship is now vacant.
WELTERWEIGHT – Ennis advances to No. 1. Avanesyan drops to No. 8. Cody Crowley exits due to inactivity. Jin Sasaki (17-1-1, 16 KOs) enters at No. 10.
LIGHTWEIGHT – Raymond Muratalla remains at No. 6 after scoring a close 10-round unanimous decision over Tevin Farmer.
JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT – Albert Batyrgaziev enters at No. 9 after stopping Jono Carroll in nine rounds.
FEATHERWEIGHT – Ruben Villa exits after dropping a 10-round decision to Sulaiman Segawa. Former 122-pound beltholder Angelo Leo (24-1, 11 KOs) enters at No. 10.
JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT – Sam Goodman remains at No. 4 after winning a 12-round decision over Chainoi Worawot. Ra’eese Aleem exits due to inactivity. Young Mexican up-and-comer Alan Picasso (28-0-1, 16 KOs) enters at No. 10.
JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHT – Israel Gonzalez exits due to inactivity. David Jimenez, who is rated at flyweight but coming off a decision victory over previously unbeaten junior bantamweight contender John Ramirez (in April), enters at No. 10.
David Jimenez takes it to John “Scrappy” Ramirez. Photo by Cris Esqueda-Golden Boy
“I don’t necessarily mind Jimenez entering based on his win over Scrappy,” noted Donovan. “Just seems like a weak double-entry contender (he’s already No. 6 at 112). Would feel better if we had clarity on his next fight (I’ll see what I can find out).
Added Wainwright: “I don’t like the double inclusion, not a fan. However, Jimenez was our No. 10 but came out to make way for (Juan Francisco) Estrada coming back into the ratings after losing to Bam. I checked with Jimenez’s team and they are still working on what’s next and are open to fighting at 115 and 112.”
