HEAVYWEIGHT

Updated: 19 Oct, 2024

Ukraine flag
Oleksandr Usyk photo

The Ring Heavyweight Champion

Oleksandr
Usyk

22-0-0

Stats icon
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Next Scheduled Defence
United Kingdom flag Fury (34-1-1) 21-Dec-2024
Last defence
United Kingdom flag Fury (34-0-1) SD 12 18-May-2024
Time inactive
189 days - (6 months & 5 days)
Won against
United Kingdom flag Joshua (24-2-0) SD 12 20-Aug-2022
Time held
826 days - (2 years & 3 months)
Total defences
2
May 18 2024
SD 12 United Kingdom flag Fury (34-0-1)
Aug 26 2023
KO 9 United Kingdom flag Dubois (19-1-0)
Activity average
Every 413 days - (1 year & 1 month)
Mandatory challenger
TBC
Last mandatory
None Called Yet
Since a mandatory
826 days - (2 years & 3 months)
1
United Kingdom flag
Tyson Fury photo
-
Fury
2
United Kingdom flag
Daniel Dubois photo
-
Dubois
3
New Zealand flag
Joseph Parker photo
-
Parker
4
China flag
Zhilei Zhang photo
-
Zhang
5
Germany flag
Agit Kabayel photo
-
Kabayel
6
Congo, The Democratic Republic of The flag
Martin Bakole Ilunga photo
-
Bakole
7
United Kingdom flag
Anthony Joshua photo
-
Joshua
8
Croatia flag
Filip Hrgovic photo
-
Hrgovic
9
United Kingdom flag
Fabio Wardley photo
-
Wardley
10
Nigeria flag
Efe Ajagba photo
-
Ajagba

CRUISERWEIGHT

Updated: 19 Oct, 2024

Australia flag
Jai Opetaia photo

The Ring Cruiserweight Champion

Jai
Opetaia

26-0-0

Stats icon
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Next Scheduled Defence
TBA
Last defence
Latvia flag Briedis (28-2-0) UD 12 18-May-2024
Time inactive
189 days - (6 months & 5 days)
Won against
Latvia flag Briedis (28-1-0) UD 12 02-Jul-2022
Time held
875 days - (2 years & 4 months)
Total defences
3
May 18 2024
UD 12 Latvia flag Briedis (28-2-0)
Dec 23 2023
KO 1 United Kingdom flag Zorro (17-0-0)
Sep 30 2023
TKO 4 United Kingdom flag Thompson (15-0-0)
Activity average
Every 292 days - (9 months & 18 days)
Mandatory challenger
TBC
Last mandatory
None Called Yet
Since a mandatory
875 days - (2 years & 4 months)
1
United Kingdom flag
Chris Billam-Smith photo
-
Billam Smith
2
Germany flag
Noel ‘Gevor’ Mikaelian photo
-
Mikaelian
3
Mexico flag
Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez photo
-
Ramirez
4
Russian Federation flag
Aleksei Papin photo
-
Papin
5
United Kingdom flag
Richard Riakporhe photo
-
Riakporhe
6
Armenia flag
Arsen Goulamirian photo
-
Goulamirian
7
Poland flag
Michal Cieslak photo
-
Cieslak
8
Canada flag
Ryan Rozicki photo
-
Rozicki
9
Argentina flag
Yamil Alberto Peralta photo
-
Peralta

17-1-0

10
United Kingdom flag
Cheavon Clarke photo
-
Clarke

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

Updated: 19 Oct, 2024

Russian Federation flag
Artur Beterbiev photo

The Ring Light Heavyweight Champion

Artur
Beterbiev

21-0-0

Stats icon
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Next Scheduled Defence
TBA
Last defence
Not Defended Yet
Time inactive
42 days - (1 month & 11 days)
Won against
Russian Federation flag Bivol (23-0-0) MD 12 12-Oct-2024
Time held
42 days - (1 month & 11 days)
Total defences
0
Activity average
N/A
Mandatory challenger
TBC
Last mandatory
None Called Yet
Since a mandatory
42 days - (1 month & 11 days)
1
Russian Federation flag
Dmitry Bivol photo
-
Bivol
2
United States flag
David Benavidez photo
-
Benavidez
3
United Kingdom flag
Joshua Buatsi photo
-
Buatsi
4
United Kingdom flag
Anthony Yarde photo
-
Yarde
5
Venezuela flag
Albert Ramirez photo
-
Ramirez
6
United Kingdom flag
Callum Smith photo
-
Smith
7
Ukraine flag
Oleksandr Gvozdyk photo
-
Gvozdyk
8
Cuba flag
David Morrell photo
-
Morrell
9
United Kingdom flag
Willy Hutchinson photo
-
Hutchinson
10
Russian Federation flag
Ali Izmailov photo
-
Izmailov

