The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2024: Bantamweight

The Ring first introduced its divisional ratings in 1925. Almost a century later, it’s no exaggeration to claim that these independent rankings are the most respected and talked-about in world boxing.

The Ring Ratings Panel is made up of a dozen experts from around the world. Opinions are shared, debates take place, and the final decision on who should be rated where is decided democratically every week. It sounds easy, but it can be an arduous and time-consuming process.

I will be going through each division in reverse order to work my way up from strawweight to heavyweight. I will then look at each rated fighter’s respective achievements and gaze into my crystal ball as to what may lay ahead.

Next up is bantamweight, which is currently ran by the Japanese, who hold all four sanctioning body belts distributed among their best fighters.

As always, please enjoy the debate and respect other people’s opinions.

 

No. 1 – JUNTO NAKATANI

RECORD: 28-0 (21 KOs)

THE PAST: The heavy-handed boxer-puncher ran through his early opposition, where he defeated future junior flyweight titlist Masamichi Yabuki (UD 4), future flyweight beltholder Seigo Yuri Akui (TKO 6) and passed the litmus test of former 108-pound titleholder Milan Melindo (TKO 6). Covid stymied the tall 26-year-old’s progress and he had to wait 13 months to win the vacant WBO title against Giemel Magramo (TKO 8). He made two defenses, including his American debut, the first one when he stopped former titleholder Angel Acosta (TKO 4) and later on the undercard of Gennadiy Golovkin-Ryota Murata, where he was equally impressive bludgeoning Ryota Yamauchi (TKO 8). Moved up to 115-pounds and beat tough Mexican Francisco Rodriguez Jr. (UD 10) before capturing the vacant WBO title with a highlight-reel knockout over Andrew Moloney (KO 11). He made one successful defense against Argi Cortes (UD 12) before heading to bantamweight where he looked every bit the future star stopping tough Mexican Alexandro Santiago (TKO 6) to annex the WBC title and has since drilled mandatory challenger Vincent Astrolabio (KO 1).

THE FUTURE: He will face WBO No. 1 Petch CP Freshmart in Tokyo on October 14.

 

No. 2 – RYOSUKE NISHIDA 

RECORD: 9-0 (1 KO)

THE PAST: Nishida turned professional in 2019 and in just his third outing he beat former world title challenger Shohei Omari (UD 8). The tall 28-year-old southpaw followed that by dominating former WBC flyweight titlist Daigo Higa (UD 12). A wrist injury in his next fight saw him spend an extended period on the sidelines. After a full recovery, he continued his rise to the top beating Mexico’s Christian Medina (UD 12) in an IBF eliminator and then defeated Emmanuel Rodriguez (UD 12) to become IBF titleholder.

THE FUTURE: His team is working towards his first defense against Anuchai Donsua in Osaka on December 15. After that, they are targeting unifications in 2025.

 

No. 3 – TAKUMA INOUE

RECORD: 20-1 (5 KOs)

THE PAST: Although talented in his own right, he lives in his older brother Naoya’s shadow. He won the OPBF 115-pound title in just his fifth fight, made two defenses before stepping up to bantamweight. He continued to gain experience before he lost his unbeaten record in a WBC title shot against Nordine Oubaali (UD 12). The 28-year-old beat Keita Kurihara (TD 9) to pick up the OPBF 118-pound belt. He then moved up to 122 pounds and beat experienced former world title challenger Shingo Wake (UD 12) and added the national title beating grizzled veteran Gukuya Furuhashi (UD 12). Last time out he outpointed Liborio Solis (UD 12) to annex the vacant WBA title. He has since made two defenses, including a career-best when he halted former junior bantamweight titlist Jerwin Ancajas (KO 9).

THE FUTURE: Inoue will meet countryman Seiya Tsutsumi in Tokyo on October 13.

No. 4 – YOSHIKI TAKEI

RECORD: 9-0 (8 KOs)

THE PAST: Takei had a very successful K1 career before coming to boxing in 2021. In just his fifth outing he won the OPBF junior featherweight title and made one defense before dropping to bantamweight where he had two bouts, and then landed a shot at Jason Moloney’s WBO title. The 28-year-old southpaw raced out into an early lead and held off the spirited Australian late on to claim the title via 12-round unanimous decision.

THE FUTURE: He will make his first title defense against fellow puncher Daigo Higa in an all-Japanese slugfest on the undercard of Inoue-Doheny on September 3.

 

No. 5 – EMMANUEL RODRIGUEZ

RECORD: 22-3 (13 KOs)

THE PAST: The former Olympic Youth champion claimed the vacant IBF title with a masterclass performance to shut out Paul Butler (UD 12). In his lone defense, the Puerto Rican boxer-puncher edged Jason Moloney (SD 12) in the WBSS before losing in startling fashion to Naoya Inoue (KO 2) in the semifinal. Rodriguez, 32, was for a long time plagued by bad luck. After spending 18 months on the sidelines due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he was robbed versus Reymart Gaballo (SD 12). In his very next start he met Gary Antonio Russell, but a head clash inside 20 seconds curtailed that fight before it had begun. He got back to winning ways in Mexico before beating Russell (TD 10) in rematch and finally regained his old IBF title by shutting out Melvin Lopez (UD 12). However, he dropped the title in his maiden defense against Ryosuke Nishida (UD 12) in an excellent fight.

