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
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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Shortly after the maize and blue confetti fell in celebration of Michigan’s win over UConn in the national championship game, college basketball’s transfer portal was officially opened.
According to reports, over 2,000 Division I men’s basketball players have already entered their names into the portal, which will be open for two weeks, from April 7 to April 21.
It’s a deep and talented pool of transfers who will have a significant impact on the outcome of the 2026-27 college basketball season.
We ranked the top 20 transfers to keep an eye on over the next two weeks as transfer decisions unfold.
Burton is a dual-threat scoring guard. He led the ACC in scoring with 21.3 points per game as a sophomore and then followed that up by averaging 18.5 points per game during his junior year at Notre Dame. After three seasons with the Fighting Irish, Burton enters the portal with one year of eligibility remaining.
Update: Burton has committed to play for Indiana.
Freeman is a budding star who can score at all three levels. He plays with a smoothness to his game, averaging 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game en route to earning honorable mention All-ACC honors. He was a former five-star recruit in the 2024 high school class, but he has battled injuries throughout his first two seasons at Syracuse. Freeman has two years of eligibility remaining.
Update: Freeman has committed to play for St. John’s
Sherrell is a physical presence with a strong motor on the glass. He averaged 11.1 points and 6.2 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per game as a sophomore at Alabama. In a system that emphasized high-volume 3-point shooting, his full skill set wasn’t on display. With two years of eligibility remaining, he could emerge as a do-it-all forward in a different role.
Update: Sherrell has committed to play for Indiana.
Diop is an athletic big man, and at 7-foot-1, he’s a rim-protecting presence and a capable lob threat. He averaged 13.6 points and 2.1 blocks per game in his freshman season at Arizona State. He was born in Senegal and came to the United States from Spain before last season. At 21 years old, he has more experience than most rising sophomores.
Lewis is a dynamic guard whose game is built on getting into the lane and creating for himself and his teammates. One of the best finishers in the nation, he averaged 12.2 points and 5.3 assists per game while leading Villanova to the NCAA Tournament. Lewis has three years of eligibility remaining but has also entered his name into NBA Draft consideration and the transfer portal.
Update: Lewis has committed to play for Miami.
Cyril is an imposing paint presence on both sides of the ball. He’s an elite rim-protector and efficient pick-and-roll partner. He averaged 9.3 points and 2.2 blocks per game during his sophomore season at Georgia, while only playing 21.2 minutes per game. There’s room for a breakout if the playing time increases, and Cyril has two years of eligibility remaining to prove that.
Update: Cyril has committed to play for Miami (Fla.).
Nik Khamenia was one of five freshman who played heavy minutes for Duke this past season. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Khamenia is a versatile wing and former top-20 recruit whose role was limited on a loaded Duke roster as a freshman. He averaged 5.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game. With expanded opportunity, he’s a strong candidate to make a major leap as a sophomore.
Update: Khamenia has committed to play for UConn.
Hill is another elite-level shot maker, overcoming his 6-foot-3 stature with a decisive dribble and high-arcing release. He left his mark on the 2026 NCAA Tournament, knocking down a game-winning shot to lift No. 11 seed VCU over No. 6 seed North Carolina in the first round. Hill averaged 15.0 points per game, shooting 37% from 3-point range en route to earning A-10 Sixth Man of the Year honors. He provided an offensive punch off the bench for the Rams but is certainly a starting caliber player at the high-major level with two years of eligibility remaining.
Update: Hill has committed to play for Tennessee.
Byrd is a standout on both ends of the floor. He withdrew his name from the NBA Draft last year and returned to San Diego State, where he averaged 10.4 points and 4.7 assists per game along with 1.2 blocks and 1.9 steals per contest. He was one of the top defenders in the nation this past season, earning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Update: Byrd has committed to play for Providence.
Johnson is another go-to scoring guard. He separates himself with his ability to facilitate and initiate. He averaged 16.9 points and 3.0 assists per game, leading Colorado in scoring as a freshman while coming off the bench for the first half of the season. With three years of eligibility remaining, Johnson could emerge as the face of a program and the focal point offensively.
Update: Johnson has committed to play for Texas.
Moustapha Thiam was a significant part of Cincinnati’s late-season surge, averaging 17.7 points over the final nine games. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Thiam is a crafty big man with a traditional back-to-the-basket game. He’s also an athletically-gifted defender, averaging a Big 12-best 2.6 blocks per game as a freshman at UCF and later helped Cincinnati finish 10th nationally in KenPom defensive efficiency. Entering his junior year, he’s a candidate to break out at his third program.
