One of boxing's most persistent debates outside of those surrounding individual boxers and specific championships is that of the various weight classes fighters compete at.
Given the weight restrictions at a championship level, the sport finds itself divided into groups of competitors and on any given day, one particular class can stand out above all others as the hottest scene for fight fans to keep tabs on.
So with that in mind, DAZN will be ranking the top 10 classes each month in their official Divisional Power Rankings.
Here are some of the criteria considered for this list:
- Individual talent: The more stars, future stars and active legends a division currently possesses, the more they'll have our attention.
- Giving fans what they want: Of course, simply having great boxers in the weight class means nothing if the stars spend their days avoiding each other and clobbering tomato cans. A great division delivers the intriguing clashes, or at least builds up to them.
- Quality fights: Regardless of name value, great action will always be important. After all, it's the great fights that enhances reputations in the first place.
- Buzz outside the ring: And, at the end of the day, positive PR and fighting talk in interviews and social media builds up interest. On the other hand, the wrong kind of publicity can sour the entire divisional scene.
So, here we go with the latest rankings!
(Last updated: Mar. 17, 2022)
1. Lightweight
George Kambosos Jr.'s thrilling upset of Teofimo Lopez in New York was followed by big wins for Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis and Vasiliy Lomachenko which ensured the division many tipped to be the one to watch in 2021 finished the year in style. Kambosos' next defence is still unconfirmed, but with Ryan Garcia about to stake his claim against Emmanuel Tagoe in April, 135lbs is about to take off again.
2. Heavyweight
After autumn championship bangers which saw Oleksandr Usyk dethrone Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury wrap up the Deontay Wilder trilogy in style, a December thriller between Joseph Parker and Derek Chisora helped continue the notion that the 'glamour division' is back after years as a sleeping giant of sorts. Fury against Whyte on April 23rd can set the big guys up for a year that has huge potential.
3. Welterweight
With Terence Crawford retiring the formidable Shawn Porter and Errol Spence Jr set for collision course with Manny Pacquiao conqueror Yordenis Ugas, a division that usually resides near the top of this list remains intriguing. However an eventual Crawford-Spence endgame (or lack thereof) could haunt the scene, even with the likes of Vergil Ortiz Jr., Jaron Ennis and Conor Benn on the rise.
4. Bantamweight
Naoya Inoue may be the dominant force at bantamweight but there’s a deep list of contenders ready to take on the Japanese monster. Filipino pair Nonito Donire and John Riel Casimero will want to settle their rivalry in the near future, and their fellow countryman Raymart Gaballo is also climbing the rankings.
5. Super-welterweight
154lbs might not have the marquee names but the depth in the division means that nobody in the top spots is safe. Jermell Charlo and Brian Castano fought to a draw earlier this year when trying to find out who the dominant fighter is, and they'll go again later this year. Underneath them, confident of grabbing top spot including Brandon Adams, Tim Tszyu and Erickson Lubin.
6. Super-bantamweight
Stephen Fulton overcame Brandon Figueroa to unify their two world titles and cap a stellar year both for his own breakout and for the weight class as a whole. Murodjon Akhmadaliev looks a serious fighter with the other two major belts in his possession, and Luis Nery will have a point to prove following his loss to Figueroa.
7. Super-flyweight
All eyes are rightly on the thrilling rivalry between Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez but below those two outstanding fighters are a number of boxers eager to prove a point. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai will believe he’s the best fighter in the division despite a narrow loss to Estrada and you also have quality competitors such as Bam Estrada, Donnie Nietes and Kazuto Ioka.
8. Super-lightweight
Josh Taylor went all out to prove he was the best fighter at 140lbs when defeating Jose Ramirez last year, but his position was placed under real danger despite escaping with a controversial win over Jack Catterall last month. With his lofty position now in doubt, Taylor, if he decides to stay at super-lightweight long-term, could have his hands full with Catterall again or Gervonta Davis. There’s also the possibility of revisiting past rivalries with Ramirez and Regis Prograis. Montana Love is another fighter worth monitoring too.
9. Featherweight
Leigh Wood's senastaional win over Michael Conlan, a modern classic, has put the eyes of the world on featherweight. A rematch between the pair is big business, and so is Wood facing Josh Warrington if the Leeds man can get win back his IBF title against Kiko Martinez. Leo Santa Cruz remains a big draw in the division while Emanuel Navarrete and Mark Magsayo also hold a lot of power.
10. Super-featherweight
Shakur Stevenson's win against Jamel Herring in October was a star-making performance and his imminent fight against Oscar Valdez is one of the best in boxing. Stevenson is quickly on his way to becoming one of boxing's biggest names so any fight featuring him will be of interest.