The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2023: Junior bantamweight

The Ring first launched its divisional scores in 1925. Nearly a century later, it’s no exaggeration to assert that these impartial rankings are essentially the most revered and talked-about in world boxing.

The Ring Rankings Panel is made up of a dozen consultants from around the globe. Opinions are shared, debate takes place, and the ultimate resolution on who must be ranked the place is determined democratically each week. It sounds simple, however this may be an arduous and time-consuming course of.

In the course of the pandemic, we reviewed and broke down every division in full. In a two-pronged strategy, we regarded again on the respective achievements of the best fighters on the planet and analyzed what lay forward.

Final yr, we regarded again on how every division was doing and have determined after a busy first half of 2023 to compile one other divisional breakdown.

Subsequent up is the expertise wealthy junior bantamweight, which has an attention-grabbing mixture of future corridor of famers, prime contenders and rising stars. As at all times, please benefit from the debate and respect different folks’s opinions.

CHAMPION JUAN FRANCISCO ESTRADA

RECORD: 44-3 (28 KOs)

THE PAST: Got here of age in a dropping effort to former pound-for-pound king Roman Gonzalez (UD 12) in November 2012. Rebounded to win WBA and WBO 112-pound titles on the expense of Brian Viloria (SD 12). After making 5 defenses, Estrada abdicated his throne for a transfer as much as junior bantamweight. After dropping to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (MD 12), he outboxed the big-punching Thai to assert Ring and WBC junior bantamweight titles within the rematch. He made three defenses, edging previous rival Gonzalez (SD 12) who held the WBA title, in a traditional. “El Gallo” had his WBA and WBC titles taken when he spent 18-months on the sidelines. When he returned he was given a more durable than anticipated time in opposition to Argi Cortes (UD 12). Nonetheless, the 33-year-old returned to kind boxing to an early lead and holding off Gonzalez (UD 12) to select up the vacant WBC title of their trilogy battle.

THE FUTURE: Apparently there have been discussions about him dealing with WBA counterpart Kazuto Ioka.

No. 1 KAZUTO IOKA

RECORD: 30-2-1 (15 KOs)

THE PAST: After claiming titles at strawweight and junior flyweight, Ioka misplaced for the primary time to IBF flyweight titleholder Amnat Ruenroeng (SD 12). Unperturbed, the Japanese star rebounded to finest Juan Carlos Raveco (MD 12) to win the WBA belt in that division. He made 5 defenses, together with a rematch victory over Raveco (TKO 11), then shockingly retired from the game in 2017. Nonetheless, following a 17-month layoff, Ioka returned at junior bantamweight in the hunt for extra glory. Misplaced a WBO title bout to Donnie Nietes (SD 12) however stopped Aston Palicte (TKO 10) for the exact same belt after Nietes vacated. The four-weight world titleholder made six profitable defenses, notably stopped Kosei Tanaka (TKO 8) earlier than dominating Nietes (UD 12) in a rematch. Regarded to unify with WBA titlist Joshua Franco however needed to accept a draw. Ioka, 34, determined to vacate his title as an alternative of dealing with his necessary to pursue a rematch with Franco and impressively gained a 12-round unanimous resolution.

THE FUTURE: Hopes to face Ring and WBC titlist Estrada.

No. 2 ROMAN GONZALEZ

RECORD: 51-4 (41 KOs)

THE PAST: The legendary Gonzalez annexed titles at strawweight, junior flyweight and flyweight earlier than transferring north as soon as extra. In 2016, “Chocolatito” dared to be nice when he stepped as much as junior bantamweight in a bid to surpass his idol and mentor, the late-great Alexis Arguello, by changing into a four-weight world champion. Gonzalez edged the larger Carlos Cuadras (UD 12) to assert the WBC title. He put two losses to Srisaket behind him when he rolled again the years to assert the WBA title with a ninth-round stoppage of Kal Yafai. Gonzalez made one protection earlier than dropping controversially to Estrada (SD 12) of their rematch. Bounced again with an incredible win over reigning WBC 112-pound titlist Julio Cesar Martinez (UD 12) in a catchweight bout. Misplaced the rubber match with Estrada (UD 12) final outing.

