Sports
Boxing divisional rankings: Nakatani makes debut at 122 pounds; Joshua re-enters at heavyweight
The holiday season is normally slow in boxing but not this year.
The end of 2025 saw some movement as a former heavyweight champion made his way back into the rankings and an undisputed champion cemented his dominance, while a future opponent wasn’t quite as impressive in his divisional debut.
Anthony Joshua got back to his winning ways with a knockout win over Jake Paul on Dec. 19. Joshua, who had been out of action since losing by knockout to Daniel Dubois in 2024, returned to the rankings at No. 6. The highly anticipated all U.K. showdown with Tyson Fury appears to finally have some motion as “The Gypsy King” announced his return to the ring and their clash could happen before the end of the year.
Naoya Inoue was his usual dominant self as he earned a wide unanimous decision win over David Picasso on Dec. 27 to defend his undisputed junior featherweight crown, cementing his No. 1 spot in the division. He picked up his fourth win of 2025 and is now set for a collision course with Junto Nakatani in early 2026. Meanwhile, Nakatani wasn’t quite as impressive in his junior featherweight debut as he narrowly squeezed past Sebastian Hernandez in the co-main event. Nakatani debuts at No. 4 at junior featherweight. Whether it was the move up in weight or an extremely determined and underrated opponent has yet to be determined. But the win secures one of the biggest showdowns in Japanese boxing history.
Here are the first divisional rankings of 2026.
ESPN’s divisional boxing rankings highlight the best in the sport in every weight class. Rankings will change based on recent results and performances. Fighters who have announced they are moving to a different weight class will be ranked in that new division, if warranted, only once they fight in that weight class. Fighters who currently own titles in two divisions can be ranked in both.
Fighters who haven’t competed in the past 12 months — and don’t have a fight scheduled — will be dropped from the rankings until they fight again. Any fighter who tests positive for a performance-enhancing substance will also be removed. That boxer will be eligible to reenter the rankings after his next bout.
For a list of the current champions in all weight classes, click here. For ESPN women’s divisional rankings, click here.
Heavyweight – Cruiserweight – Light heavyweight – Super middleweight – Middleweight – Junior middleweight – Welterweight – Junior welterweight – Lightweight – Junior lightweight – Featherweight – Junior featherweight – Bantamweight – Junior bantamweight – Flyweight – Junior flyweight – Strawweight
HEAVYWEIGHT (UNLIMITED)
2:52
Oleksandr Usyk unanimously defeats Tyson Fury in rematch
Oleksandr Usyk retains the heavyweight championship with another decision victory over Tyson Fury on Saturday, this time unanimously in an epic rematch.
1. Oleksandr Usyk 
Previous ranking: 1
Record: 24-0, 15 KOs
Last: W (KO5) Daniel Dubois, July 19
Next: TBA
2. Tyson Fury Previous ranking: 2
Record: 34-2-1, 24 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Oleksandr Usyk, Dec. 21
Next: TBA
3. Daniel Dubois Previous ranking: 3
Record: 22-3, 21 KOs
Last: L (KO5) Oleksandr Usyk, July 19
Next: TBA
4. Fabio Wardley Previous ranking: 4
Record: 20-0-1, 19 KOs
Last: W (TKO11) Joseph Parker, Oct. 25
Next: TBA
5. Joseph Parker Previous ranking: 5
Record: 36-4, 24 KOs
Last: L (TKO11) Fabio Wardley, Oct. 25
Next: TBA
6. Anthony Joshua 
Previous ranking: NR
Record: 29-4, 26 KOs
Last: W (KO6) Jake Paul, Dec. 19
Next: TBA
7. Agit Kabayel 
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 26-0, 18 KOs
Last: W (KO6) Zhilei Zhang, Feb. 22
Next: Jan. 10 vs. Damian Knyba
8. Filip Hrgovic Previous ranking: 7
Record: 19-1, 14 KOs
Last: W (UD10) David Adeleye, Aug. 16
Next: TBA
9. Moses Itauma Previous ranking: 8
Record: 14-0, 12 KOs
Last: W (TKO1) Dillian Whyte, Aug. 16
Next: Jan. 24 vs. Jermaine Franklin Jr.
10. Zhilei Zhang Previous ranking: 9
Record: 27-3-1, 22 KOs
Last: L (KO6) Agit Kabayel, Feb. 22
Next: TBA
Editor’s note: Andy Ruiz Jr. has been removed for inactivity.