12-0-0

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT

Updated: 19 Oct, 2024

Mexico flag
Canelo Alvarez photo

The Ring Super Middleweight Champion

Canelo
Alvarez

62-2-2

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Next Scheduled Defence
TBA
Last defence
United States flag Berlanga (22-0-0) UD 12 14-Sep-2024
Time inactive
70 days - (2 months & 9 days)
Won against
United Kingdom flag Smith (27-0-0) UD 12 19-Dec-2020
Time held
1435 days - (3 years & 11 months)
Total defences
8
Sep 14 2024
UD 12 United States flag Berlanga (22-0-0)
May 04 2024
UD 12 Mexico flag Munguia (43-0-0)
Sep 30 2023
UD 12 United States flag Charlo (35-1-1)
May 06 2023
UD 12 United Kingdom flag Ryder (32-5-0)
Sep 17 2022
UD 12 Kazakhstan flag Golovkin (42-1-1)
Nov 06 2021
KO 11 United States flag Plant (21-0-0)
May 08 2021
TKO 8 United Kingdom flag Saunders (30-0-0)
Feb 27 2021
TKO 3 Turkey flag Yildirim (21-2-0)
Activity average
Every 179 days - (5 months & 26 days)
Mandatory challenger
TBC
Last mandatory
None Called Yet
Since a mandatory
1435 days - (3 years & 11 months)
1
Mexico flag
Jaime Munguia photo
-
Munguia
2
France flag
Christian Mbilli photo
-
Mbilli
3
Cuba flag
Osleys Iglesias photo
-
Iglesias
4
United States flag
Diego Pacheco photo
-
Pacheco
5
United States flag
Caleb Plant photo
-
Plant
6
Cuba flag
William Scull photo
Scull
7
Russian Federation flag
Vladimir Shishkin photo
1
Shishkin
8
United States flag
Edgar Berlanga photo
1
Berlanga
9
Canada flag
Erik Bazinyan photo
1
Bazinyan
10
Guatemala flag
Lester Martinez photo
1
Martinez

18-0-0

Dropped Out This Month

Uzbekistan flag
Bektemir Melikuziev photo
Melikuziev

MIDDLEWEIGHT

Updated: 19 Oct, 2024

Placeholder fighter photo

The Ring Middleweight Champion

Vacant

1
Kazakhstan flag
Janibek Alimkhanuly photo
-
Alimkhanuly
2
United Kingdom flag
Hamzah Sheeraz photo
-
Sheeraz
3
Dominican Republic flag
Carlos Adames photo
-
Adames
4
Cuba flag
Erislandy Lara photo
-
Lara
5
United Kingdom flag
Chris Eubank Jr photo
-
Eubank Jr
6
Kazakhstan flag
Meiirim Nursultanov photo
-
Nursultanov

20-0-0

7
Italy flag
Etinosa Oliha photo
-
Oliha

21-0-0

8
United States flag
Kyrone Davis photo
-
Davis

19-3-1

9
United States flag
Troy Isley photo
-
Isley
10
United States flag
Shane Mosley Jr photo
-
Mosley Jr

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT

Updated: 19 Oct, 2024

Placeholder fighter photo

The Ring Junior Middleweight Champion

Vacant

1
United States flag
Terence Crawford photo
-
Crawford
2
Uzbekistan flag
Israil Madrimov photo
-
Madrimov
3
Russian Federation flag
Bakhram Murtazaliev photo
7
Murtazaliev
4
United States flag
Sebastian Fundora photo
1
Fundora
5
United States flag
Vergil Ortiz Jr photo
1
Ortiz Jr
6
Ukraine flag
Serhii Bohachuk photo
-
Bohachuk
7
Australia flag
Tim Tszyu photo
2
Tszyu
8
United States flag
Jesus Ramos photo
1
Ramos
9
United States flag
Charles Conwell photo
1
Conwell
10
United States flag
Brian Mendoza photo
1
Mendoza