THE FUTURE: Nothing been talked about, however at 36 just a few fights left and is probably going assessing his choices.

No. 3 JUNTO NAKATANI

RECORD: 25-0 (19 KOs)

THE PAST: The heavy-handed boxer-puncher ran by way of his early opposition and holds wins over future junior flyweight titleholder Masamichi Yabuki (UD 4), flyweight contender Seigo Yuri Akui (TKO 6) and handed the litmus take a look at of former 108-pound titleholder Milan Melindo (TKO 6). Covid stymied the tall 25-year-old’s progress and he needed to wait 13-months to win the vacant WBO title in opposition to Giemel Magramo (TKO 8). He made two defenses, together with his American debut, when he stopped former titleholder Angel Acosta (TKO 4) and on the undercard of Gennadiy Golovkin-Ryota Murata, he was equally spectacular bludgeoning Ryota Yamauchi (TKO 8). Moved as much as 115-pounds and beat robust Mexican Francisco Rodriguez Jr. (UD 10) earlier than capturing the vacant WBO title with a spotlight reel knockout over Andrew Moloney (KO 11).

THE FUTURE: Will defend his title for the primary time in opposition to robust Mexican Argi Cortes in Tokyo on September 18.

IBF junior bantamweight champ Fernando Martinez (proper) works the mitts with coach Rodrigo Calabrese (left) underneath the gaze of his present promoter Marcos Maidana (heart, background) – Picture by Diego Morilla

No. 4 FERNANDO MARTINEZ

RECORD: 16-0 (9 KOs)

THE PAST: Martinez was a standout novice and represented his house nation of Argentina all around the world. Martinez appeared within the World Sequence of Boxing and the 2016 Olympics earlier than turning skilled in 2017. Gained his first 9 fights, all in Argentina, earlier than venturing to South Africa to cease Athenkosi Dumezweni (TKO 11). The 32-year-old was largely unknown till he upset Jerwin Ancajas (UD 12) to win the IBF title and repeated the trick in his first protection. Adopted that with a late stoppage over one other Filipino Jade Bornea (TKO 11).

THE FUTURE: Freed from rematch and necessary obligations can now look to unify, although might must make an non-obligatory protection earlier than the celebrities can align.

No. 5 JOSHUA FRANCO

RECORD: 18-2-3 (8 KOs)

THE PAST: Franco was extremely regarded earlier than being upset by Lucas Emanuel Fernandez Leone (TKO 9). Has turn out to be extra battle-hardened, sharing 30 grueling rounds with Oscar Negrete (D 10, SD 10 and D 10). That have served the 27-year-old Texan nicely when he beat Andrew Moloney two out of thrice (UD 12/ ND 2/ UD 12). As WBA ‘common’ titleholder, he waited patiently to face Estrada, however, when that didn’t occur, the WBA stripped the Mexican and promoted Franco to full world titleholder. Engaged in a two battle collection with Ioka (D 12/ L UD). Badly lacking weight within the second battle and promptly retired throwing his profession into doubt.

THE FUTURE: Has stated he’s retired, being given a short lived keep of absense earlier than being faraway from the rankings.

No. 6 KOSEI TANAKA

RECORD: 19-1 (11 KOs)

THE PAST: Tanaka gained the WBO strawweight title from Julian Yedras (UD 12) in his fifth battle and made one protection. He then moved as much as junior flyweight and gained the vacant WBO title and made two defenses. The Japanese star outgrew that division and edged Sho Kimura (MD 12) to win the WBO flyweight title. He made three defenses of that one, notably outboxing former unified junior flyweight titleholder Ryoichi Taguchi (UD 12) and stopping present WBO 108-pound titlist Jonathan Gonzalez (TKO 7). The now 28-year-old jumped to 115 kilos however was brutally stopped by Ioka (TKO 8). The three-weight world champion has regained his confidence with 4 wins.