CRUISERWEIGHT (UP TO 200 POUNDS)
1. Jai Opetaia Previous ranking: 1
Record: 29-0, 23 KOs
Last: W (KO8) Huseyin Cinkara, Dec. 6
Next: TBA
2. Gilberto Ramirez Previous ranking: 2
Record: 46-1, 30 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Yuniel Dorticos, June 28
Next: Jan. 16 vs. Robin Sirwan Safar
3. Chris Billam-Smith Previous ranking: 3
Record: 21-2, 13 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Brandon Glanton, April 26
Next: TBA
4. Noel Mikaelian Previous ranking: 4
Record: 28-3, 12 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Badou Jack, Dec. 13
Next: TBA
5. Badou Jack Previous ranking: 5
Record: 29-4-3, 17 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Noel Mikaelian, Dec. 13
Next: TBA
6. Aleksei Papin Previous ranking: 6
Record: 19-1, 17 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Miljan Rovcanin, July 19
Next: TBA
7. Michal Cieslak Previous ranking: 7
Record: 28-2, 22 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Jean Pascal, June 28
Next: TBA
8. Leonardo Mosquea Previous ranking: 10
Record: 18-0, 11 KOs
Last: W (KO8) Jeison Troncoso, Dec. 19
Next: TBA
9. Viddal Riley Previous ranking: NR
Record: 13-0, 7 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Cheavon Clarke, April 26
Next: TBA
10. Robin Sirwan Safar Previous ranking: NR
Record: 19-0, 13 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Derick Miller Jr., Nov. 8
Next: TBA
Editor’s note: Ryan Rozicki and Yamil Alberto Peralta have been removed for inactivity.
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (UP TO 175 POUNDS)
1:01
The numbers behind Bivol’s rematch victory against Beterbiev
Take a look at the statistics from Dmitry Bivol’s win against Artur Beterbiev.
1. Dmitry Bivol Previous ranking: 1
Record: 24-1, 12 KOs
Last: W (MD12) Artur Beterbiev, Feb. 22
Next: TBA
2. Artur Beterbiev Previous ranking: 2
Record: 21-1, 20 KOs
Last: L (MD12) Dmitry Bivol, Feb. 22
Next: TBA
3. David Benavidez Previous ranking: 3
Record: 31-0, 25 KOs
Last: W (TKO7) Anthony Yarde, Nov. 22
Next: TBA
4. Callum Smith Previous ranking: 4
Record: 31-2, 22 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Joshua Buatsi, Feb. 22
Next: TBA
5. David Morrell Jr. Previous ranking: 5
Record: 12-1, 9 KOs
Last: W (SD12) Imam Khataev, July 12
Next: TBA
6. Imam Khataev Previous ranking: 6
Record: 11-1, 10 KOs
Last: W (KO3) Adam Deines, Dec. 11
Next: TBA
7. Anthony Yarde Previous ranking: 7
Record: 27-4, 24 KOs
Last: L (TKO7) David Benavidez, Nov. 22
Next: TBA
8. Oleksandr Gvozdyk Previous ranking: 8
Record: 21-2, 17 KOs
Last: W (KO3) Anthony Hollaway, April 19
Next: TBA
9. Albert Ramirez Previous ranking: 9
Record: 22-0, 19 KOs
Last: W (TKO7) Jerome Pampellone, Aug. 8
Next: Feb. 5 vs. TBA
10. Joshua Buatsi Previous ranking: 10
Record: 20-1, 13 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Zach Parker, Nov. 1
Next: TBA
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT (UP TO 168 POUNDS)
1. Canelo Alvarez Previous ranking: 2
Record: 63-3-2, 39 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Terence Crawford, Sept. 13
Next: TBA
2. Hamzah Sheeraz Previous ranking: 4
Record: 22-0-1, 18 KOs
Last: W (KO5) Edgar Berlanga, July 12
Next: TBA
3. Christian Mbilli Previous ranking: 5
Record: 29-0-1, 24 KOs
Last: D (Split draw 10) Lester Martinez, Sept. 13
Next: TBA
4. Lester Martinez Previous ranking: 6
Record: 19-0-1, 16 KOs
Last: D (Split draw 10) Christian Mbilli, Sept. 13
Next: TBA
5. Diego Pacheco Previous ranking: 3
Record: 25-0, 18 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Kevin Lele Sadjo, Dec. 13
Next: TBA
6. Jermall Charlo Previous ranking: 7
Record: 34-0, 23 KOs
Last: W (TKO6) Thomas LaManna, May 31
Next: TBA
7. Jose Armando Resendiz Previous ranking: 9
Record: 16-2, 11 KOs
Last: W (SD12) Caleb Plant, May 31
Next: TBA
8. Osleys Iglesias Previous ranking: NR
Record: 14-0, 13 KOs
Last: W (TKO8) Vladimir Shishkin, Sept. 4
Next: TBA
9. Caleb Plant Previous ranking: 10
Record: 23-2, 14 KOs
Last: L (SD12) Jose Armando Resendiz, March 31
Next: TBA
10. Edgar Berlanga Previous ranking: 8
Record: 23-2, 18 KOs
Last: L (KO5) Hamzah Sheeraz, July 12
Next: TBA
Editor’s note: Terence Crawford announced his retirement in December and has been removed from the rankings.
