Rankings go up on Mondays. No replace subsequent week.

Ranked fights the subsequent two weeks:

• Gentle Heavyweight: (4) Callum Smith vs Pawel Stepien, Mar. 11
• Junior Middleweight: (4) Tim Tszyu vs (8) Tony Harrison, Mar. 12 [Mar. 11 U.S. time]
• Featherweight: (5) Mark Magsayo vs (10) Brandon Figueroa, Mar. 4
• Junior Featherweight: (10) Sam Goodman vs TJ Doheny, Mar. 12 [Mar. 11 U.S. time]

Upcoming Fights: (4) Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin, Apr. 1 … (5) Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang, Apr. 15

Notes: Badou Jack added the WBC cruiserweight title to his profession assortment, claiming a world title in a 3rd weight class with a minor however notable upset of Ilunga Junior Makabu on Sunday in Saudi Arabia.

I nonetheless don’t actually suppose the 39-year-old Jack is a good cruiserweight, however watching the struggle and observing the division during the last couple of years, it actually hit me: There isn’t a fantastic cruiserweight on this planet proper now. I’ve stated earlier than that the cruiserweight division of latest occasions has numerous fighters bunched fairly shut collectively in potential, and now I feel it is perhaps much more — previous a high 10 — than I already believed, and that there’s not actually anybody who stands wildly aside from the pack. Lawrence Okolie’s peak and attain is perhaps the most important issue of any potential matchup within the division.

Talent-wise, Jack was clearly higher than Makabu, who seemed each second of his 35 years after which some. That half really didn’t shock me that a lot; that Makabu by no means bought a lot probability to unleash the facility that many figured could be the difference-maker was a shock. He’s typically been a sluggish starter, however he by no means absolutely bought out of the blocks on this one.

That stated, I additionally didn’t suppose Jack DOMINATED! the way in which the commentary cheerleader squad made out on the published, however I did have him up by loads when the struggle was stopped. Jack is 39, he’s small for the division, however he’s earned this. He’s earned every part in his profession.

Apart from that, a little bit of tidying up. Richard Riakporhe jumps to No. 4, Jack in at No. 6, Makabu right down to No. 8, and little bits in any other case with a bunch of men who’re about pretty much as good as the primary 5 I don’t have within the high 10.

Upcoming Fights: (2) Lawrence Okolie vs David Gentle, Mar. 25

Upcoming Fights: (4) Callum Smith vs Pawel Stepien, Mar. 11 … (10) Jean Pascal vs Michael Eifert, Mar. 16 … (5) Gilberto Ramirez vs Gabriel Rosado, Mar. 18 … (9) Craig Richards vs Ricards Bolotniks, Apr. 1

Upcoming Fights: (9) Carlos Gongora vs (10) Christian Mbilli, Mar. 23 … (2) David Benavidez vs (3) Caleb Plant, Mar. 25 … (1) Canelo Alvarez vs (6) John Ryder, Might 6

Notes: Ryota Murata introduced his retirement. Meiirim Nursultanov is in now. I feel it might be time to abolish the middleweight division. It had a superb run.

Upcoming Fights: TBA

Upcoming Fights: (4) Tim Tszyu vs (8) Tony Harrison, Mar. 12 [Mar. 11 U.S. time] … (3) Sebastian Fundora vs Brian Mendoza, Apr. 8

Upcoming Fights: (8) Cody Crowley vs Abel Ramos, Mar. 25 … (6) Vergil Ortiz Jr vs (7) Eimantas Stanionis, Apr. 29

Notes: Subriel Matias received his first world title, calmly smashing by an extremely spirited Jeremias Ponce, who gambled on combating Matias’ struggle and misplaced, along with his nook stopping the struggle between rounds, which has been the results of 4 straight Matias fights.

Matias is terrifying. I feel I’d choose him head-to-head over Taylor, Catterrall, or Ramirez proper now, and that’s with respect to them. (Additionally I do know I get numerous official Combat Picks incorrect, however I’m much more rational on Sunday and Monday than I’m on Thursday once I typically need to speak myself into issues being extra attention-grabbing.)

