Boxing is not known for its consistency and unfortunately that extends to how fighters are ranked in their respective weight classes.
At present, there are four recognized governing bodies in the sport (IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO). In many instances these organisations have separate champions and completely different rankings, which only creates confusion among fight fans.
There are also independent rankings such as BoxRec, The Ring Magazine ratings and the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board. BoxRec works off an algorithm system, while the other two have a selection of boxing experts who decide their respective ratings by demographic vote.
The Sporting News has made the decision to compile its own top 12 rankings across men’s weight divisions, as well as men’s and women’s pound-for-pound lists.
Similar to The Ring and the TBRB, these ratings will be decided by our very own global boxing team on a weekly basis. As is the case with any rankings system in sport, there should be complete transparency with regard to how the decisions are made.
The following is a list of rules that are now operational for the Sporting News’ boxing ratings:
- A fighter will enter/exit the ratings based on results. However, the primary caveat is contentious/controversial…