MIDDLEWEIGHT (UP TO 160 POUNDS)
1:08
Alimkhanuly lands two ferocious shots for TKO win
Janibek Alimkhanuly wins in stunning style over Anauel Ngamissengue in the fifth round.
1. Janibek Alimkhanuly Previous ranking: 1
Record: 17-0, 12 KOs
Last: W (TKO5) Anauel Ngamissengue, April 5
Next: TBA
2. Carlos Adames Previous ranking: 2
Record: 24-1-1, 18 KOs
Last: D (Split draw 12) Hamzah Sheeraz, Feb. 22
Next: Jan. 31 vs. Austin Williams
3. Erislandy Lara Previous ranking: 3
Record: 32-3-3, 19 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Johan Gonzales, Dec. 6
Next: TBA
4. Jesus Ramos Previous ranking: 4
Record: 24-1, 19 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Shane Mosley Jr., Dec. 6
Next: TBA
5. Conor Benn Previous ranking: 5
Record: 23-1, 14 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Chris Eubank Jr., Nov. 15
Next: TBA
6. Chris Eubank Jr. Previous ranking: 6
Record: 35-4, 25 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Conor Benn, Nov. 15
Next: TBA
7. Anauel Ngamissengue Previous ranking: 7
Record: 14-1, 9 KOs
Last: L (TKO5) Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, April 5
Next: TBA
8. Etinosa Oliha Previous ranking: 8
Record: 22-0, 10 KOs
Last: W (TKO3) Ivan Njegac, Sept. 12
Next: TBA
9. Fiodor Czerkaszyn Previous ranking: 9
Record: 26-1, 16 KOs
Last: W (TKO2) Patrick Allotey, Feb. 1
Next: TBA
10. Yoenli Hernandez Previous ranking: 10
Record: 9-0, 8 KOs
Last: W (TKO1) Ramon de la Cruz Sena, Oct. 12
Next: TBA
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT (UP TO 154 POUNDS)
1. Vergil Ortiz Jr. Previous ranking: 1
Record: 24-0, 22 KOs
Last: W (TKO2) Erickson Lubin, Nov. 8
Next: TBA
2. Sebastian Fundora Previous ranking: 2
Record: 23-1-1, 14 KOs
Last: W (TKO8) Tim Tszyu, July 19
Next: TBA vs. Keith Thurman
3. Jaron Ennis Previous ranking: 3
Record: 35-0, 31 KOs
Last: W (TKO1) Uisma Lima, Oct. 11
Next: TBA
4. Xander Zayas Previous ranking: 4
Record: 22-0, 13 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Jose Garcia Perez, July 26
Next: Jan. 31 vs. Abass Baraou
5. Israil Madrimov Previous ranking: 5
Record: 10-2-1, 7 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Vergil Ortiz Jr., Feb. 22
Next: Jan. 24 vs. Luis David Salazar
6. Keith Thurman Previous ranking: 7
Record: 31-1, 23 KOs
Last: W (TKO3) Brock Jarvis, March 12
Next: TBA vs. Sebastian Fundora
7. Abass Baraou Previous ranking: 9
Record: 17-1, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Yoenis Tellez, Aug. 23
Next: Jan. 31 vs. Xander Zayas
8. Brandon Adams Previous ranking: 10
Record: 26-4, 16 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Serhii Bohachuk, Sep. 13
Next: TBA
9. Serhii Bohachuk Previous ranking: NR
Record: 26-3, 24 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Brandon Adams, Sept. 13
Next: TBA
10. Bakary Samake Previous ranking: NR
Record: 19-0, 11 KOs
Last: W (KO5) Alejandro Ortiz, Oct. 25
Next: TBA
Editor’s note: Tim Tszyu has moved up to the middleweight division. Bakhram Murtazaliev has been removed for inactivity.
