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, working my way up from strawweight to heavyweight, looking at each ranked fighter's respective achievements and gazing into my crystal ball to determine what might lie ahead.

After a busy first half of 2025, it's time to compile another divisional breakdown.

Next up is heavyweight, which has a clear No. 1 and future Hall of Famer and a solid if unspectacular supporting cast. As always, please enjoy the debate and respect other people's opinions.

RECORD: 24-0 (15 KOs)

THE PAST: Usyk, who won gold at the 2012 Olympics, cleaned out the cruiserweight division, beating Krzysztof Glowacki (UD 12), Marco Huck (TKO 10), Mairis Briedis (MD 12), Murat Gassiev (UD 12) and Tony Bellew (TKO 8), all in their home countries. After moving up to heavyweight, Usyk was hampered by injuries and the pandemic. The proud Ukrainian bested Anthony Joshua twice to pick up and defend the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles (UD 12/SD 12) adding the vacant Ring title in their rematch. He became undisputed champion when he beat WBC counterpart Tyson Fury (SD 12/ UD 12). Either side of the Fury wins, he twice beat Daniel Dubois (KO 9/KO 5).

THE FUTURE: He has yet to reveal what is next.

RECORD: 34-2-1 (24 KOs)

THE PAST: Fury went the traditional route, winning British, Commonwealth and European titles. He didn’t always impress and had to get off the canvas along the way. As a huge underdog when he shocked Wladimir Klitschko (UD 12) to become Ring, IBF, WBA and WBO champion in November 2015. His life unraveled outside the ring, and he didn't fight for two and a half years. To his credit, he turned his life around and whipped himself into shape. "The Gypsy King" had a three-fight trilogy with Deontay Wilder (D 12/TKO 7/KO 11) to lift the Ring/WBC titles. He marked time before heading to Saudi Arabia and struggling with UFC star Francis Ngannou (SD 10) in a boxing match. The 37-year-old lost two fights to Oleksandr Usyk (UD 12/SD 12).

THE FUTURE: He has suggested he'll return in 2026.

RECORD: 36-3 (24 KOs)

THE PAST: The former amateur standout from New Zealand claimed the vacant WBO title at the expense of Andy Ruiz Jr. (MD 12) in December 2016 and made two defenses before losing a unification with Anthony Joshua (UD 12) in March 2018. He lost a razor-thin decision to Dillian Whyte but won his next six fights. The 33-year-old lost a physically grueling fight against Joe Joyce (KO 11) in September 2022 but has rebounded strongly notably scoring impressive wins over Deontay Wilder (UD 12), Zhilei Zhang (MD 12) and Bakole (TKO 2) on February 22.

THE FUTURE: Parker will take on Fabio Wardley at the O2 Arena, London on October 25.

RECORD: 26-0 (17 KOs)

THE PAST: Kabayel was a professional kickboxer before switching to boxing in 2011. He won the European title in 2016 and notably beat Derek Chisora (MD 12). However, the 33-year-old’s career stalled due to a persistent shoulder injury. After a few rust-shedding exercises he regained the European title, but it was later that career has took off with dominant displays as an underdog against Arslanbek Makhmudov (TKO 4), Frank Sanchez (KO 7) and Zhilei Zhang (KO 6) to win the WBC Interim title on February 22.

THE FUTURE: He's earmarked for a homecoming in January.

RECORD: 22-3 (21 KOs)

THE PAST: Dubois was a good amateur before turning professional at 19. He won British and Commonwealth titles before coming unstuck against Joe Joyce (KO 10) in November 2020. He rebuilt but lost to Ring, IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titlist Oleksandr Usyk (KO 9). That proved a pivotal moment in his career, he stopped Jarrell Miller (TKO 10) Filip Hrgovic (TKO 8) for the IBF Interim title and shocked Anthony Joshua (KO 5) to retain his IBF title last September but was well beaten in a rematch by Usyk (KO 5) on July 19.

THE FUTURE: He has agreed to face Frank Sanchez in an IBF eliminator.