THE FUTURE: Despite the title loss, he is very well known in Japan after loses to Naoya Inoue and, more recently, Nishida, so a fight with one of the other titleholders could be something to aim for.

 

No. 6 – JASON MOLONEY 

RECORD: 27-3 (19 KOs)

THE PAST: Moloney comfortably climbed the rankings and stopped former titleholder Kohei Kono (TKO 6) in 2018. The 33-year-old then took part in the WBSS, and although he lost to IBF titlist Emmanuel Rodriguez (SD 12), the Australian boxer-puncher showed more than enough to suggest that he belongs. He rebounded and got a shot at Ring champion and IBF/WBA titleholder Naoya Inoue. It proved a bridge too far, and he was stopped in seven rounds. He won three fights before landing a WBC eliminator against Nawaphon Sor Rungvisai (UD 12). When undisputed champion Inoue moved up in weight, the titles became vacant and Moloney bested Vincent Astrolabio (MD 12) to fill the WBO vacancy. He defended his belt beating Saul Sanchez (MD 12) in an exciting fight before losing it in Japan to Takei (UD 12).

THE FUTURE: Has said he’d like to face Takuma Inoue, and maybe that will happen in the fall. Otherwise, he may look to have a smaller fight to get back in the mix.

 

No. 7 – ALEXANDRO SANTIAGO

RECORD: 28-4-5 (14 KOs)

THE PAST: Santiago has overcome a couple of early setbacks to establish himself as a solid professional. The 28-year-old Mexican is already a 10-year veteran. In his first world title attempt he gave then-IBF 115-pound titlist Jerwin Ancajas (D 12) all he could handle. Santiago lost a close fight to Gary Antonio Russell (SD 10) in late 2021 and had rebounded with three wins to earn a shot at the vacant WBC title against the legendary Nonito Donaire. Showed a good chin early to come on late and claim a unanimous decision to lift the title. He lost the title in his first defense when he was stopped for the first time in his career by Nakatani (TKO 6).

THE FUTURE: Still licking his wounds from the title loss but will look to plot his return soon.

 

No. 8 – DAVID CUELLAR

RECORD: 27-0 (17 KOs)

THE PAST: Cuellar started boxing at 5 and enjoyed a good amateur career before he turned professional in 2017. Since then he has fought exclusively in Mexico. The 21-year-old has wins over previously unbeaten Karim Arce (KO 9) and former world titleholder Moises Fuentes (KO 6), who later tragically lost his life from injuries suffered in the fight. “El General” is ranked in the top 15 by all four sanctioning bodies and is well regarded in Mexican circles. He holds a win over faded former two-division titlist Luis Concepcion (TKO 8).

THE FUTURE: Building his resume and gaining experience in Mexico before he looks to get onto the world scene.

No. 9 – SEIYA TSUTSUMI

RECORD: 11-0-2 (8 KOs)

THE PAST: He won his first fight fights before a pair of draws with then unbeaten Kazuki Nakajima (D 8) and Daigo Higa (D 10). In his next bout he won the Japanese title against Kyosuke Sawada (TKO 8). He solidified his status with four defenses. The last one was particularly difficult, and though he did beat Kazuki Anaguchi (UD 10), his opponent later lost his life through injuries suffered in that bout. After time away Tsutsumi has returned with a non-title win.

THE FUTURE: He will get his first world title opportunity against Takuma Inoue on October 13.

 

No. 10 – DAIGO HIGA

RECORD: 21-2-1 (19 KOs)

THE PAST: The Japanese fighter burst on to the scene beating his first 12 opponents, all inside the distance, claiming WBC regional and OPBF titles at flyweight. At 21, he landed a fight with Juan Hernandez for the WBC title and bludgeoned him into defeat in six rounds. He made two defenses and seemed primed for a long reign. However, a quick turnaround and weight issues ended with him suffering an upset at the hands of Cristofer Rosales (TKO 9). He didn’t fight for 22 months and returned at bantamweight. In his second bout back he drew with Tsutsumi and then dropped a lopsided decision to Nishida (UD 12). He took more time off, and has since returned with four wins.

THE FUTURE: He will challenge WBO boss Takei in what looks like an exciting matching.

 

On the Cusp: Vincent Astrolabio, Paul Butler, Tenshin Nasukawa, Saul Sanchez and Antonio Vargas.

 

YOU MAY HAVE MISSED: 

The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2024: Pound for Pound – The Ring (ringtv.com)

The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2024: Strawweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)

The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2024: Junior flyweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)

The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2024: Flyweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)

The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2024: Junior bantamweight – The Ring (ringtv.com)

 

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at elraincoat@live.co.uk.

Follow @AnsonWainwright

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