WELTERWEIGHT (UP TO 147 POUNDS)
1. Devin Haney Previous ranking: 1
Record: 33-0-1 NC, 15 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Brian Norman Jr., Nov. 22
Next: TBA
2. Mario Barrios Previous ranking: 2
Record: 29-2-2, 18 KOs
Last: Draw (Majority draw 12) Manny Pacquiao, July 19
Next: Feb. 21 vs. Ryan Garcia
3. Brian Norman Jr. Previous ranking: 3
Record: 28-1, 22 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Devin Haney, Nov. 22
Next: TBA
4. Manny Pacquiao Previous ranking: 4
Record: 62-8-3, 39 KOs
Last: Draw (Majority draw 12) Mario Barrios, July 19
Next: TBA
5. Liam Paro Previous ranking: 5
Record: 27-1, 16 KOs
Last: W (UD12) David Papot, Sept. 18
Next: Jan. 16 vs. Paddy Donovan
6. Shakhram Giyasov Previous ranking: 6
Record: 17-0, 10 KOs
Last: W (KO4) Franco Ocampo, April 12
Next: TBA
7. Giovani Santillan Previous ranking: 7
Record: 34-1, 18 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Angel Beltran, May 10
Next: Jan. 31 vs. Courtney Pennington
8. Rolando Romero Previous ranking: 8
Record: 17-2, 13 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Ryan Garcia, May 2
Next: TBA
9. Souleymane Cissokho Previous ranking: 9
Record: 18-0, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Egidijus Kavaliauskas, May 10
Next: TBA
10. Lewis Crocker Previous ranking: 10
Record: 22-0, 11 KOs
Last: W (SD12) Paddy Donovan, Sept. 13
Next: TBA
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT (UP TO 140 POUNDS)
1. Teofimo Lopez Previous ranking: 1
Record: 22-1, 13 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Arnold Barboza Jr., May 2
Next: Jan. 31 vs. Shakur Stevenson
2. Richardson Hitchins Previous ranking: 2
Record: 20-0, 8 KOs
Last: W (TKO8) George Kambosos Jr., June 14
Next: TBA
3. Subriel Matias Previous ranking: 3
Record: 23-2, 22 KOs
Last: W (MD12) Alberto Puello, July 12
Next: Jan. 10 vs. Dalton Smith
4. Alberto Puello Previous ranking: 4
Record: 24-1, 10 KOs
Last: L (MD12) Subriel Matias, July 12
Next: TBA
5. Gary Antuanne Russell Previous ranking: 5
Record: 18-1, 17 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Jose Valenzuela, March 1
Next: TBA
6. Arnold Barboza Jr. Previous ranking: 6
Record: 31-2, 11 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Teofimo Lopez, May 2
Next: TBA
7. Sandor Martin Previous ranking: 7
Record: 42-4, 15 KOs
Last: L (SD12) Alberto Puello, March 1
Next: TBA
8. Dalton Smith Previous ranking: 8
Record: 18-0, 13 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Mathieu Germain, April 25
Next: Jan. 10 vs. Subriel Matias
9. Adam Azim Previous ranking: 9
Record: 14-0, 11 KOs
Last: W (TKO12) Kurt Scoby, Nov. 15
Next: Jan. 31 vs. Gustavo Lemos
10. Lamont Roach Jr. Previous ranking: 10
Record: 25-1-3, 10 KOs
Last: Draw (Majority draw 12) Isaac Cruz, Dec. 6
Next: TBA
LIGHTWEIGHT (UP TO 135 POUNDS)
1. Shakur Stevenson Previous ranking: 1
Record: 24-0, 11 KOs
Last: W (UD12) William Zepeda, July 12
Next: Jan. 31 vs. Teofimo Lopez Jr.
2. Gervonta Davis Previous ranking: 2
Record: 30-0-1, 28 KOs
Last: Draw (Majority draw 12) Lamont Roach, March 1
Next: TBA
3. Keyshawn Davis Previous ranking: 3
Record: 13-0, 9 KOs
Last: W (KO4) Denys Berinchyk, Feb. 14
Next: Jan. 31 vs. Jamaine Ortiz
4. William Zepeda Previous ranking: 4
Record: 33-1, 27 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Shakur Stevenson, July 12
Next: TBA
5. Andy Cruz Previous ranking: 5
Record: 6-0, 3 KOs
Last: W (TKO5) Hironori Mishiro, June 14
Next: Jan. 24 vs. Raymond Muratalla
6. Raymond Muratalla Previous ranking: 6
Record: 23-0, 17 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Zaur Abdullaev, May 10
Next: Jan. 24 vs. Andy Cruz
7. Abdullah Mason Previous ranking: 7
Record: 20-0, 17 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Sam Noakes, Nov. 22
Next: TBA
8. Floyd Schofield Previous ranking: 8
Record:19-0, 13 KOs
Last: W (KO1) Tevin Farmer, June 28
Next: TBA
9. Denys Berinchyk Previous ranking: 9
Record: 19-1, 9 KOs
Last: L (KO4) Keyshawn Davis, Feb. 14
Next: TBA
10. Sam Noakes Previous ranking: 10
Record: 17-1, 15 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Abdullah Mason, Nov. 22
Next: TBA
JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT (UP TO 130 POUNDS)
1:17
Emanuel Navarrete wins via technical decision despite injury
Emanuel Navarrete outlasts Charly Suarez despite a major cut to his head in the main event.
