The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2024: Junior lightweight

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

The Ring Scores Panel is made up of a dozen specialists from around the globe. Opinions are shared, debate takes place, and the ultimate choice on who needs to be rated is determined democratically each week. It sounds simple, however this may be an arduous and time-consuming course of.

I might be going by way of every division in reverse order and work my manner up from strawweight to heavyweight. I’ll take a look at every rated fighter’s respective achievements and gaze into my crystal ball to see what might lay forward.

Subsequent up is junior featherweight (130 kilos), which is a division that has a number of wonderful fighters however that can achieve added depth with the approaching arrival of quite a lot of featherweights within the close to future.

As at all times, please benefit from the debate and respect different individuals’s opinions.

No. 1 – EMANUEL NAVARRETE 

RECORD: 38-2-1 (31 KOs)

THE PAST: Navarrete burst onto the scene to say the WBO junior featherweight title on the expense of Isaac Dogboe (UD 12) in December 2018. The heavy-handed Mexican stopped Dogboe (TKO 12) within the first of 5 defenses earlier than shifting up in weight. The 29-year-old bested beforehand unbeaten Ruben Villa (UD 12) to say the WBO title and went on to make three defenses, notably topping Joet Gonzalez (UD 12) earlier than shifting up in weight once more. He bought off the canvas to cease Liam Wilson (TKO 9) to say the vacant WBO junior light-weight title after which defended it agains Oscar Valdez (UD 12) and Robson Conceicao in a draw (D 12). He jumped to light-weight in an try to win the vacant WBO title however was overwhelmed by Ivan Baranchyk (SD 12).

THE FUTURE: Tabbed to rematch Valdez on December 7.

No. 2 – O’SHAQUIE FOSTER

RECORD: 22-3 (12 KOs)

THE PAST: Foster misplaced twice early in his profession at light-weight in opposition to Samuel Teah (UD 8) and Rolando Chinea (SD 8). Nevertheless, the 30-year-old Houston native discovered his stride at 130 and is unbeaten in 10 fights over the previous seven years. Throughout that interval, Foster ruined the unbeaten file of Jon Fernandez (UD 10), stopped grizzled former world title challenger Miguel Roman (KO 9) and dominated Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov (UD 12). These wins earned him a struggle for the vacant WBC title in opposition to Rey Vargas and he placed on a clinic to win a 12-round unanimous choice. He scored an exhilarating final spherical knockout over Eduardo Hernandez (TKO 12) in Mexico to maintain the title after which squeezed by Abraham Nova (SD 12), however misplaced his belt in controversial trend to Robson Conceicao (SD 12).

THE FUTURE: He’ll get his rematch with Conceicao on November 2.

Conceicao (left) was the aggressor in opposition to Foster (proper) however solely seldom was it efficient. (Picture by Mikey WIliams-High Rank)

No. 3 – OSCAR VALDEZ

RECORD: 32-2 (24 KOs)

THE PAST: Valdez was a standout novice, showing on the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, and profitable bronze on the 2009 World Championships. The Mexican star claimed the vacant WBO featherweight title by blasting out Matias Rueda (TKO 2), in July 2016, and made six defenses. Notable triumphs got here in opposition to Miguel Marriaga (UD 12) and Scott Quigg (UD 12) earlier than he moved to 130. Valdez scored a career-best win when he knocked out Miguel Berchelt (KO 10) for the WBC title. The 33-year-old made one profitable protection, struggling to get previous Robson Conceicao (UD 12) earlier than shedding to Stevenson (UD 12). Damage compelled him to the sidelines for over a 12 months, and after besting Adam Lopez (UD 10), he misplaced a firefight with Navarrete (UD 12). Nevertheless, he seemed fairly good beating Liam Wilson (TKO 7) on his return.

THE FUTURE: He’ll face Navarrete for the second time on December 7.

No. 4 – LAMONT ROACH JR.

RECORD: 25-1-1 (10 KOs)

THE PAST: After success within the novice ranks domestically, the American turned his consideration to skilled boxing in 2014. He was held to a draw by former two-time world title challenger Orlando Cruz however went on to earn a shot at then-WBO titlist Jamel Herring (L UD 12) in 2019. The 29-year-old recalibrated with 4 wins earlier than beating Hector Luis Garcia (SD 12) for the WBA title. He has since defended it beating Feargal McCrory (TKO 8).

THE FUTURE: May look to make one other elective protection or might need to face Albert Batyrgaziev in what appears to be like a harmful proposition.

No. 5 – ANTHONY CACACE

RECORD: 22-1 (8 KOs)

THE PAST: Cacace made his skilled bow in 2012. After going unbeaten by way of 15 fights he misplaced a British and Commonwealth title struggle to Martin J. Ward (UD 12). Two fights later he claimed the British title beating Sam Bowen (SD 12). After one protection he gained a thriller in opposition to Michael Magnesi (SD 12) and adopted that up in opposition to Damian Wrzesinski (UD 12). Nevertheless, the tall 35-year-old’s large alternative got here after a 12 months off when he confronted beforehand unbeaten IBF boss Joe Cordina in Could.  Cacace knew alternatives like this don’t come alongside so typically, and he shocked Cordina scoring an eighth-round stoppage.