If it’s an on-point, dialed-in Taylor, then I feel Josh has an excessive amount of ability, nevertheless it’s, you recognize, been some time. Matias is beatable, like anybody, however he’s additionally a destroyer. I don’t suppose there’s anybody on this division that’s going to be aching to struggle him, aside from perhaps Rougarou, however he swims with gators and shit, that dude is on one other aircraft.

Additionally, Gary Antuanne Russell is in. In all probability ought to have been earlier than. Now, what satisfied me of this lastly was not “oh jeez who’ve Ryan and Teofimo overwhelmed at 140,” like, Gary Antuanne’s in forward of them for that cause, nevertheless it was once I requested myself, “Hey, do you actually suppose Alberto Puello is among the 10 greatest fighters on this division proper now, or is he simply right here as a result of he has a belt?” And I concluded that he most likely was simply right here as a result of he has a belt. Now, if he beats Rolando Romero convincingly, we’ll have some extra to consider; not that Rollie Rolly is so nice, however, like, what number of guys right here actually have wins you’d name “so nice” within the division? Like, so nice? In order that’ll be a thought if it comes.

However we may see issues loosen up within the months to come back, particularly with the Taylor vs Teofimo information. And it will have been good if Russell simply fought Puello as was apparently the unique plan, however perhaps Gary Antuanne has been suggested that he simply fought final July, and he must sluggish it down some. Now that he’s formally seen as A Contender, it is perhaps time to get on the tried-and-true As soon as-A-12 months Plan.

Upcoming Fights: (4) Jose Ramirez vs Richard Commey, Mar. 25 … (7) Ryan Garcia vs Gervonta Davis, Apr. 22 … (2) Josh Taylor vs (9) Teofimo Lopez, June 10

Upcoming Fights: (3) Gervonta Davis vs Ryan Garcia [junior welterweight, technically], Apr. 15 … (1) Devin Haney vs (2) Vasiliy Lomachenko, Might 20

Upcoming Fights: (2) Joe Cordina vs (3) Shavkat Rakhimov, Apr. 22 … (9) Zelfa Barrett vs Alex Dilmaghani, Apr. 22

Notes: Gary Russell Jr’s out. He hasn’t fought in 13 months, has nothing scheduled, and whereas our typical normal is 15 months for Formally Inactive, he’s additionally indicated he received’t be combating at 126 anymore, and that there’s an opportunity he merely received’t struggle once more in any respect. So why maintain piddling round right here? Brandon Figueroa has the No. 10 spot, and could possibly be considerably greater subsequent replace, since he faces Mark Magsayo on Mar. 4.

Upcoming Fights: (5) Mark Magsayo vs (10) Brandon Figueroa, Mar. 4 … (8) Isaac Dogboe vs (9) Robeisy Ramirez, Apr. 1 … (5) Luis Alberto Lopez vs Michael Conlan, Might 27

Upcoming Fights: (10) Sam Goodman vs TJ Doheny, Mar. 12 [Mar. 11 U.S. time] … (2) Murodjon Akhmadaliev vs (6) Marlon Tapales, Apr. 8 … (9) Liam Davies vs Jason Cunningham, Apr. 29 … (1) Stephen Fulton Jr vs Naoya Inoue, TBA

Notes: Rigondeaux returned this previous Friday in Florida with an early stoppage win over a journeyman. He’s nonetheless right here. He’d nonetheless be a ache for anybody on this high 10.

Upcoming Fights: TBA

Upcoming Fights: TBA

Upcoming Fights: (9) Taku Kuwahara vs Jose Rivas, Mar. 14

Upcoming Fights: (1) Kenshiro Teraji vs (3) Jonathan Gonzalez, Apr. 8

Upcoming Fights: TBA

Upcoming Fights: (5) Seniesa Estrada vs Tina Rupprecht, Mar. 25 … (6) Mikaela Mayer vs Christina Linardatou, Apr. 15 … (2) Katie Taylor vs (3) Amanda Serrano, Might 20

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