1. Emanuel Navarrete Previous ranking: 1
Record: 39-2-1, 31 KOs
Last: NC (no contest) Charly Suarez, May 10
Next: Feb. 28 vs. Eduardo Nunez
2. O’Shaquie Foster Previous ranking: 2
Record: 24-3, 12 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Stephen Fulton, Dec. 6
Next: TBA
3. Anthony Cacace Previous ranking: 3
Record: 24-1, 9 KOs
Last: W (TKO9) Leigh Wood, May 10
Next: March 14 vs. James Dickens
4. Ray Ford Previous ranking: 4
Record: 18-1-1, 8 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Abraham Nova, Aug. 16
Next: TBA
5. Robson Conceicao Previous ranking: 5
Record: 20-3-1 1 NC, 10 KOs
Last: W (KO6) Yonnaiquer Rondon, Aug. 2
Next: TBA
6. Eduardo Nunez Previous ranking: 6
Record: 29-1 27 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Christopher Diaz, Sept. 6
Next: Feb. 28 vs. Emanuel Navarrete
7. Andres Cortes Previous ranking: 7
Record: 24-0, 13 KOs
Last: W (KO4) Derlyn Hernandez-Gerarldo, Oct. 18
Next: TBA
8. Charly Suarez Previous ranking: 8
Record: 18-0, 10 KOs
Last: NC (No contest) Emanuel Navarrete, May 10
Next: TBA
9. James Dickens Previous ranking: 9
Record: 36-5, 15 KOs
Last: W (KO4) Albert Batyrgaziev, July 2
Next: March 14 vs. Anthony Cacace
10. Joe Cordina Previous ranking: 10
Record: 19-1, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Gabriel Flores Jr., Dec. 13
Next: TBA
FEATHERWEIGHT (UP TO 126 POUNDS)
1. Rafael Espinoza Previous ranking: 1
Record: 28-0, 24 KOs
Last: W (KO11) Arnold Khegai, Nov. 15
Next: TBA
2. Nick Ball Previous ranking: 2
Record: 23-0-1, 13 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Sam Goodman, Aug. 16
Next: Feb. 7 vs. Brandon Figueroa
3. Angelo Leo Previous ranking: 3
Record: 26-1, 12 KOs
Last: W (MD12) Tomoki Kameda, May 24
Next: TBA
4. Bruce Carrington Previous ranking: 4
Record: 16-0, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Mateus Heita, July 26
Next: Jan. 31 vs. Carlos Castro
5. Luis Alberto Lopez Previous ranking: 5
Record: 32-3, 18 KOs
Last: W (TKO3) Miguel Arevalo Mejia, Dec. 13
Next: TBA
6. Brandon Figueroa Previous ranking: 6
Record: 26-2-1, 19 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Joet Gonzalez, July 19
Next: Feb. 7 vs. Nick Ball
7. Sam Goodman Previous ranking: NR
Record: 21-1, 8 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Tyler Blizzard, Dec. 17
Next: TBA
8. Tomoki Kameda Previous ranking: 7
Record: 42-5, 23 KOs
Last: L (MD12) Angelo Leo, May 24
Next: TBA
9. Mirco Cuello Previous ranking: 8
Record: 16-0, 13 KOs
Last: W (TKO2) Sergio Rios Jimenez, Aug. 8
Next: TBA
10. Nathaniel Collins Previous ranking: 9
Record: 17-0-1, 8 KOs
Last: Draw (Split draw 12) Cristobal Lorenta, Oct. 4
Next: TBA
JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT (UP TO 122 POUNDS)
1. Naoya Inoue Previous ranking: 1
Record: 32-0, 27 KOs
Last: W (UD12) David Picasso, Dec. 27
Next: TBA
2. Marlon Tapales Previous ranking: 2
Record: 41-4, 22 KOs
Last: W (KO6) Fernando Toro, Oct. 29
Next: TBA
3. Murodjon Akhmadaliev Previous ranking: 3
Record: 14-2, 11 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Naoya Inoue, Sept. 14
Next: TBA
4. Junto Nakatani Previous ranking: NR
Record: 32-0, 24 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Sebastian Hernandez, Dec. 27
Next: TBA
5. Luis Nery Previous ranking: 5
Record: 36-2, 28 KOs
Last: W (TKO7) Kyonosuke Kameda, Feb. 22
Next: TBA
6. David Picasso Previous ranking: 6
Record: 32-1-1, 17 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Naoya Inoue, Dec. 27
Next: TBA
7. Ramon Cardenas Previous ranking: 7
Record: 26-2, 15 KOs
Last: W (TKO5) Erik Robles Ayala, Dec. 18
Next: TBA
8. Shabaz Masoud Previous ranking: 8
Record: 15-0, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Peter McGrail, Dec. 6
Next: TBA
9. TJ Doheny Previous ranking: 9
Record: 26-6, 20 KOs
Last: L (TKO10) Nick Ball, March 15
Next: TBA
10. Ra’eese Aleem Previous ranking: 10
Record: 23-1, 12 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Mikito Nakano, Nov. 24
Next: TBA
Editor’s note: Sam Goodman has moved up to the featherweight division.
