Alexander Povetkin – previously ranked at No 3 – is removed from the rankings after testing positive for melodonium ahead of his fight with WBC champion Deontay Wilder. The fight has subsequently been ‘postponed’ by the WBC, and it remains unclear what the Russian’s punishment will be.
As part of BN’s new policy, any fighter who fails a drugs test will be removed from the rankings, which means Lucas Browne also drops out after he tested positive for clenbuterol after his win over Ruslan Chagaev in March.
Johann Duhaupas and Malik Scott enter the rankings at nine and ten respectively.
Again, as a result of our stance on failed drugs tests, Felix Sturm is removed from the rankings. Sturm tested for Stanozolol after his contentious decision over Fedor Chudinov in February, in which he won the WBA title.
Unbeaten Brit Callum Smith, mandatory challenger to Badou Jack’s WBC title, enters at No 10.
Lee Haskins (No 6) retains his IBF title with a comfortable points win over unranked Ivan Morales. He may now face a mandatory defence against No 10 Stuart Hall later this year.