WELTERWEIGHT

Updated: 19 Oct, 2024

Placeholder fighter photo

The Ring Welterweight Champion

Vacant

1
United States flag
Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis photo
-
Ennis
2
Lithuania flag
Eimantas Stanionis photo
-
Stanionis
3
United States flag
Mario Barrios photo
-
Barrios
4
Russian Federation flag
David Avanesyan photo
-
Avanesyan
5
United States flag
Brian Norman Jr photo
-
Norman Jr
6
United States flag
Giovani Santillan photo
-
Santillan
7
Uzbekistan flag
Shakhram Giyasov photo
-
Giyasov
8
United States flag
Alexis Rocha photo
-
Rocha
9
Japan flag
Jin Sasaki photo
-
Sasaki

18-1-1

10
Mexico flag
Raul Curiel photo
-
Curiel

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT

Updated: 19 Oct, 2024

United States flag
Teofimo Lopez photo

The Ring Junior Welterweight Champion

Teofimo
Lopez

21-1-0

Stats icon
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Next Scheduled Defence
TBA
Last defence
Canada flag Claggett (38-7-2) UD 12 29-Jun-2024
Time inactive
147 days - (4 months & 24 days)
Won against
United Kingdom flag Taylor (19-0-0) UD 12 10-Jun-2023
Time held
532 days - (1 year & 5 months)
Total defences
2
Jun 29 2024
UD 12 Canada flag Claggett (38-7-2)
Feb 08 2024
UD 12 United States flag Ortiz (17-1-1)
Activity average
Every 266 days - (8 months & 21 days)
Mandatory challenger
TBC
Last mandatory
None Called Yet
Since a mandatory
532 days - (1 year & 5 months)
1
United States flag
Devin Haney photo
-
Haney
2
United States flag
Jose Carlos Ramirez photo
-
Ramirez
3
Australia flag
Liam Paro photo
-
Paro
4
United Kingdom flag
Jack Catterall photo
-
Catterall
5
Dominican Republic flag
Alberto Puello photo
-
Puello
6
Puerto Rico flag
Subriel Matias photo
-
Matias
7
United Kingdom flag
Josh Taylor photo
-
Taylor
8
United States flag
Regis Prograis photo
-
Prograis
9
Japan flag
Andy Hiraoka photo
-
Hiraoka

24-0-0

10
United States flag
Richardson Hitchins photo
-
Hitchins

LIGHTWEIGHT

Updated: 19 Oct, 2024

Placeholder fighter photo

The Ring Lightweight Champion

Vacant

1
United States flag
Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis photo
-
Davis
2
Ukraine flag
Vasyl Lomachenko photo
-
Lomachenko
3
Mexico flag
William Zepeda photo
-
Zepeda
4
United States flag
Shakur Stevenson photo
-
Stevenson
5
Ukraine flag
Denys Berinchyk photo
-
Berinchyk
6
United States flag
Raymond Muratalla photo
-
Muratalla
7
United States flag
Keyshawn Davis photo
-
Davis
8
United States flag
Frank Martin photo
-
Martin
9
Cuba flag
Andy Cruz photo
-
Cruz
10
United Kingdom flag
Sam Noakes photo
-
Noakes

JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT

Updated: 19 Oct, 2024

Placeholder fighter photo

The Ring Junior Lightweight Champion

Vacant

1
Mexico flag
Emanuel Navarrete photo
-
Navarrete
2
United States flag
O’Shaquie Foster photo
-
Foster
3
Mexico flag
Oscar Valdez photo
-
Valdez
4
United Kingdom flag
Anthony Cacace photo
-
Cacace
5
United States flag
Lamont Roach photo
-
Roach
6
United Kingdom flag
Joe Cordina photo
-
Cordina
7
Dominican Republic flag
Hector Luis Garcia photo
-
Garcia
8
Brazil flag
Robson Conceicao photo
-
Conceicao
9
Mexico flag
Eduardo Nunez photo
-
Nunez
10
Russian Federation flag
Albert Batyrgaziev photo
-
Batyrgaziev