BANTAMWEIGHT (UP TO 118 POUNDS)
1. Ryosuke Nishida Previous ranking: 2
Record: 10-1, 2 KO
Last: L (TKO6) Junto Nakatani, June 8
Next: Feb. 15 vs. Bryan Mercado Vazquez
2. Christian Medina Previous ranking: 3
Record: 26-4, 19 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Yoshiki Takei, Sept. 14
Next: TBA
3. Seiya Tsutsumi Previous ranking: 5
Record: 13-0-3, 8 KOs
Last: W (SD12) Nonito Donaire, Dec. 17
Next: TBA
4. Yoshiki Takei Previous ranking: 4
Record: 11-1, 9 KOs
Last: L (TKO4) Christian Medina Jimenez, Sept. 14
Next: TBA
5. Takuma Inoue Previous ranking: 6
Record: 21-2, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Tenshin Nasukawa, Nov. 24
Next: TBA
6. Daigo Higa Previous ranking: 7
Record: 21-3-3, 19 KOs
Last: Draw (Unanimous draw 12) Antonio Vargas, July 30
Next: TBA
7. Antonio Vargas Previous ranking: 8
Record: 19-1-1, 11 KOs
Last: Draw (Unanimous draw 12) Daigo Higa, July 30
Next: TBA
8. Tenshin Nasukawa Previous ranking: 9
Record: 7-1, 2 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Takuma Inoue, Nov. 24
Next: TBA
9. Kazuto Iokaa Previous ranking: NR
Record: 32-4-1, 17 KOs
Last: W (KO4) Maikel Ordosgoitti, Dec. 31
Next: TBA
10. Jason Moloney Previous ranking: 10
Record: 28-4, 20 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Herlan Gomez, Dec. 6
Next: TBA
Editor’s note: Junto Nakatani has moved up to the junior featherweigh division. Roman Gonzalez, Juan Francisco Estrada and Emmanuel Rodriguez have been removed for inactivity.
JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHT (UP TO 115 POUNDS)
1. Jesse Rodriguez Previous ranking: 1
Record: 23-0, 16 KOs
Last: W (KO10) Fernando Martinez, Nov. 22
Next: TBA
2. Fernando Martinez Previous ranking: 2
Record: 18-1, 9 KOs
Last: L (KO10) Jesse Rodriguez, Nov. 22
Next: TBA
3. Phumelele Cafu Previous ranking: 4
Record: 11-1-3, 8 KOs
Last: L (TKO10) Jesse Rodriguez, July 19
Next: TBA
4. David Jimenez Previous ranking: 6
Record: 18-1, 12 KOs
Last: W (KO11) Kenbun Torres, July 20
Next: TBA
5. Willibaldo Garcia Perez Previous ranking: 7
Record: 23-6-2, 13 KOs
Last: W (SD12) Rene Calixto Bibiano, May 23
Next: TBA
6. Tomoya Tsuboi Previous ranking: NR
Record: 3-0, 2 KOs
Last: W (TKO8) Carlos Cuadras, Nov. 24
Next TBA
7. Andrew Moloney Previous ranking: 8
Record: 28-4, 18 KOs
Last: W (TKO5) Pawan Kumar Arya, Nov. 1
Next: TBA
8. Carlos Cuadras Previous ranking: 5
Record: 44-6-1, 28 KOs
Last: L (TKO8) Tomoya Tsuboi, Nov. 24
Next: TBA
9. Charlie Edwards Previous ranking: 9
Record: 21-2, 7 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Salvador Juarez, Sept. 5
Next: TBA
10. Rene Calixto Bibiano Previous ranking: 10
Record: 24-1-1, 10 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Ruben Lezama Gonzalez, Dec. 6
Next TBA
Editor’s note: Kosei Tanaka retired and has been removed. KJ Cataraja has been removed for inactivity.