THE FUTURE: Prone to return within the fall whether or not that’s a marking time battle or a title battle stays to be seen.

No. 7 SRISAKET SOR RUNGVISAI

RECORD: 52-6-1 (44 KOs)

THE PAST: Unseated WBC junior bantamweight titleholder Yota Sato (TKO 8) in Could 2013 however misplaced it to Carlos Cuadras (TD 8) after one protection. Reeled off 15 consecutive wins to earn a shot at his previous title in opposition to then-pound-for-pound No. 1 Roman Gonzalez. Srisaket upset big odds to win a controversial majority resolution however left little doubt within the rematch, which he gained through brutal fourth-round knockout. Went 1-1 with the aforementioned Estrada. Stayed within the title image with three wins whereas awaiting the rubber match, however settled on dealing with rising star Jesse Rodriguez for his previous title and was stopped in eight rounds. The 36-year-old might have seen higher days however has gained two fights since coming again.

THE FUTURE: Staying busy combating on August 26, whereas he waits for some motion within the WBC rankings.

Sor Rungvisai (proper) tags Estrada of their first battle. Picture: Twitter @HBOboxing

No. 8 FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ JR.

RECORD: 37-6-1 (25 KOs)

THE PAST: Headed to Nicaragua and misplaced to nationwide hero Roman Gonzalez (TKO 7) early in his profession. Dropped to strawweight and knocked out Merlito Sabillo (TKO 10) to turn out to be WBO titleholder on the age of 20 earlier than including the IBF belt in a unification with Katsunari Takayama (UD 12). In 2015, he moved as much as junior flyweight and misplaced back-to-back selections to Donnie Nietes (UD 12) and Moises Fuentes (SD 12). “Chihuas” moved up in weight as soon as extra and went on a 15-fight win streak to earn a shot at WBO titleholder Ioka (L UD 12). After two wins again in Mexico, the 31-year-old headed again to Japan the place he misplaced to Nakatani (UD 10).

THE FUTURE: Has fought between 115-112-pounds, wherever the very best alternative presents itself. Nonetheless, a excessive WBC rating at flyweight counsel he’d wish to problem Martinez if he can.

No. 9 DAVID CUELLAR

RECORD: 25-0 (17 KOs)

THE PAST: Cuellar began boxing at 5 and loved a great novice profession earlier than he turned skilled in 2017. Since then he has fought completely in Mexico. The 21-year-old has wins over beforehand unbeaten Karim Arce (KO 9) and former world titleholder Moises Fuentes (KO 6), who later tragically misplaced his life from accidents suffered within the battle. “El Common” is ranked within the prime 15 by all 4 sanctioning our bodies and is nicely regarded in Mexican circles. Stayed busy in opposition to a third-round stoppage over Marlon Rios on Friday.

THE FUTURE: Prone to return within the fall and is able to step up. Match ups with the likes of battle-tested countrymen Israel Gonzalez or Jonathan Rodriguez would characterize that and present how good he could be.

No. 10  ANDREW MOLONEY

RECORD: 25-3 (16 KOs)

THE PAST: Moloney was a seasoned novice and gained gold on the 2014 Commonwealth video games. Has scored stable wins over Luis Concepcion (TKO 10), Miguel Gonzalez (TKO 8) and Elton Dharry (RTD 8). The Australian got here up brief in a 3 battle collection with then WBA titlist Franco (UD 12/ ND 2/ UD 12). 4 wins noticed him nicely positioned to face Nakatani for the vacant WBO title however was knocked out in 11-rounds.

THE FUTURE: Needs to make one other title run and hopes to return later this yr.

On the Cusp: Argi Cortes, Carlos Cuadras, Israel Gonzalez, Pedro Guevara and Jonathan Rodriguez

YOU MAY HAVE MISSED:

The Ring Ratings Reviewed: Pound for Pound – The Ring (ringtv.com)

https://www.ringtv.com/657260-the-ring-ratings-reviewed-strawweight/

The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2023: Junior flyweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)

The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2023: Flyweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)

Questions and/or feedback will be despatched to Anson at [email protected].

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