Sunny Edwards (left) vs. Felix Alvarado. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
The Ring first introduced its divisional ratings in 1925. Almost a century later, it’s no exaggeration to claim that these independent ratings are the most respected and talked-about in world boxing.
The Ring Ratings Panel is made up of a dozen experts from around the world. Opinions are shared, debate takes place, and the final decision on who should be rated where is decided democratically every week. It sounds easy, but this can be an arduous and time-consuming process.
I will be going through each division in reverse order and work my way up from strawweight to heavyweight to take a look at each rated fighter’s respective achievements and gaze into my crystal ball to see what may lay ahead.
Next up is flyweight (112-pounds), which has seen IBF/WBO kingpin Jesse Rodriguez vacate his titles and move up in weight, which in turn has created openings for others. As always, please enjoy the debate and respect other people’s opinions.
No. 1 – SUNNY EDWARDS
RECORD: 21-1 (4 KOs)
THE PAST: Edwards was a good amateur, winning titles domestically in the UK before turning professional in 2016. He followed his older brother, Charlie, who won a flyweight world title, when he used his expert footwork and fast hands to shock IBF titlist Moruti Mthalane (UD 12). Edwards made four title defenses, notably besting Felix Alvarado (UD 12). The 28-year-old dared to be great and headed to America only to lose to WBO titlist Jesse Rodriguez (RTD 9) in a unification, but has since returned with a win over former junior flyweight beltholder Adrian Curiel (TD 9).
THE FUTURE: An all-British fight with Galal Yafai looms, but if that doesn’t happen he could look to secure a second world title.
No. 2 – ANGEL AYALA
RECORD: 18-0 (8 KOs)
THE PAST: The 24-year-old Mexican burst onto the world scene when he scored an impressive win over former titleholder Cristofer Rosales (UD 12). The still largely unknown fighter has since become the first man to stop 32-fight veteran Miguel Angel Herrera (TKO 1). He had to get off the canvas to edge past Felix Alvarado (SD 12) but came good impressively stopping Dave Apolinario (KO 6) to win the IBF title.
THE FUTURE: He is now basking in his world title glory, though we may see him defending his title in the fall.
No. 3 – SEIGO YURI AKUI
RECORD: 20-2-1 (11 KOs)
THE PAST: The Japanese fighter started off his career with 11 wins from 12 fights, the blemish was a draw, before losing his unbeaten status to future two-weight titleholder Junto Nakatani (TKO 6). He bounced back impressively, stopping future junior flyweight titlist Masamichi Yabuki (TKO 1). However, he then suffered another reverse, this time against Jaysever Abcede (TKO 8). The 28-year-old went on to claim the national title and holds wins over Taku Kuwahara (TKO 10), Takuya Kogawa (TKO 10) and a shutout over Jayson Vayson (UD 10). He edged home against Artem Dalakian (UD 12) to win the WBA title, and repeated the win over Kuwahara (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: Likely to make his second defense on one of the big shows in Japan in the final quarter of this year.
Dalakian’s counterpunch-on-the-fly style gave Akui (left) fits but didn’t score points with the official judges. Photo by Naoki Fukuda
No. 4 – ARTEM DALAKIAN
RECORD: 22-1 (15 KOs)
THE PAST: Dalakian quietly went about his business in the Ukraine before coming to the U.S. and impressively beating Brian Viloria (UD 12) for the vacant WBA title in February 2018. The 36-year-old has since made six defenses, with all but one taking place in the Ukraine, mostly against mid-level opposition. His activity has been badly hit by the Covid pandemic and then the war in his homeland. Dalakian returned to action in England and beat Ring-rated David Jimenez (UD 12) but lost the title in his last time out in controversial fashion to Yuri Akui (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: Relocated to Los Angeles and currently assessing his options.
No. 5 – DAVID JIMENEZ
RECORD: 16-1 (11 KOs)
THE PAST: Jimenez fought internationally for Costa Rica as an amateur before turning professional in early 2019. The 32-year-old has been able to move relatively quickly. However, it is his win over Ricardo Sandoval (MD 12) in a WBA title eliminator, in which he scored an 11th round knockdown that made the difference, that he drew acclaim for. He lost to Dalakian (UD 12) but returned to winning ways with four victories, notably against the usually sturdy Rosendo Hugo Guarneros (RTD 7) and, most recently, jumped up to 115 pounds where he bested John Ramirez (UD 12).