Vaaks is an elite perimeter shooter with good size, standing at 6-foot-7, which will allow him to consistently get his shot off no matter what level he plays at. He averaged 15.8 points per game while shooting 35% from 3-point range as a freshman at Providence. He started 14 of the final 15 games of the season, increasing his numbers to 18.0 points per game.
Update: Vaaks has committed to play for Illinois.
Shelstad is an offensive engine, creating for himself at all three levels while also facilitating for his teammates. His endless range, blinding speed and timely decision-making makes up for his size (6-foot). He earned All-Big Ten honors as a sophomore but only played 12 games during his junior year at Oregon before sustaining a season-ending hand injury. He averaged 15.6 points and 4.9 assists per game for the Ducks.
Update: Shelstad has committed to play for Louisville.
Murauskas is a three-level scorer. He uses his height to score inside, but is also a talented perimeter shooter both off the catch and dribble. He averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in his junior season at Saint Mary’s. Murauskas started his college career at Arizona, then played two seasons with the Gaels, entering the portal after head coach Randy Bennett left for Arizona State.
Haggerty is a high-level shot taker and maker, averaging 23.6 points per game on 48.9% shooting at Kansas State this past season. He previously led the American Conference in scoring at Memphis in 2024–25.
Update: Haggerty has committed to play for Texas A&M.
Robert Wright III has led two programs to the NCAA Tournament, and will seek a third school in the NCAA transfer portal. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Wright plays a downhill, attacking style, always looking to penetrate the lane with his dribble to create for himself and his teammates. He averaged 18.1 points and 4.6 assists per game for BYU during his sophomore season. He also improved as a shooter, increasing his 3-point percentage from 35.2% to 41.0%. It will be Wright’s second consecutive offseason entering the transfer portal, as he went from Baylor to BYU and now will play for a third school in three years.
Update: Wright has returned to play for BYU.
Punch is a steady interior presence on both sides of the ball, with an especially-high IQ on offense. At 6-foot-7, 245 pounds, and without a 3-point shot in his arsenal, he’s undersized and might not fit every system. However, he averaged 14.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in his sophomore season at TCU.
Update: Punch has committed to play for Texas.
Harris averaged 21.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game during his sophomore season at Wake Forest. He thrives in the mid-range, shooting 55.5% from inside the arc, but still has room to improve from the outside. Harris can be the lead scorer on a high-major team with two years of eligibility remaining.
Blackwell averaged 19.1 points per game during his junior season at Wisconsin. In his three seasons in Madison, the Badgers were unable to advance past the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, so Blackwell is seeking a place to compete for his final season of eligibility.
Flory Bidunga won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in his sophomore season at Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Bidunga averaged 13.3 points and 2.6 blocks per game during his sophomore season at Kansas. His rim-protection prowess earned him Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors and a spot on the all-conference team. Bidunga entered his name into the NBA Draft, while keeping his portal options open.
Update: Bidunga has committed to play for Louisville.
FIFA is putting more World Cup tickets on sale after angering some fans by adding new, more expensive categories.
Soccer’s governing body announced Tuesday it will make more tickets available at 11 a.m. ET Wednesday for all 104 games in Categories 1, 2 and 3 plus the new “front category” pricing it added this month.
The new category sparked online complaints from fans who said they thought the better seats in the categories they had bought tickets for were withheld and they were assigned less favorable locations.
FIFA in December put tickets on sale at prices ranging from $140 for Category 3 in the first round to $8,680 for the final, then raised prices to as much as $10,990 when sales reopened on April 1.
FIFA did not respond to an April 9 request for comment about the new ticket categories it added.
Also Tuesday, The Athletic reported that tickets sales are lagging for the U.S. opener against Paraguay on June 12 at Inglewood, California. It said a document distributed to local organizers dated April 10 said 40,934 tickets had been purchased for the U.S.-Paraguay game and 50,661 for the Iran-New Zealand contest on April 15. FIFA projects SoFi’s World Cup capacity at about 69,650, noting it may change.
FIFA’s December sale priced U.S.-Paraguay tickets at $1,120, $1,940 and $2,735, and Iran-New Zealand seats at $140, $380 and $450.
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