FLYWEIGHT (UP TO 112 POUNDS)
1. Ricardo Sandoval Previous ranking: 1
Record: 27-2, 18 KOs
Last: W (SD12) Kenshiro Teraji, July 30
Next: TBA
2. Kenshiro Teraji Previous ranking: 2
Record: 25-2, 16 KOs
Last: L (SD12) Ricardo Sandoval, July 30
Next: TBA
3. Seigo Yuri Akui Previous ranking: 3
Record: 22-3-1, 12 KOs
Last: W (KO3) Vencent Lacar, Dec. 17
Next: TBA
4. Francisco Rodriguez Jr. Previous ranking: 4
Record: 41-6, 28 KOs
Last: W (TKO2) Jesus Faro, Oct. 25
Next: TBA
5. Anthony Olascuaga Previous ranking: NR
Record: 11-1, 8 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Taku Kuwahara, Dec. 21
Next: TBA
JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT (UP TO 108 POUNDS)
1. Rene Santiago Previous ranking: 1
Record: 15-4, 9 KOs
Last: W (SD12) Kyosuke Takami, Dec. 17
Next: TBA
2. Kyosuke Takami Previous ranking: 2
Record: 10-1, 8 KOs
Last: L (SD12) Rene Santiago, Dec. 17
Next: TBA
3. Carlos Canizales Previous ranking: 3
Record: 28-3-1, 20 KOs
Last: W (KO5) Petchmanee CP Freshmart, Aug. 1
Next: TBA
4. Knockout CP Freshmart Previous ranking: 4
Record: 29-1, 11 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Junior Leandro Zarate, Dec. 4
Next: TBA
5. Erik Badillo Mares Previous ranking: 5
Record: 19-0, 8 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Elwin Soto, Nov. 29
Next: TBA
STRAWWEIGHT (UP TO 105 POUNDS)
1. Oscar Collazo Previous ranking: 1
Record: 13-0, 10 KOs
Last: W (TKO7) Jayson Vayson, Sept. 20
Next: TBA
2. Pedro Taduran Previous ranking: 2
Record: 19-4-1, 13 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Christian Balunan, Oct. 26
Next: TBA
3. Melvin Jerusalem Previous ranking: 3
Record: 25-3, 12 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Siyakholwa Kuse, Oct. 29
Next: TBA
4. Yudai Shigeoka Previous ranking: 4
Record: 9-2, 5 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Melvin Jerusalem, March 30
Next: TBA
5. Ryusei Matsumoto Previous ranking: 5
Record: 7-0, 4 KOs
Last: W (TD5) Yuni Takeda, Sep. 14
Next: TBA
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Tuesday repeated his call for Congress to pass legislation that would rein in college sports at a time athletes are allowed to move freely from school to school and command salaries that put athletic departments in financial peril.
Trump’s remarks came at a White House event honoring some 100 athletes from seven teams that won NCAA championships in 2025.
Trump this month signed an executive order that would limit eligibility to five years, allow one transfer without penalty for undergraduates, stop pay-for-play schemes and build in protections for women’s and Olympic sports.
Aspects of the executive order might not withstand legal scrutiny, which is why Trump and some college sports stakeholders are asking for federal legislation that would codify restrictions and grant the NCAA an antitrust exemption to enforce rules.
Dozens of athletes have challenged NCAA eligibility rules with the hope of extending their college careers and, in turn, their ability to earn money through name, image and likeness deals. He said it’s unfair for athletes right out of high school to compete against 28- or 29-year-olds.
“It’s a very precarious position the courts have left us in,” Trump said, adding that the 2025 settlement of House v. the NCAA created a professional model that has led to financial instability for colleges. “And now it’s a total and complete mess. But we’re going to get it fixed up and we’ve got fantastic people doing it. So we need now Congress to act to clear up the confusion created by the courts and institute permanent reforms to protect college sports at every level, especially some sports.”
The national championship teams honored were Oklahoma State in men’s golf, Texas A&M in women’s volleyball, Wake Forest in men’s tennis, Georgia in women’s tennis, Youngstown State in women’s bowling, Florida State in women’s soccer and West Virginia in mixed rifle.
“Seventy-five percent of Olympians competing for Team USA played as college athletes,” Trump said. “If we don’t straighten out this, we’re not going to have much of an Olympic team because you have so many of these sports, especially certain sports where it’s like the minor leagues, call it the major leagues, whatever you want. But we’ve trained unbelievable athletes to go in and win the gold medal. Without college sports and without your ability to go into college sports and compete and learn how to play and get better, we’re not going to have much of an Olympic team anymore.”
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Eli Manning retired in 2019 and missed out in his first year of Hall of Fame eligibility in 2025. He was passed over again earlier this year but still fired back at a fan who claimed one of his contemporaries was the better quarterback.
On Tuesday, a social media user floated a theory about former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. Ryan, who now oversees football operations as the team’s president, last played in an NFL game in 2022. He announced his retirement in 2024, making him eligible for Hall of Fame consideration beginning in 2028.
“Matt Ryan was a better QB than Eli Manning… people just worship rings. Agree or nah,” the post read.
