The Ring first introduced its divisional ratings in 1925. 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, debate takes place, and the final decision on who should be ranked where is decided democratically every week. It sounds easy, but this can be an arduous and time-consuming process.

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

After a busy first half of 2025 to compile another divisional breakdown.

Next up is bantamweight, which is currently run by the Japanese, who hold all four sanctioning body belts. As always, please enjoy the debate and respect other people’s opinions.

RECORD: 31-0 (24 KOs)

THE PAST: The heavy-handed boxer-puncher scored impressive early wins over future or former world champions Masamichi Yabuki (UD 4), Seigo Yuri Akui (TKO 6) and Milan Melindo (TKO 6). Covid stymied his progress for 13 months before he won the vacant WBO title against Giemel Magramo (TKO 8). Two successful defenses followed before he moved up to 115-pounds and captured 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. The 27-year-old has made four defenses including adding the IBF title to his collection when he stopped Ryosuke Nishida (RTD 6) on June 8.

THE FUTURE: It looks like Nakatani will vacate his belts and test the waters at 122-pounds ahead of a potential blockbuster against countryman Naoya Inoue in 2026.

RECORD: 12-0-3 (8 KOs)

THE PAST: He won his first five 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). The 29-year-old solidified his status with four defenses. He upset Takuma Inoue (UD 12) to win the WBA title. In his first defense, he was held to a draw in a rematch by Higa (D 12).

THE FUTURE: A medical issue saw him become Champion in Recess. However, he was on hand to call out Vargas, who was made up to full champion in his absense.

RECORD: 11-0 (9 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 29-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. He has since made two defenses, including one against Higa (UD 12).

THE FUTURE: He will face Christian Medina on September 14.

RECORD: 10-1 (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 29-year-old southpaw followed that by dominating former WBC flyweight titlist 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 assent beating Mexico’s Christian Medina (UD 12) in an IBF eliminator and then Emmanuel Rodriguez (UD 12) to become IBF titleholder. After one successful defense he was unseated by Nakatani (RTD 6) in a unification.

THE FUTURE: It appears Nishida will be moving to junior featherweight once he's recovered from a dislocated shoulder in his loss.

RECORD: 20-2 (5 KOs)

THE PAST: Although talented in his own right, he is 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 29-year-old beat Keita Kurihara (TD 9) to pick up the OPBF 118-pound belt. He then moved up to 122-pounds for a period before reverting back to 118 in the wake of Naoya vacating his undisputed championship. He picked up the vacant WBA title against Liborio Solis (UD 12) and made two defenses, including a career best, halting former junior bantamweight titlist Jerwin Ancajas (KO 9). Surprisingly lost his title to Tsutsumi (UD 12)

THE FUTURE: Not been seen since he lost to Tsutsumi last October. Perhaps he'll return in the fall.

RECORD: 21-3-3 (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 failed weight saw him upset by Cristofer Rosales (TKO 9). He didn't fight for 22-months and returned at bantamweight. In his second bout back he drew with Tsutsumi (D 10) and then lost to Nishida (UD 12). Righted the ship before narrowly losing to Takei (UD 12) in a WBO title shot and then drew against Tsutsumi (D 12) and Vargas (D 12) in WBA title efforts.

THE FUTURE: Announced his retirement in the wake of the Vargas draw but looks like he'll continue.

RECORD: 19-1-1 (11 KOs)

THE PAST: Vargas was a good amateur who represented America at the 2016 Olympics. After notching ten consecutive wins, he was stunningly upset by unheralded Jose Maria Cardenas (KO 1). He has rebounded strongly with ten victories, beating faded former flyweight titleholder Hernan Marquez (UD10), streaking fringe contender Jonathan Rodriguez (RTD7) and Winston Guerrero (TKO10) for the WBA Interim title and has since been upgraded to full champion. In his maiden defense, he needed a last round knockdown to salvage a draw and keep the title against Higa (D 12).

THE FUTURE: He could be headed for another trip to Japan, this time to face Tsutsumi to consolidate the WBA title, possibly in the fall.

RECORD: 7-0 (2 KOs)

THE PAST: Nasukawa came to prominence after a standout MMA and kickboxing career. The soon to be 27-year-old engaged in an exhibition against boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2018. He reverted to boxing in April 2023. Since then, he has improved immeasurably and notably has wins over Jason Moloney (UD 10) and Victor Santillan (UD 10).

THE FUTURE: If Nakatani moves up Nasukawa could be primed to face the vastly more experienced Mexican Juan Francisco Estrada for the vacant WBC title.

RECORD: 27-4 (19 KOs)

THE PAST: Moloney comfortably climbed the rankings and stopped former titleholder Kohei Kono (TKO 6) in 2018. The 34-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, IBF and WBA titleholder Naoya Inoue (L KO 7).

Again Moloney worked his way up and beat Nawaphon Sor Rungvisai (UD 12) in a WBC eliminator. 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) and is coming off a defeat to Tenshin Nasukawa (UD 10).

THE FUTURE: He's actively campaigning for a fight against Nonito Donaire or Andrew Cain.

RECORD: 13-1 (6 KOs)

THE PAST: Cintron represented Puerto Rico at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics before turning professional in 2017. The skilled southpaw worked his way up with 11 wins before coming unstuck against then WBO junior bantamweight titlist Kazuto Ioka (UD 12) in December 2019. The now 30-year-old didn't fight again for four-and-a-half years before resurfacing with a pair of wins, notably beating Rashib Martinez (UD 10) on November 9.

THE FUTURE: Apparently has a fight in the works, which will help as he needs to build on last years momentum.

RECORD: 14-0 (9 KOs)

THE PAST: The Filipino turned professional in 2020 and fought exclusively in his homeland until venturing to Japan, where he won the Interim OPBF title with a first-round finish against Tulio Dekanarudo in December. He became the full champion three months later, when doing the same against four-time champion Keita Kurihara. The 22-year-old returned to score an eighth-round stoppage win over grizzled veteran Luis Concepcion on Sunday.

THE FUTURE: Tabbed to face IBF/WBO Inter-Continental champion Landi Ngxeke (16-1-1, 8 KOs) in Kyrgyzstan, on October 26.

Michael Angeletti, Andrew Cain, Juan Francisco Estrada, Riku Masuda and Jose Salas.

Click here for the pound-for-pound review, as well as the first four divisions assessed - the strawweights, followed by the junior-flyweights, the flyweight class and the junior bantamweight division.

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at elraincoat@live.co.uk and you can follow him on X @AnsonWainwr1ght.