Ring Weights Update: Errol Spence steps out of the pound-for-pound and welterweight ranks
Errol Spence has been knocked out of the pound-for-pound rankings for not doing anything for a year (although many wanted it sooner). (Photo by Esther Lin/Showtime)
For months, die-hard fans have questioned Errol Spence's inclusion in the ring's pound-for-pound rankings. Some very busy boxing champions and bullies are challenging the former welterweight champion's retirement.
Most cited the severity of Spence's lone loss, which was inflicted at punishing hands Terence Crawford on July 29, 2023, as the main reason is that he is no longer among the best boxers in the sport. Some cited the amount of time since the 34-year-old Texan's last win, a unanimous decision over Yordenis Ugas in April 2022, while others said Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) has never really been pound-for-pound. it's worth it (and, of course, they knew it all along because they're boxing geniuses).
Well, since this week marked the one year anniversary of Crawford's loss, all comment section nerds and pound-for-pound X fans can rejoice! Spence is no longer at The Ring's pound-for-pound or welterweight level! (Many will just say “It's about time!”)
Devin Haney replaces Spence in 10th place. Haney, former lightweight champion and The Ring's No. 1-rated junior welterweight, was demoted from the legend list after his April loss to Ryan Garcia, but the Ring Ratings Panel voted to reinstate him once the New York State Athletic Commission changed hands. Garcia's majority decision victory in No-Contest follows a drug test with a banned substance.
Ryan Garcia Given One Year Suspension by NYSAC
While not as anti-Spence as some of our critics (especially all the fans who have a podcast or YouTube channel), the panel has been counting the months, weeks and days before our one-year inactivity clause kicks in. (Currently, Spence dropped to No. 10 among young, active elites — Gervonta Davis, Jesse Rodriguez again Junto Nakatani – improved following a significant victory.)
Anson Wainwright started the conversation.
“It's been a year since Errol Spence has been unemployed Wainwright. “He can go out. There is no obvious candidate to enter. I can see reasons to bring it anywhere David Benavidez, Devin Haney, Vasily Lomachenko, Shakur Stevenson or Kenshiro Teraji. I would like to see what others think.”
Added Adam Abramowitz: “I will bring back Haney at number 10. I think that's a good deal based on the outcome of (Ryan) Garcia's fight.”
Added Jake Donovan: “I agree with Adam's suggestion to put Haney on P4P No.
Added Abraham Gonzalez: “I prefer to see Kenshiro (Teraji) at No. 10 but I can see why it would make sense to put Devin Haney at No. 10. I agree with Adam.”
Added Michael Montero: “Regarding P4P, I don't have a strong opinion about who should go into that last place.
“I don't even know 10 fighters in P4P right now. But based on the names you listed, I would say that Haney is the best fit.”
Added Daisuke Sugiura: “Haney is good at P4P No. 10 for me too. It should be like that.”
Your favorite Senior Editor he reminded the panel that someone is needed to fill the void of the welterweight top 10.
“Spence also has to come out of the welterweight rankings, so who should we put in the top 10 (maybe number 10)?”
“Souleymane Cissoko he was a light middleweight for most of his career, but his last two fights were at welterweight. Raul Curiel (15-0, 13 KOs) appears to be knocking on the door. Who else is right? Blair Cobbs? (Yes!)”
Answer it Gonzalez: “I would agree with Curiel and before saying the name Blair, I was thinking Paddy Donovan over Cobbs all day. The welterweight division has gone from being a luxury division to a very young talent division.”
Added Wainwright: “Yes! The death of talent at welterweight. I haven't been able to do this since forever. I think Curiel deserves to be ranked.
“I'm good with Haney (in the pound-for-pound rankings). We had him ranked before the Garcia fight and now that has been resolved. “
Added Donovan: “Curiel is exciting but still feeling optimistic. I will go with Souleymane Cissokho or Lewis Crocker. Although all three are talking about how far we have come (down) to come up with a 10th welterweight champion.”
Added Tris Dixon: “Crocker at 10 for me.
“And yes to Haney's re-entry into P4P.”
Added Tom Gray: “Crocker gets my vote.
“Haney is back at P4P. As I said earlier, he should have come back after the result was declared No-Contest.”
Added Wasim Mather: “I'm in the middle of putting Souleymane Cissokho/Donovan at welterweight and bringing Haney back to the P4P ranks.”
Added Diego Morilla: “Tired between Curiel and Crocker at 147… anyone who needs an extra vote can get it from me 😉.
“Haney's swing vote on P4P, again.”
Solved Your Truth: “OK, thanks for everyone's input on the welterweight entry. Obviously there's no clear cut choice, so I'll pull the trigger on our new number 10, but (as usual) I'll include all your suggestions/comments on the matter in the Ring Ratings Review thread posted on it. RingTV.com.”
The way I look at it, Cissokho has only had two fights at welterweight and his tough 12 round decision over opponent Tulani Mbenge didn't sell me on his abilities. Crocker and Donovan are making a splash in the UK, but both still seem very local to me.
Donovan's most notable victory was over a former limited lightweight (Lewis Ritson). Crocker's most notable victory? I don't know. Not the 39-year-old former opponent Joel Julio (39-20), who played two rounds last April. Tell me.
Curiel (15-0, 13 KOs), a 28-year-old Mexican Olympian (2016 Summer Games), has never defeated a world champion and is clearly still being developed by his management team and Golden Boy teammates (hence Jake Umaki's “hope” ), but he's been defeated by fighters I see as reliable gatekeepers (Courtney Pennington and Kendo Castaneda) or tough guys from the Southern California fight scene (Ferdinand Kerobyan and Elias Diaz). Guadalajaran also blasted veterans who are usually tough (Brad Solomon in two rounds, Jorge Marron Jr. in one).
I went with “Cugar.”
REVIEW OF RING MEASUREMENTS (as of July 27):
POUND FOR POUND – Spence is out due to inactivity. Haney re-enters the No. 10.
HEAVYWEIGHT – Joe Joyce he is coming off a 10-round decision loss to late veteran Derek Chisora. Martin Bakole (20-1, 15 KOs), who takes No. 7-rated Jared Anderson on Saturday, coming in at No.
SUPER Middleweight – David Benavideznow he's committed to campaigning at light heavyweight, he's coming out. Bektemir Melikuziev (14-1, 10 KOs) returns to No. 10.
WELTERWEIGHT – Spence leaves. Raul Curiel comes in at number 10.
BANTAMWEIGHT – Nonito Donaire exit due to unemployment. Daigo Higa (21-2-1, 19 KOs) returns to No. 10.
STRWWEIGHT – Pedro Taduran moves to No. 2 after suffering a brutal ninth-round stoppage Ginjiro Shigeokawho comes down to Number 6.
“Taduran upset Shigeoka by stopping in the ninth round to reclaim the IBF throne,” it said. Wainwright. “I didn't see him coming. (Oscar) Collazo is now the number 1(-rated strawweight).
Doug Fischer is the Editor-in-Chief of The Ring Magazine. Email him at [email protected]. Follow him on X and IG @dougiefischer.
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