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New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning greets Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan after their game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Oct. 22, 2018. (Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports)
Manning caught wind of the suggestion and weighed in, pointing to the two Super Bowl-winning teams he was part of during his standout run with the New York Giants.
“I will ponder this while I play with my rings…,” Manning wrote in a quote-tweet.
Ryan’s statistical production surpasses Manning’s, at least on paper. He was named NFL MVP in 2016, an honor Manning never earned. Ryan is also the most accomplished player in Falcons history and finished his career with more than 62,000 regular-season passing yards, compared with Manning’s 57,023.
NFC head coach Eli Manning leads a huddle during a practice session before the NFL Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on Feb. 4, 2023. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Both quarterbacks were selected to four Pro Bowls, but the key difference lies in championships. Manning won the Super Bowl in 2007 and 2011, while Ryan reached it once but fell short. Manning threw for a single season career-best 4,933 during the run leading up to the second Super Bowl title.
Ryan threw for 284 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions to help the Falcons build a 25-point lead in the championship game — a matchup remembered for the New England Patriots engineering the largest comeback in Super Bowl history.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan passes the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Jan. 2, 2022. (Rich Barnes/USA TODAY Sports)
Manning struck a measured tone in February when discussing his Hall of Fame chances.
“If I never get in the Hall of Fame, it’s not going to change anything,” Manning told Forbes. “I’m not gonna be bitter or mad or upset, and if I do get in, it would just be an unbelievable honor to be associated with some of the great athletes and football players ever. But it’s not going to change my outlook or my approach to how I feel about the game of football.”
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The Falcons have reached the Super Bowl twice in franchise history, first in 1998, but the team is still chasing its first elusive championship.
The Giants marked their 100th season in 2024, winning four Super Bowls over the franchise’s century-long history.
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Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell has committed to Duke, he told ESPN on Tuesday.
Blackwell, who visited Duke on Monday, was the best guard to enter the transfer portal this spring.
“It just felt right,” Blackwell told ESPN. “It felt like the right situation for me. I just connected with Coach [Jon Scheyer] on a different level. We built a connection in these past weeks of just talking to him and him selling why Duke is the right spot for me. Me taking this visit was just confirmation on why I should be at Duke.”
Blackwell, a 6-foot-4 guard, earned third-team All-Big Ten honors this past season after averaging a career-high 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists, shooting nearly 39% from 3-point range.
He was at his best in the postseason. Blackwell had 34 points and 10 rebounds in the third round of the Big Ten tournament against Washington, following it with 31 points on 9-for-17 shooting in an overtime win over Illinois. While Wisconsin was upset by 12-seed High Point in the first round of the men’s NCAA tournament, Blackwell finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds against the Panthers.
Blackwell, who is represented by Todd Ramasar and Alexis Liatsos at Life Sports Agency, will have the opportunity to carry that momentum over to Duke.
“Their pitch to me was, come here, have freedom,” Blackwell said. “You can come here and be a draft pick, and that’s always my dream. Come here and help us win a national championship. Those are just things I love to hear. I love the campus, I love the people surrounding Duke. That’s why I made my choice to be a Blue Devil.”
Blackwell, who is still going through the NBA draft process, is joining a backcourt that includes returnees Caleb Foster (8.3 PPG) and Cayden Boozer (7.7 PPG), as well as five-star recruit Deron Rippey Jr. The junior guard said when he entered the portal that he wants to show more on-ball responsibility, meaning Scheyer will have plenty of options as playmakers next season.
“They have four PGs. I would consider myself a point guard,” Blackwell said. “We’re just going to push each other everyday. [When you] have a deep backcourt like we’re going to have, it’s going to be a matchup nightmare for teams. I’m just so excited to play with those guys and challenge those guys. And they challenge me every single day.”
Scheyer has been reloading his roster since last month’s Elite Eight loss to UConn. Projected top-five pick Cameron Boozer is out the door, with projected first-rounder Isaiah Evans expected to follow. Maliq Brown is out of eligibility and freshman Nikolas Khamenia entered the portal and transferred to UConn.
But Duke received positive news on Monday with the return of honorable mention All-ACC big man Patrick Ngongba II, while Cayden Boozer, Foster and potentially Dame Sarr are also likely to return to Durham.
The Blue Devils are also bringing in the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class, led by three top-25 seniors, and added Belmont transfer Drew Scharnowski this past weekend.
But Scheyer desperately needed a high-level scorer to round out his roster, an experienced bucket-getter to lead the offense. And he landed the best one on the market in Blackwell.
“Their track record with producing pros definitely played a part in it,” he said. “Not so much with them producing pros, but them developing pros. I don’t think at any other school, there’s only a few, where you can get that certain level of development. That’s major for me.”
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