ESPN’s divisional boxing rankings highlight the best in the sport in every weight class. They will change often, based on recent results and performances. Rankings are based on what a fighter has accomplished in the weight division in which he is ranked. A fighter who has announced he is moving up or down to a new weight division will not be ranked in a new weight class until he actually fights in that weight class (and warrants being ranked). Fighters that currently own titles in two different divisions will be ranked in both weight classes.
Fighters who haven’t competed in the past 15 months — and don’t have a fight scheduled — will be dropped from the rankings. Any fighter who tests positive for a performance-enhancing substance will also be removed from the rankings. That boxer will be eligible to re-enter the rankings after the following bout.
Undisputed junior welterweight champion Josh Taylor won a controversial decision over Jack Catterall, but the performance wasn’t even enough to keep him at No. 1 in the division. All our panelists voted Caterall as the new best 140 pounder, even in defeat.
“The general consensus is that Jack Catterall clearly won the fight, and that’s what I saw, too,” ESPN boxing writer Mike Coppinger said about his decision to put Catterall at No. 1. “I don’t see reason why Catterall should be penalized in ESPN’s rankings just because three judges didn’t deliver the correct verdict.”
Catterall told ESPN that regardless of the result, his performance against Taylor was what fans will remember.
“The world knows who I am now, not just people inside U.K. boxing,” Catterall said. “Regardless of getting my hand raised, I’ve proved I’m the top man in this division.”
Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez dominated flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez in an splendid performance in a junior bantamweight bout, but still didn’t overtake Juan Francsico Estrada for the…
Source : espn