FEATHERWEIGHT

Updated: 19 Oct, 2024

Placeholder fighter photo

The Ring Featherweight Champion

Vacant

1
United States flag
Angelo Leo photo
1
Leo
2
United Kingdom flag
Nick Ball photo
1
Ball
3
Mexico flag
Rey Vargas photo
1
Vargas
4
Mexico flag
Luis Alberto Lopez photo
1
Lopez
5
Mexico flag
Rafael Espinoza photo
1
Espinoza
6
United States flag
Brandon Figueroa photo
1
Figueroa
7
United States flag
Raymond Ford photo
1
Ford
8
Cuba flag
Robeisy Ramirez photo
1
Ramirez
9
Argentina flag
Mirco Cuello photo
1
Cuello

14-0-0

10
United States flag
Bruce Carrington photo
Carrington

Dropped Out This Month

JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT

Updated: 19 Oct, 2024

Japan flag
Naoya Inoue photo

The Ring Junior Featherweight Champion

Naoya
Inoue

28-0-0

Stats icon
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Next Scheduled Defence
Australia flag Goodman (19-0-0) 24-Dec-2024
Last defence
Mexico flag Nery (35-1-0) KO 6 06-May-2024
Time inactive
201 days - (6 months & 17 days)
Won against
Philippines flag Tapales (37-3-0) KO 10 26-Dec-2023
Time held
333 days - (10 months & 28 days)
Total defences
1
May 06 2024
KO 6 Mexico flag Nery (35-1-0)
Activity average
Every 333 days - (10 months & 28 days)
Mandatory challenger
TBC
Last mandatory
None Called Yet
Since a mandatory
333 days - (10 months & 28 days)
1
Philippines flag
Marlon Tapales photo
-
Tapales
2
Uzbekistan flag
Murodjon Akhmadaliev photo
-
Akhmadaliev
3
Australia flag
Sam Goodman photo
-
Goodman
4
Mexico flag
Luis Nery photo
-
Nery
5
United Kingdom flag
Liam Davies photo
-
Davies
6
Mexico flag
David Picasso photo
-
Picasso
7
Ireland flag
TJ Doheny photo
-
Doheny
8
United States flag
Elijah Pierce photo
-
Pierce

20-2-0

9
United States flag
Ramon Cardenas photo
-
Cardenas

25-1-0

10
United Kingdom flag
Dennis McCann photo
-
McCann

BANTAMWEIGHT

Updated: 19 Oct, 2024

Placeholder fighter photo

The Ring Bantamweight Champion

Vacant

1
Japan flag
Junto Nakatani photo
-
Nakatani
2
Japan flag
Ryosuke Nishida photo
-
Nishida
3
Japan flag
Seiya Tsutsumi photo
-
Tsutsumi
4
Japan flag
Yoshiki Takei photo
-
Takei
5
Japan flag
Takuma Inoue photo
-
Inoue
6
Puerto Rico flag
Emmanuel Rodriguez photo
-
Rodriguez
7
Australia flag
Jason Moloney photo
-
Moloney
8
Mexico flag
Alejandro Santiago photo
-
Santiago
9
Mexico flag
David Cuellar Contreras photo
-
Contreras
10
Japan flag
Daigo Higa photo
-
Higa

JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHT

Updated: 19 Oct, 2024

United States flag
Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez photo

The Ring Junior Bantamweight Champion

Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez

21-0-0

Stats icon
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Next Scheduled Defence
TBA
Last defence
Not Defended Yet
Time inactive
147 days - (4 months & 24 days)
Won against
Mexico flag Estrada (44-3-0) KO 7 29-Jun-2024
Time held
147 days - (4 months & 24 days)
Total defences
0
Activity average
N/A
Mandatory challenger
TBC
Last mandatory
None Called Yet
Since a mandatory
147 days - (4 months & 24 days)
1
Argentina flag
Fernando Martinez photo
-
Martinez
2
Mexico flag
Juan Francisco Estrada photo
-
Estrada
3
Japan flag
Kazuto Ioka photo
-
Ioka
4
South Africa flag
Phumelele Cafu photo
-
Cafu
5
Japan flag
Kosei Tanaka photo
-
Tanaka
6
Mexico flag
Carlos Cuadras photo
-
Cuadras
7
Mexico flag
Pedro Guevara photo
-
Guevara
8
Australia flag
Andrew Moloney photo
-
Moloney
9
Thailand flag
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai photo
-
Rungvisai
10
Costa Rica flag
David Jimenez photo
-
Jimenez

