FOLLOWING another month of dramatic dustups and decisions, the WBC have adjusted their world rankings. Here, Boxing News takes a look at how and why the ratings have been changed.
UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND – MOSES ITAUMA RISES INTO CONTENTION
Former WBC flyweight world champion Charlie Edwards, 21-2 (7 KOs), got back to winning ways as he returned to the super-flyweight division after an unsuccessful challenge for Andrew Cain’s British bantamweight title back in March.
Edwards outpointed Salvador Juarez on the Conlan-Bateson bill to claim the WBC International super-flyweight title, and he has subsequently entered the WBC 115lb rankings at #12.
In the main event, Michael Conlan, 20-3 (10 KOs), needed just four rounds to halt Jack Bateson and secure a statement win, picking up the WBC International featherweight title during the process.
As a result, Conlan has entered the WBC featherweight world rankings at #11, as he eyes another charge towards the peak of the 126lb division.
Meanwhile, Jack Massey, 22-3 (12 KOs), has dropped out of the cruiserweight rankings (prev. #10), due to the inactivity that has followed his challenge for Jai Opetaia’s world title last October.
Finally, British fight fans will be delighted to see Moses Itauma, 13-0 (11 KOs), rewarded for his one-round of blowout Dillian Whyte.
The 20-year-old southpaw has dramatically risen seven places, from #11 to #4, as he eyes up a shot at becoming the second youngest heavyweight champion of all-time.
REST OF THE WORLD – CANELO ALVAREZ COULD FIGHT FOR A VACANT BELT NEXT
Venezuela’s Angelino Cordova, 19-0-2 (12 KOs), and Puerto Rico’s Yankiel Rivera Figueroa, 7-0-1 (3 KOs), fought to a draw when challenging for the vacant WBA interim flyweight title last month.
Consequently, with neither man claiming the title, both have entered the WBC flyweight rankings, with Cordova positioned at #3 and ‘El Doctorito’ taking the #6 spot.
At bantamweight, Yoshiki Takei, 11-1 (9 KOs), lost his WBO title to Christian Medina in a shock knockout defeat, which has allowed him to enter the WBC rankings, where he is now placed at #9.
After a desperately unsuccessful attempt at dethroning Naoya Inoue that cost him his WBA interim title, Murodjon Akhmadaliev, 14-2 (11 KOs), has entered the WBC super-bantamweight ratings at #10.
Three-weight world champion John Riel Casimero, 34-4-1 (23 KOs), has been removed from his #14 spot at 122lbs due to inactivity.
Confusingly, despite re-entering the super-bantamweight rankings elsewhere, Sam Goodman is a new entrant at featherweight with the WBC, placed at #7 following his defeat to reigning WBA champion, Nick Ball.
Also, at 126lbs, former WBO champion Robeisy Ramirez, 14-3 (9 KOs), has been removed from his #14 position, having not fought during 2025.
Maryland’s Jordan White, 19-2 (12 KOs), moved out of the super-featherweight division (prev. #8), only to lose out to Rene Tellez Giron at lightweight earlier this month.
Hayato Tsutsumi, 8-0 (5 KOs), has entered the 130lb ranks at #14. Although, Tsutsumi will likely lose this spot soon, with a challenge for Jazza Dickens’ WBA interim title announced today.
At super-welterweight, there has been plenty of movement on the world stage, with Brandon Adams, 26-4 (16 KOs), pulling off the upset over Serhii Bohachuk, 26-3 (24 KOs), to enter at #6 and cause the Ukrainian to fall from #2 to #8.
Additionally, Keith Thurman, 31-1 (23 KOs), and Erickson Lubin, 27-2 (19 KOs), have each moved up five places, now positioned at #3 and #5, respectively. Previous #3, Jesus Alejandro Ramos Jr, 23-1 (19 KOs), is out due to a move to middleweight, where he is now rated at #5.
Of course, the major talking point is Terence Crawford’s legendary triumph over Canelo Alvarez, 63-3-2 (39 KOs), on Saturday night. Now, having held the WBC title since 2020, Alvarez has re-entered the WBC rankings as the #1 contender.
Therefore, with Crawford being linked to a move down to middleweight or even retirement, it is expected that the WBC title will soon become vacant and possibly allow Canelo to challenge the winner of Mbilli-Martinez 2 for the belt next year.
Last but not least, previous #3, Albert Ramirez, 22-0 (19 KOs), has been removed from the light-heavyweight rankings due to his WBA interim title win. New Jersey’s Khalil Coe, 10-1-1 (8 KOs), has been inserted as the new #15 at 175lbs, ahead of his scrap with Jesse Hart next month.
