Rankings update: Artur Beterbiev, Liam Smith and Rances Barthelemy continue progression

Artur Beterbiev

Cruiserweight

Firat Arslan (No 6) smashes unranked Claudio Porto inside a round in Germany to keep hold of his rating. The 45-year-old has not fought a ranked opponent since dropping a split decision to Yoan Oablo Hernandez (no longer in the rankings due to inactivity) in 2014.

Light-heavyweight

Canada-based Russian wrecking ball Artur Beterbiev maintains his 100% knockout ratio by hammering poor Ezequiel Maderna in four violent rounds in Montreal, Quebec. Maderna is not ranked so Beterbiev stays at fifth, but his solid CV, menacing power and stellar amateur background make him a real threat for the division leaders.

Super-welterweight

Liam Smith uncorked a well-timed left hook to Predrag Radosevich’s liver to see off the Montengrin’s challenge to his WBO world title. It came in the second round of their Liverpool encounter, and as Radosevich is unranked Smith doesn’t move from his ninth position.

Lightweight

Talented Cuban Rances Barthelemy retains his IBF world title by rising from an early knockdown to outpoint Mickey Bey. Bey stays at 10th and Barthelemy remains at seventh as Bey was ranked below him and Rances’ performance was not enough to move him higher.

Super-featherweight

Francisco Vargas holds on to his WBC title after warring with Orlando Salido for 12 spine-tingling rounds. The pair fought to a draw, so Vargas remains in third and Salido at eighth.

Featherweight

No 10 Ronny Rios stops unranked Efrain Esquivias in two rounds. The 26-year-old continues his impressive resurgence after a stoppage loss to Robinson Castellanos in 2014.

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