FLYWEIGHT

Updated: 19 Oct, 2024

Placeholder fighter photo

The Ring Flyweight Champion

Vacant

1
United Kingdom flag
Sunny Edwards photo
-
Edwards
2
Mexico flag
Angel Ayala Lardizabal photo
-
Lardizabal
3
Japan flag
Kenshiro Teraji photo
-
Teraji
4
Japan flag
Seigo Yuri Akui photo
-
Akui
5
Azerbaijan flag
Artem Dalakian photo
-
Dalakian
6
United States flag
Ricardo Rafael Sandoval photo
-
Sandoval
7
Nicaragua flag
Felix Alvarado photo
-
Alvarado
8
United States flag
Anthony Olascuaga photo
-
Olascuaga
9
United Kingdom flag
Galal Yafai photo
-
Yafai
10
Mexico flag
Francisco Rodriguez Jr photo
-
Rodriguez Jr

39-6-1

JR FLYWEIGHT

Updated: 19 Oct, 2024

Japan flag
Kenshiro Teraji photo

The Ring Junior Flyweight Champion

Kenshiro
Teraji

24-1-0

Stats icon
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Next Scheduled Defence
TBA
Last defence
Venezuela flag Canizales (26-1-1) MD 12 23-Jan-2024
Time inactive
305 days - (10 months)
Won against
Japan flag Kyoguchi (16-0-0) TKO 7 01-Nov-2022
Time held
753 days - (2 years)
Total defences
2
Jan 23 2024
MD 12 Venezuela flag Canizales (26-1-1)
Sep 18 2023
TKO 9 South Africa flag Budler (35-4-0)
Activity average
Every 377 days - (1 year & 11 days)
Mandatory challenger
TBC
Last mandatory
None Called Yet
Since a mandatory
753 days - (2 years)
1
Japan flag
Masamichi Yabuki photo
-
Yabuki
2
Japan flag
Shokichi Iwata photo
-
Iwata
3
South Africa flag
Sivenathi Nontshinga photo
-
Nontshinga
4
Mexico flag
Adrian Curiel photo
-
Curiel
5
Mexico flag
Elwin Soto photo
-
Soto
6
Venezuela flag
Carlos Canizales photo
-
Canizales
7
Philippines flag
Christian Araneta photo
-
Araneta

24-2-0

8
Thailand flag
Thanongsak Simsri photo
-
Simsri

36-1-0

9
Philippines flag
Regie Suganob photo
-
Suganob

15-1-0

10
Dominican Republic flag
Erick Rosa photo
-
Rosa

STRAWWEIGHT

Updated: 19 Oct, 2024

United States flag
Oscar Collazo photo

The Ring Strawweight Champion

Oscar
Collazo

11-0-0

Stats icon
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Next Scheduled Defence
TBA
Last defence
Not Defended Yet
Time inactive
7 days - (7 days)
Won against
Thailand flag Niyomtrong (25-0-0) KO 7 16-Nov-2024
Time held
7 days - (7 days)
Total defences
0
Activity average
N/A
Mandatory challenger
TBC
Last mandatory
None Called Yet
Since a mandatory
7 days - (7 days)
1
United States flag
Oscar Collazo photo
-
Collazo
2
Thailand flag
Thammanoon Niyomtrong photo
-
Niyomtrong
3
Philippines flag
Melvin Jerusalem photo
-
Jerusalem
4
Philippines flag
Pedro Taduran photo
-
Taduran
5
Japan flag
Yudai Shigeoka photo
-
Shigeoka
6
Japan flag
Ginjiro Shigeoka photo
-
Shigeoka
7
Thailand flag
Panya Pradabsri photo
-
Pradabsri
8
Puerto Rico flag
Wilfredo Mendez photo
-
Mendez
9
Uzbekistan flag
Hasanboy Dusmatov photo
-
Dusmatov

6-0-0

10
China flag
DianXing Zhu photo
-
Zhu

14-1-0

The Ring Magazine Profile

History

The Ring Magazine is an American boxing magazine considered to be the longest-lasting boxing publication in the world. Founded in 1922 by American boxing writer and collector Nathaniel Fleischer and his partners, The Ring has almost uninterruptedly published its magazine and ratings up until today. It remains one of the more reputable entities in boxing.

