OVER the past 30 days, there have been a number of high-profile cards, title changes and behind the scenes manouevres. Here’s how the WBC’s August rankings have shifted – both in the UK and Ireland, and across the globe.
United Kingdom & Ireland – Dubois could soon return to heavyweight throne
Following Francisco Rodriguez Jr.’s positive test for a banned substance, Galal Yafai, 9-1 (7 KOs), has been reinstated as WBC Interim flyweight champion and removed from the rankings. Shabaz Masoud, 14-0 (4 KOs), has dropped out of the WBC’s super-bantamweight top 15, having yet to box in 2025.
In one of the performances of the month, Ryan Garner, 18-0 (9 KOs), dominated and eventually stopped Reece Bellotti on the south coast. That display has earned the Southampton super-featherweight a leap from #11 to #4.
At super-lightweight, Pierce O’Leary, 17-0 (9 KOs), and Adam Azim, 13-0 (10 KOs), both rise three spots to #6 and #8 respectively. British champion Jack Rafferty, 26-0 (17 KOs), makes his rankings debut at #14.
Another July highlight came when Hamzah Sheeraz, 22-0-1 (18 KOs), dismantled Edgar Berlanga on away soil, halting the New Yorker inside five rounds. That statement win catapults Sheeraz to #1 at super-middleweight, up five places and now within touching distance of a world title shot.
Light-heavyweight Craig Richards, 19-4-1 (12 KOs), and cruiserweight Aloys Youmbi, 11-1 (9 KOs), have each broken into the top 15 and both now sit at #14 in their divisions.
Finally, after losing his IBF world title to Oleksandr Usyk last month, Daniel Dubois, 22-3 (21 KOs), finds himself within touching distance of another title shot, entering the heavyweight ratings at #2.
Rest of the World – Pacquiao becomes #1 contender after contentious draw
Since the last update, Panya Pradabsri, 44-3 (27 KOs), and Erick Rosa, 8-1 (2 KOs), have lost their WBC and WBA light-flyweight world titles. The 108lb re-enter the rankings at #4 and #6. Meanwhile, Masataka Taniguchi has skyrocketed from #15 to #6 after knocking out Takeru Inoue to claim the Japanese and OPBF titles.
At flyweight, Kenshiro Teraji, 25-2 (16 KOs), suffered a shock title defeat to Ricardo Sandoval, but he rejoins as the #1 contender amid rumours that a rematch could be around the corner. Intriguingly, Francisco Rodriguez Jr., 40-6-1 (27 KOs), returns at #2, despire being stripped of the Interim title due to his failed drugs test. Highly rated Hasanboy Dusmatov, 7-0 (5 KOs), enters at #13 after moving up in weight.
Super-flyweight saw another title change when Phumelela Cafu 11-1-3 (8 KOs) fell short in his unification bid against Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez. The South African returns at #10.
Rumours that Junto Nakatani will vacate his bantamweight IBF and WBC titles has fans thinking of potential opponents for WBC #1 contender Tenshin Nasukawa. Despite losing last time out, Takuma Inoue, 20-2 (5 KOs), has jumped from #7 to #2 and could be viewed as the likely opponent for Nasukawa.
Bruce Carrington, 16-0 (9 KOs), now holds the WBC Interim featherweight title and has therefore been removed from the 126lb rankings. His last opponent, Mateus Heita, 14-1 (9 KOs), has dropped out entirely due to the one-sided defeat. Former champion Robeisy Ramirez, 14-3 (9 KOs), returns at #14, as he recovers from an orbital fracture.
Eduardo ‘Rocky’ Hernandez, 37-2 (32 KOs), is the most notable absentee from the updated rankings, having been removed from the WBC’s super-featherweight rankings, despite previously being the #1 contender. Elsewhere at 130lbs, Gary Allen Russell Jr, 32-2 (19 KOs), enters at #11 after a stoppage win ended his three-and-a-half-year layoff.
After losing to lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson last month, former Interim belt holder William Zepeda, 33-1 (27 KOs), is now at #3. While at super-lightweight, former WBA world champion Alberto Puello, 24-1 (10 KOs), is ranked at #2 with the WBC, following his defeat to Subriel Matias. Isaac Cruz, 28-3-1 (18 KOs), has been upgraded to interim champion and removed from the list, while Australia’s Liam Paro, 26-1 (16 KOs), departs after he announced his decision to move up to welterweight.
Manny Pacquiao 62-8-3 (39 KOs) narrowly missed becoming the oldest welterweight champion in history when he fought Mario Barrios to a contentious draw. Hopes for an immediate rematch rise with his return as the WBC’s #1 contender.
Jaron “Boots” Ennis 34-0 (30 KOs) enters as the #1 super-welterweight, benefitting from a favourable 154lb slot ahead of his debut in the division. Tim Tszyu 25-3 (18 KOs) tumbles from #3 to #11 after losing his rematch to Sebastian Fundora.
In the middleweight rankings, Shane Mosley Jr. 22-4 (12 KOs) slips from #4 to #10 due to inactivity. Edgar Berlanga 23-2 (18 KOs) drops out completely at super-middleweight following his defeat to Sheeraz, while Jaime Munguia 45-2 (35 KOs) reappears at #2 despite uncertainty over his failed drugs test.
The complete updated WBC rankings can be viewed on the Boxing News website.