THE FUTURE: Yet to decide whether his future lays at 112 or 115, could fight in Costa Rica in December.
No. 6 – RICARDO SANDOVAL
RECORD: 25-2 (18 KOs)
THE PAST: The 25-year-old Californian turned professional across the border in Mexico in 2016. He bounced back from an early defeat and scored wins over once-beaten Oscar Vasquez (UD 8) and stopped experienced Raymond Tabugon (KO 7). He traveled to the UK and beat former world title challenger Jay Harris (KO 8) in an IBF eliminator. Took a gamble that didn’t pay off when he faced unheralded David Jimenez (MD 12). “El Niño” has since returned with five wins, which includes victories over experienced former world title challenger Carlos Buitrago (RTD 8) and former junior flyweight titleholder Angel Acosta (KO 10).
THE FUTURE: Sandoval is ranked in the top 15 by all four major sanctioning bodies, and will be looking for a world title shot soon.
No. 7 – FELIX ALVARADO
RECORD: 41-4 (35 KOs)
THE PAST: Alvarado lost world title attempts to Kazuto Ioka (UD 12) and Juan Carlos Reveco (UD 12) early in his career. “El Gemelo” rebounded with 15 wins to secure a shot at the vacant IBF 108-pound belt. He stopped Randy Petalcorin (TKO 7) in October 2018 and made two successful title defenses. The aggressive 35-year-old vacated his title to move up in weight, he lost an IBF title fight against Edwards (UD 12). He headed to Mexico and seemed unlucky against Ayala (L UD 12) but has scored two wins back in Nicaragua.
THE FUTURE: A dangerous puncher who is a tough out for anyone, may have to work his way into a mandatory position to get a world title shot.
Galal Yafai (left) and Miguel Cartagena during their bout at Madison Square Garden. – Photo by Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.
No. 8 – ANTHONY OLASCUAGA
RECORD: 7-1 (5 KOs)
THE PAST: Olascuaga turned professional in 2019 and moved quickly, defeating former world title challengers Saul Juarez (UD 8) and Gilberto Pedroza (UD 8) in his second and third fights respectively. The Los Angeles native received a late notice call after only five pro bouts to step into a world title fight against Ring champion and WBA/WBC titleholder Kenshiro Teraji, and though he was stopped in nine rounds he acquitted himself well. He returned with a stoppage win over Giemel Magramo (TKO 7) and, most recently, knocked out Riku Kano (KO 3) to win the vacant WBO belt.
THE FUTURE: Looks like he may face mandatory challenger Jonathan Gonzalez as soon as October.
No. 9 – CRISTOFER ROSALES
RECORD: 37-6 (22 KOs)
THE PAST: The Nicaraguan warhorse earned his stripes fighting at home and gaining international experience in losing efforts to future world titleholder Kal Yafai (PTS 8) and once-touted Andrew Selby (UD 12). Bounced back in style to stun the highly regarded but weight-drained Haigo Higa (TKO 9) to become the WBC titleholder. He made one defense before dropping the title to Charlie Edwards (UD 12). He was stopped by Julio Cesar Martinez (TKO 9) when the two contested the vacant WBC title. Subsequently lost to Ayala (UD 12) in a WBC title eliminator but is on a five-fight winning streak, including taking Joselito Velazquez’s (UD 10) unbeaten record.
THE FUTURE: Tabbed to meet Kenshiro Teraji for the vacant WBC belt later this year.
No. 10 – GALAL YAFAI
RECORD: 7-0 (5 KOs)
THE PAST: Yafai wasn’t able to medal at the 2016 Olympics but returned in 2020 (delayed to 2021) and picked up gold. The youngest of three fighting brothers, he famously turned professional in a 10-round contest and has moved quickly. The 31-year-old southpaw holds wins over Rocco Santomauro (UD 10) and once-touted Agustin Gauto (TKO 8).
THE FUTURE: A potential all-British fight with Edwards could happen in the fall, otherwise he’ll keep working toward a world title fight.
On the Cusp: Dave Apolinario, Angelino Cordova, Vince Paras, Tobias Reyes and Francisco Rodriguez Jr.
YOU MAY HAVE MISSED:
The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2024: Pound for Pound – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2024: Strawweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2024: Junior flyweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected].