The first issue was published on 15th February 1922, counting 24 pages and costing 20 cents at that time, close to $3 adjusted for inflation.
Fleischer served as a publisher and editor of the magazine until his death in 1972. The managing editor at that time, Nat Loubet, succeeded Fleischer. Loubet would then have a 7-year tenure as publisher, notable for his initiative to expand The Ring internationally, with versions of the magazine published in Spanish, French, and Japanese.

Following Loubet's departure, boxing writer and historian Bert Sugar took over as editor-in-chief for the next six years. By 1989, The Ring had neared bankruptcy and ceased publication for almost a year, until getting back to its feet in 1990 under new ownership and management.

It was a former employee, Stanley Weston, who would end up saving the same magazine, 52 years after having worked there as a stock boy when he was just 13 years old. Not only that, but he was also considered responsible for re-establishing the magazine as the leading boxing publication in the world.

Weston would also work at the magazine as an artist, having painted 57 covers for The Ring. His first cover was a painting of light-heavyweight champion Billy Dunn for the December 1939 issue. Over the years, The Ring cover has featured some of the best boxers ever to live, including: Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Rocky Marciano, Muhammad Ali, Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Roy Jones Jr., Julio Cesar Chavez, Manny Pacquiao, and Oscar De La Hoya.

In 1977, female boxer Cathy Davis became the first female to appear on the cover of The Ring.

After Sugar's departure, the editor-in-chief would change every couple of yours, with the current being Douglass Fischer. The Ring's headquarters were located in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, until 2011, when it relocated to Los Angeles.

The Ring has changed ownership five times during its existence. The magazine changed hands between founder Nat Fleischer, Dave DeBusschere and Nick Kladis, Stanley Weston and Nick Karabots. Since September 2007, it has been owned by Hall of Fame boxer Oscar de la Hoya's Golden Boy enterprises.

The Ring Championship

The Ring magazine has awarded its championship in multiple weight-classes since 1922. The first boxer to ever be awarded the honor was famed heavyweight Jack Dempsey and the second was flyweight sensation Pancho Villa.

After Steve Farhood took over duties as editor-in-chief in the 1990s, The Ring stopped awarding its championship. At the essence of The Ring belt is that fighters are not required to pay sanctioning fees for their participation in title fights, against the practice of all other sanctioning bodies.

The magazine would reintroduce their belt in April 2002 with a new strict championship policy. Their goal was to clarify who is the one true champion in a given weight division among all the existing belts from other organizations. Light heavyweight Roy Jones Jr would be the first boxer to be awarded the championship since its restoration.

Under this policy, a fighter could get a hold of the belt in just two ways:

  • by beating a current Ring champion
  • or if the title is vacant, it could only be won in a contest between The Ring's number one and two ranked fighters in that weight-division.

A fighter could lose his belt in three ways:

  • in the ring
  • by moving to a different weight-division
  • retiring

Consistently having numerous title vacancies throughout the years prompted a new, less strict championship policy introduced in May 2012. According to their official website, a championship vacancy can be filled in either of the following ways:

  • The Ring's number 1 and number 2 contenders fight each other
  • The Ring's number 1 or number 2 contender fights any of the contenders ranked 3, 4 or 5, if the editorial board deems the contenders in question worthy

There are now seven scenarios through which a fighter could also be stripped of his Ring belt:

  • losing a fight
  • moving to another weight-division (for at least two fights)
  • not scheduling a fight in any division for 18 months
  • not scheduling a fight in his division for 18 months
  • not planning a fight against a top-5 contender in any weight-division for two years
  • retiring
  • testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance and being suspended or penalized by a relevant athletic commission or sanctioning body

HOW THE RING RANKINGS WORK

The first boxing rankings ever were published by The Ring in its February issue in 1925. Nat Fleischer introduced the idea of ranking boxers after being inspired by Walter Camp’s annual All-America football team, given annually to the best college players at their respective positions.