THE FUTURE: The Irishman will meet former three-time featherweight titlist Josh Warrington in London on September 21.

Anthony Cacace’s homecoming occasion 🥳
Congrats to Eire’s new champion ! #CordinaCacace
pic.twitter.com/UBbAzabWGU

— HotBoxingMinute (@HotBoxingMinute) May 20, 2024

No. 6 – JOE CORDINA

RECORD: 17-1 (9 KOs)

THE PAST: Cordina had an in depth novice profession, competing on the 2011, 2013 and 2015 World Championships. The Welshman claimed gold on the 2015 European Championships and represented Staff GB on the 2016 Rio Olympics earlier than turning skilled. Cordina captured Commonwealth and British light-weight titles earlier than dropping down in weight. Got here of age when he spectacularly knocked out IBF titleholder Kenichi Ogawa (KO 2). A hand damage meant the 32-year-old was harshly stripped of the title and after a number of months returns and edged previous teak-tough Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov (SD 12) to regain his previous title. He struggled previous Edward Vazquez (MD 12) earlier than weight points caught up with him when he was surprisingly overwhelmed by Cacace (TKO 8).

THE FUTURE: Armed with a brand new coaching workforce, Cordina will tackle seemingly insurmountable odds when he heads as much as light-weight to face WBC ruler Shakur Stevenson in Riyadh on October 12.

No. 7 – HECTOR LUIS GARCIA

RECORD: 16-2 (10 KOs)

THE PAST: The Dominican Republic native represented his nation on the 2016 Olympics. Fought largely at house as a professional earlier than upsetting the touted Chris Colbert (UD 12) in Las Vegas. The 32-year-old southpaw bested Roger Gutierrez (UD 12) to select up the WBA title. He rolled the cube by stepping as much as light-weight the place he misplaced to Gervonta Davis (TKO 9). He returned to 130-pounds to defend his title in opposition to Lamont Roach Jr. however a final spherical knockdown value him the struggle, and he misplaced a 12-round break up choice.

THE FUTURE: Must get again within the win column, may return later this 12 months however for the time being issues are quiet.

Joe Cordina (proper) lands a tough proper on Edward Vazquez – Picture by Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

No. 8 – ROBSON CONCEICAO

RECORD: 19-2-1 (9 KOs)

THE PAST: The Brazilian fought on the 2008 and 2012 Olympics earlier than profitable gold on the 2016 Rio Video games. Labored his manner by way of the ranks as an expert and gave then-WBC titlist Oscar Valdez matches earlier than shedding a contentious 12-round unanimous choice. He rebounded strongly, taking Xavier Martinez’s unbeaten file by lopsided 10-round choice however misplaced a second world title struggle in opposition to then WBC/WBO kingpin Shakur Stevenson (UD 12). He twice bought off the canvas to carry WBO titlist Emanuel Navarrete to a draw. He lastly bought over the hump when on the fourth time of asking he gained a world title edging previous Foster (SD 12) to select up the WBC title in controversial trend.

THE FUTURE: The Brazilian will meet Foster in a rematch in November.

No. 9 – EDUARDO NUÑEZ

RECORD: 27-1 (27 KOs)

THE PAST: The Los Mochis native toiled in close to anonymity in Mexico for a number of years, profitable all however one his fights – a loss to Hiram Gallardo (UD 6) – inside the gap with solely three opponents getting previous the sixth spherical. The 27-year-old puncher’s large break got here when he went to Tajikistan and stopped iron-jawed Shavkatzhon Rakhimov (TKO 11). Beat up and stopped light however nonetheless serviceable former title challenger Miguel Marriaga (TKO 6) on the weekend.

THE FUTURE: He’s the IBF obligatory and can doubtless push for the Cacace-Warrington winner.

Sugar Nunez is a beast. It’s so simple as that 🤷‍♂️@IBFUSBAboxing 🔜 pic.twitter.com/2WDwgfMga6

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 1, 2024

No. 10 – ALBERT BATYRGAZIEV

RECORD: 10-0 (7 KOs)

THE PAST: The vastly gifted Dagestan-born fighter gained gold on the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo (held in 2021). As a consequence of his novice credentials and background he was in a position to transfer rapidly and beat the likes of former WBA ruler Jezreel Corrales (TKO 9) and beforehand unbeaten Francis Frometa (UD 10) and Ender Luces (KO 5). Extra not too long ago he zeroed in on the WBA title by beating up Jono Carroll (TKO 9) to select up an interim title.

THE FUTURE: Because the WBA interim titlist he’ll have designs on going through Roach for the complete title. Whether or not that’s subsequent or not stays to be seen.

On the Cusp: Albert Bell, Andres Cortes, Eduardo Hernandez, Mark Magsayo and Masanori Rikiishi.

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)

The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2024: Flyweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)

The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2024: Junior bantamweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)

The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2024: Bantamweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)

The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2024: Junior featherweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)

The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2024: Featherweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)

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

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