Boxing Rankings

Heavyweight (200lb+)

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Cruiserweight (200lb)

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Light Heavyweight (175lb)

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Super Middleweight (168lb)

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Middleweight (160lb)

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Super Welterweight (154lb)

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Welterweight (147lb)

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Super Lightweight (140lb)

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Lightweight (135lb)

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Super Featherweight (130lb)

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Featherweight (126lb)

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Super Bantamweight (122lb)

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Bantamweight (118lb)

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Super Flyweight (115lb)

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Flyweight (112lb)

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How Boxing Rankings Work

Which Governing Bodies Rank Boxers

Four major governing bodies rank boxers and sanction title fights in boxing. These are the World Boxing Council (WBC), the World Boxing Association (WBA), the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and the World Boxing Organisation (WBO). These four bodies are widely recognized as the only legitimate governing bodies in boxing by the sport, media and fans alike. However, perhaps even more importantly, every one of the ‘big four’ recognizes only the other three as the only other legitimate governing bodies in boxing.

On the other hand, some other organizations and initiatives provide professional boxing with rankings and even title fights. However, these are unrecognized as the legitimate rankings by the boxing public or the other major organizations. One example is the International Boxing Organisation (IBO), which despite having some notable champions showcase their belt after fights, is not recognized as a major sanctioning body by the other world organizations, or by most of the boxing public.

Having four different sets of rankings is confusing for many casual observers of the sport. Other notable organizations that try to provide some clarity across weight division are The Ring Magazine, and also the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board (TBRB). These rank boxers according to their own rules and policies.

How Often Are Boxing Rankings Updated?

Rankings in boxing are updated once a month. The different governing bodies favor different times. The IBF and WBC tend to release its in the first week of the month. The WBO favor the middle of the month, while the WBA tend to reveal its towards the end of a month. If you notice that it’s been over a month since one of them were updated, this usually means they’re waiting for a major fight to be completed in the coming days.

You will often notice that newly crowned champions still appear in the top 15, while recently dethrone champions are nowhere to be seen. This is simply because the rankings have not been updated since they fought.

Ranking Factors

Selected judging panels determine the rankings within the major organizations. The judging boards for the four major organizations which compile the rankings are always multinational. Judges come from almost every continent, bringing their perspective on the rankings. They rank the fighters according to organization rules, but the rankings may also be mostly subjective. Although every significant sanctioning body has its own set of rules, they share a lot of general rules that determine whether a boxer is eligible to be rated in the top 15 or move up positions.

Factors that attribute to a boxer’s rating in the top 15:

• A positive record
• Recent activity
• Quality of performance
• Quality of competition
• The significance of their bouts
• Accomplishments and record in amateur boxing
• Having a clean drug record
• Having a regional title in any of the organization’s regional affiliates

Also, there are some specific rules from every organization for a fighter to be ranked in the top 15.

The WBC requires the boxer to have:

• Competed in at least one 10 round bout
• Fought against another rated fighter, which may also include those ranked in the top 15 of other world organizations recognized by the WBC, within the 18-month period from the time the boxer was rated

Another example is the WBO’s requirement for a boxer to have competed in at least two contests scheduled for ten rounds or 4 contests scheduled for eight rounds

Additional factors that could attribute to a boxer’s rating are:

• Style
• Experience in elimination or championship bouts
• Positive TV exposure

What Do The Positions Mean?

Although there isn’t a perfect formula and exceptions occur very often, particular positions in the top 15 rankings usually bear some advantages and obligations for the boxer ranked.

Being ranked first in the top 15 rankings usually makes the boxer the mandatory challenger for the title in the respective weight class. If the title is vacant at a given time, whether a fighter has vacated their belt or had it stripped for not fighting a mandatory, then the organization will set up a title bout between the number one and number two ranked boxers. If those boxers are unavailable to fight, either as mandatory challenges or in eliminators, the organizations will generally work down rankings, offering the opportunity to the next highest ranked boxer.

Regarding final eliminators, the organizations appoint boxers from the upper half of the top 15 rankings to fight each other, with the winner becoming the mandatory challenger for the title of the organization. Fighters ranked in the bottom half of the top 15, can box in eliminator fights, which would eventually lead to a better ranking, a final eliminator fight or even an eventual title bout.

Since champions usually have to fight their mandatory challengers once a year, they also have the option to make a voluntary defense versus a challenger of their choosing. However, they can only choose from the top 15 ranked fighters in their division, opening the way to a title bout for a boxer ranked fairly lower in the top 15. This rule is pretty flexible, and you will often see hand-picked opponents for voluntary defenses, who were outside the top 15, suddenly make an appearance in the updated rankings for the organization the following month.

Lost Ranking Positions

A boxer can drop out or completely fall out of the ratings for numerous reasons. Although every significant sanctioning body has its own rules, a lot of them fall in line with some fundamental logical reasons for dropping out.

General factors that contribute to a boxer going down the rankings or completely falling out are:

• Losing
• Choosing to fight for another organization’s belt or a final eliminator
• Low-quality level of competition
• Low frequency of fighting, for example not competing in 9 months
• Use of illegal drugs, inside or outside of the ring
• Criminal behavior and legal issues
• Failure to pay sanction fees
• Failure to make weight
• Conduct that violates boxing regulations or rules
• Other specific factors that might be deemed relevant by one of the organizations