The Ring’s official ratings policy pays attention to the following:

  • fighter’s results
  • fighter’s performance, in a victory or defeat
  • fighter’s recent fight record and quality of opposition

The ratings are compiled by a three-member editorial board, with the help of The Ring’s rating panel of international boxing journalists. According to Fischer, the committee meets every Sunday and reflects on the boxing action happening during the week. Then the editorial board reviews all suggestions and has the final verdict on the rankings, with Fischer stating that about 90% of the time, the decision is the same as the majority of the panel.

Some critics have raised questions on the independence of the ratings given that current owner Oscar De La Hoya is still very much involved in the sport, managing and promoting numerous fighters through his own Golden Boy Promotions. Editor-in-chief Doug Fischer has refuted those claims, stating that the panel is in good hands, with 15-20 boxing journalists from around the world working independently and carefully following all contenders and prospects close to cracking into their rankings.

The Ring tries to offer a more simplified and unambiguous view of which fighters in the sport can be considered the best. Their ratings are recognized as official by various US media outlets, most notably ESPN, and now Box.Live!

Current RING World Champions

The Ring Heavyweight Champion
Ukraine flag Oleksandr Usyk (22-0-0)
The Ring Cruiserweight Champion
Australia flag Jai Opetaia (26-0-0)
The Ring Light Heavyweight Champion
Russian Federation flag Artur Beterbiev (21-0-0)
The Ring Super Middleweight Champion
Mexico flag Canelo Alvarez (62-2-2)
The Ring Middleweight Champion
Vacant
The Ring Junior Middleweight Champion
Vacant
The Ring Welterweight Champion
Vacant
The Ring Junior Welterweight Champion
United States flag Teofimo Lopez (21-1-0)
The Ring Lightweight Champion
Vacant
The Ring Junior Lightweight Champion
Vacant
The Ring Featherweight Champion
Vacant
The Ring Junior Featherweight Champion
Japan flag Naoya Inoue (28-0-0)
The Ring Bantamweight Champion
Vacant
The Ring Junior Bantamweight Champion
United States flag Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (21-0-0)
The Ring Flyweight Champion
Vacant
The Ring Junior Flyweight Champion
Japan flag Kenshiro Teraji (24-1-0)
The Ring Strawweight Champion
United States flag Oscar Collazo (11-0-0)

Current RING Rankings

RING HEAVYWEIGHT
Belt icon

Ukraine flag Oleksandr Usyk (22-0-0)

The Ring Heavyweight Champion

  1. (34-1-1) -
  2. (22-2-0) -
  3. (35-3-0) -
  4. (27-2-1) -
  5. (25-0-0) -
  6. (21-1-0) -
  7. (28-4-0) -
  8. (17-1-0) -
  9. (18-0-1) -
  10. (20-1-0) -
RING CRUISERWEIGHT
Belt icon

Australia flag Jai Opetaia (26-0-0)

The Ring Cruiserweight Champion

  1. (20-2-0) -
  2. (27-2-0) -
  3. (47-1-0) -
  4. (18-1-0) -
  5. (17-1-0) -
  6. (27-1-0) -
  7. (26-2-0) -
  8. (20-1-0) -
  9. Argentina flag Yamil Alberto Peralta
    (17-1-0) -
  10. (10-0-0) -
RING LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Belt icon

Russian Federation flag Artur Beterbiev (21-0-0)

The Ring Light Heavyweight Champion

  1. (23-1-0) -
  2. (29-0-0) -
  3. (19-0-0) -
  4. (26-3-0) -
  5. (19-0-0) -
  6. (29-2-0) -
  7. (20-2-0) -
  8. (11-0-0) -
  9. (18-2-0) -
  10. Russian Federation flag Ali Izmailov
    (12-0-0) -
RING SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT
Belt icon

Mexico flag Canelo Alvarez (62-2-2)

The Ring Super Middleweight Champion

  1. (44-1-0) -
  2. (28-0-0) -
  3. (12-0-0) -
  4. (22-0-0) -
  5. (23-2-0) -
  6. (23-0-0)
  7. (16-1-0) 1
  8. (22-1-0) 1
  9. (32-1-1) 1
  10. Guatemala flag Lester Martinez
    (18-0-0) 1
Dropped Out This Month
RING MIDDLEWEIGHT
Belt icon