RECORD: 19-1 (14 KOs)

THE PAST: Hrgovic was a standout amateur, who claimed bronze at the 2016 Olympics. After turning professional, the big Croatian has moved steadily, when he stepped up, he barely edging past Zhilei Zhang (UD 12) to become the IBF mandatory. He came a part against Daniel Dubois (TKO 8) last June but has bounced back with two wins, the latter against David Adeleye (UD 10) on August 16.

THE FUTURE: Nothing scheduled but in the mix for more big fights.

RECORD: 19-0-1 (17 KOs)

THE PAST: Wardley had four white collar fights before turning professional in 2017. His power was evident in the way he stopped former heavyweight title challenger Eric Molina (KO 5) and Nathan Gorman (TKO 3) for the vacant British title. He dominated fellow unbeaten Adeleye (TKO 7) to add the vacant Commonwealth title in October 2023. He's proved his mettle and showcased his power in a pair of fights with Frazer Clarke (D 12/KO 1) last year and scored a thrilling come from behind knockout over Justis Huni (KO 10) on June 7.

THE FUTURE: He'll face Joseph Parker on October 25.

RECORD: 27-3-1 (22 KOs)

THE PAST: Zhang captured silver for China at the 2008 Olympics and lost narrowly to eventual gold medal winner Anthony Joshua at London 2012. "Big Bang" made his way to the pro ranks in 2014 but lost when he stepped up and faced Filip Hrgovic (UD 12) in August 2022. However, the 42-year-old Chinese southpaw scored wins over Joe Joyce (TKO 6/KO 3) in 2023. He dropped Joseph Parker twice but was outhustled, losing a 12-round majority decision. He rebounded to knock out Deontay Wilder (TKO 5) last December but has since lost to Kabayel (KO 6).

THE FUTURE: He has said he'd like to fight Derek Chisora Zhilei Zhang calls for fight with fellow heavyweight veteran Derek Chisora.

RECORD: 21-2-1 (16 KOs)

THE PAST: Bakole, who is the younger brother of former WBC cruiserweight titlist IIunga Makabu, left the Congo and with minimal amateur experience. He found a home in Scotland linking up with Billy Nelson. He lost to Michael Hunter (TKO 10) in October 2018. His rebuild was a slow burn but got the nod in France over Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka (MD 10) in May 2022. He took out Carlos Takam (TKO 4) and Jared Anderson (KO 5) to gain acclaim. Some of that lustre came off when he stepped in as a late sub and was stopped by Parker (TKO 2) in February. He returned with a draw against Efe Ajagba on May 3.

THE FUTURE: Nothing scheduled at the moment.

RECORD: 13-0 (11 KOs)

THE PAST: Itauma turned professional at 18 in January 2023. In his third and fourth fights he was taken the distance but since then nobody had gotten past the second round with the quick-fisted puncher. The 20-year-old southpaw took down the gargantuan and usually durable Mariusz Watch in two rounds, Demsey McKean in a round and, in his most recent outing, former title challenger Dillian Whyte was stopped in the opening round.

THE FUTURE: He'll face an as yet unknown opponent in Manchester, England on Dec. 13.

RECORD: 20-1-1 (14 KOs)

THE PAST: Ajagba won bronze at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, gold at the 2015 All-African Games and reached the quarter-finals of the 2016 Olympics. He left his native Nigeria and settled in Texas where he began his professional career. He lost to Frank Sanchez (UD 10) in October 2021 but returned to winning ways against then unbeaten pair Stephan Shaw (UD 10) and Zhan Kossobutskiy (DQ 4) in 2023. He edged past useful Italian Guido Vianello (SD 10) last April before being held to draw by Martin Bakole (D 10).

THE FUTURE: Walked away from a rematch with Sanchez in IBF eliminator. Waiting to see what's next.

Justis Huni, Michael Hunter, Bakhodir Jalalov, Lawrence Okolie and Frank Sanchez

Click here for the pound-for-pound review, as well as the other 16 divisions assessed - the strawweights, the junior-flyweights, the flyweights, the junior bantamweights, the bantamweights, the junior featherweights, the featherweights, the junior lightweights, the lightweights, junior welterweights, welterweights, junior middleweights, middleweights, super middleweights, light heavyweights and cruiserweights.