Vacant

The Ring Middleweight Champion

  1. (16-0-0) -
  2. (21-0-0) -
  3. (24-1-0) -
  4. (31-3-3) -
  5. (34-3-0) -
  6. Kazakhstan flag Meiirim Nursultanov
    (20-0-0) -
  7. Italy flag Etinosa Oliha
    (21-0-0) -
  8. United States flag Kyrone Davis
    (19-3-1) -
  9. (14-0-0) -
  10. (22-4-0) -
RING JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT
Belt icon

Vacant

The Ring Junior Middleweight Champion

RING WELTERWEIGHT
Belt icon

Vacant

The Ring Welterweight Champion

  1. (33-0-0) -
  2. (15-0-0) -
  3. (29-2-1) -
  4. (30-5-1) -
  5. (26-0-0) -
  6. (32-1-0) -
  7. (16-0-0) -
  8. (25-2-0) -
  9. Japan flag Jin Sasaki
    (18-1-1) -
  10. (15-0-0) -
RING JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT
Belt icon

United States flag Teofimo Lopez (21-1-0)

The Ring Junior Welterweight Champion

  1. (31-0-0) -
  2. (29-2-0) -
  3. (25-0-0) -
  4. (30-1-0) -
  5. (23-0-0) -
  6. (21-2-0) -
  7. (19-2-0) -
  8. (29-3-0) -
  9. Japan flag Andy Hiraoka
    (24-0-0) -
  10. (18-0-0) -
RING LIGHTWEIGHT
Belt icon

Vacant

The Ring Lightweight Champion

RING JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT
Belt icon

Vacant

The Ring Junior Lightweight Champion

RING FEATHERWEIGHT
Belt icon

Vacant

The Ring Featherweight Champion

  1. (25-1-0) 1
  2. (21-0-1) 1
  3. (36-1-1) 1
  4. (30-3-0) 1
  5. (25-0-0) 1
  6. (25-1-1) 1
  7. (16-1-1) 1
  8. (14-2-0) 1
  9. Argentina flag Mirco Cuello
    (14-0-0) 1
  10. (14-0-0)
Dropped Out This Month
RING JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT
Belt icon

Japan flag Naoya Inoue (28-0-0)

The Ring Junior Featherweight Champion

  1. (39-4-0) -
  2. (12-1-0) -
  3. (19-0-0) -
  4. (35-2-0) -
  5. (16-1-0) -
  6. (29-0-1) -
  7. (26-5-0) -
  8. United States flag Elijah Pierce
    (20-2-0) -
  9. United States flag Ramon Cardenas
    (25-1-0) -
  10. (16-0-1) -
RING BANTAMWEIGHT
Belt icon

Vacant

The Ring Bantamweight Champion

RING JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHT
Belt icon

United States flag Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (21-0-0)

The Ring Junior Bantamweight Champion

RING FLYWEIGHT
Belt icon

Vacant

The Ring Flyweight Champion

  1. (21-1-0) -
  2. (18-0-0) -
  3. (24-1-0) -
  4. (21-2-1) -
  5. (22-1-0) -
  6. (25-2-0) -
  7. (41-4-0) -
  8. (7-1-0) -
  9. (8-0-0) -
  10. Mexico flag Francisco Rodriguez Jr
    (39-6-1) -
RING JR FLYWEIGHT
Belt icon

Japan flag Kenshiro Teraji (24-1-0)

The Ring Junior Flyweight Champion

  1. (17-4-0) -
  2. (14-1-0) -
  3. (13-2-0) -
  4. (24-6-1) -
  5. (21-3-0) -
  6. (27-2-1) -
  7. Philippines flag Christian Araneta
    (24-2-0) -
  8. Thailand flag Thanongsak Simsri
    (36-1-0) -
  9. Philippines flag Regie Suganob
    (15-1-0) -
  10. (7-0-0) -
RING STRAWWEIGHT
Belt icon

United States flag Oscar Collazo (11-0-0)

The Ring Strawweight Champion

  1. (11-0-0) -
  2. (25-1-0) -
  3. (23-3-0) -
  4. (17-4-1) -
  5. (9-1-0) -
  6. (11-1-0) -
  7. (43-2-0) -
  8. (19-3-1) -
  9. Uzbekistan flag Hasanboy Dusmatov
    (6-0-0) -
  10. China flag DianXing Zhu
    (14-1-0) -

Discuss

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