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, looking at each ranked fighter's respective achievements as I work my way up from strawweight to heavyweight. I also will gaze 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 flyweight (112 pounds), led by Ricardo Sandoval – who recently emerged with a stunning victory over Kenshiro Teraji to win two titles – and a solid supporting cast. As always, please enjoy the debate and respect other people’s opinions.

No. 1 – RICARDO SANDOVAL

RECORD: 27-2 (18 KOs)

THE PAST: The 26-year-old from the Los Angeles area turned professional across the border in Mexico in 2016. He traveled to the UK and beat former world title challenger Jay Harris (KO 8) in an IBF eliminator in 2021. However, he lost to unheralded David Jimenez (MD 12) two fights later. "El Nino" rebounded with six wins before going to Japan and getting off the canvas to relieve Kenshiro Teraji (SD 12) of his WBA and WBC titles.

THE FUTURE: Possible rematch with Teraji in the fall or maybe Galal Yafai if the Brit bypasses a second fight with Francisco Rodriguez.

No. 2 – KENSHIRO TERAJI

RECORD: 25-2 (16 KOs)

THE PAST: Teraji won the Japanese and OPBF titles early in his career before he stepped up to the world scene and won the WBC 108-pound title against Ganigan Lopez (MD 12). He made eight successful defenses before losing to Masamichi Yabuki (TKO 10) but regained his title by a third-round KO in a rematch. He scored wins over previously unbeaten Hiroto Kyoguchi (TKO 7) to claim The Ring and WBA belts, Anthony Olascuaga (TKO 9), Hekkie Budler (TKO 9) and Carlos Canizales (MD 12). He then moved up to 112 pounds last year, stopping Cristofer Rosales to win the vacant WBC title before adding the WBA strap by scoring a come-from-behind stoppage over Seigo Yuri Akui (TKO 12). However, he lost his titles to Sandoval (SD 12) last week.

THE FUTURE: Reportedly has a rematch clause, so could face Sandoval again soon.

No. 3 – SEIGO YURI AKUI

RECORD: 21-3-1 (11 KOs)

THE PAST: The Japanese fighter lost his unbeaten status to future three-weight titleholder Junto Nakatani (TKO 6) in 2017. He bounced back impressively by stopping future junior flyweight titlist Masamichi Yabuki (TKO 1) in his next fight. However, he then suffered another setback, this time against Jaysever Abcede (TKO 8). The 29-year-old went on to beat Taku Kuwahara (TKO 10), Takuya Kogawa (TKO 10) and Jayson Vayson (UD 10). He outpointed Artem Dalakian (UD 12) to win the WBA title, repeated the win over Kuwahara (UD 12) and beat Thananchai Charunphak (SD 12) before losing to Teraji (TKO 12).

THE FUTURE: Hasn't seen action since losing a hard-fought battle against Teraji. Might return later this year.

No. 4 – MASAMICHI YABUKI

RECORD: 18-4 (17 KOs)

THE PAST: Yabuki lost an early fight to future three-weight titlist Junto Nakatani (UD 4), future WBA flyweight titleholder Seigo Yuri Akui (TKO 1) and skilled Cuban Daniel Matellon (SD 8). The power-puncher upset Teraji (TKO 10) but was decisively dispatched in three rounds in a direct rematch. He scored an impressive win over Thanongsak Simsri (TKO 7) and returned after rupturng his Achilles tendon to claim the IBF 108-pound title by stopping Sivenathi Nontshinga (TKO 9). He then headed to flyweight, at which he beat up Angel Ayala (TKO 12) to win the IBF belt.

THE FUTURE: Will make his mandatory defense against the dangerous Felix Alvarado in what promises to be an exciting shootout.

No. 5 – GALAL YAFAI

RECORD: 9-1 (7 KOs)

THE PAST: Yafai failed to medal at the 2016 Olympics but returned in 2020 (delayed to 2021) and picked up gold. The youngest of three fighting brothers, he turned professional in a 10-round contest and has moved quickly. The 32-year-old southpaw holds wins over Rocco Santomauro (UD 10), once-touted Agustin Gauto (TKO 8), and Sunny Edwards (TKO 6). He is coming off a loss to Francisco Rodriguez that might be changed to a no-contest after the Mexican failed a drug test.

THE FUTURE: Has been reinstated as the WBC Interim champion and the WBC has ordered Rodriguez to fight him again, although it remains to be seen whether that will come off.

No. 6 – ANGEL AYALA

RECORD: 18-1 (8 KOs)

THE PAST: The 25-year-old Mexican burst onto the world scene when he scored a hugely impressive win over former titleholder Cristofer Rosales (UD 12) in 2022. Ayala become the first man to stop 32-fight veteran Miguel Angel Herrera (TKO 1) in his next fight. He had to get off the canvas to edge past Felix Alvarado (SD 12), delivered an emphatic stoppage of Dave Apolinario (KO 6) to win the IBF title and then lost his belt to Yabuki (TKO 10), all between 2023 and this past March.

THE FUTURE: Will likely get back into action in the coming months.

No. 7 – FELIX ALVARADO

RECORD: 42-4 (35 KOs)

THE PAST: Alvarado came up short in world title attempts against Kazuto Ioka (UD 12) and Juan Carlos Raveco (UD 12) early in his career. “El Gemelo” then reeled off 15 consecutive victories to earn a shot at the vacant IBF 108-pound belt, which he won by stopping Randy Petalcorin (TKO 7) and made two successful title defenses. The aggressive 36-year-old vacated his title to move up to 112 pounds, at which he lost an IBF title fight against Sunny Edwards (UD 12). He also lost a close fight against Angel Ayala (L UD 12), but has scored three consecutive wins at home in Nicaragua.

THE FUTURE: Headed to Japan to face IBF titlist Masamichi Yabuki in October.

No. 8 – ANTHONY OLASCUAGA

RECORD: 9-1 (6 KOs)

THE PAST: Olascuaga turned professional in 2019 and moved quickly, defeating former world title challengers Saul Juarez (UD 8) and Gilberto Pedroza (UD 8) in 2021 and '22. The Los Angeles native received a late-notice call – after only five fights – to step into a world title fight against Ring, WBA and WBC 108-pound titleholder Kenshiro Teraji but fell short (TKO 9) the next year. He rebounded by knocking out Riku Kano (KO 3) to win the vacant WBO belt last year and has since made two defenses, beating Jonathan Gonzalez (TKO 1) and Hiroto Kyoguchi (UD 12).

THE FUTURE: Nothing set as yet but you'd expect him to defend his title in the fall.

No. 9 – TOBIAS REYES

RECORD: 17-1-1 (16 KOs)

THE PAST: Reyes won the Argentine national title in his eighth fight and proceeded to pick up a number of regional titles the following few years. He went to Mexico and was held to a draw by former world title challenger Cristian Gonzalez (D 10) in 2023. The 27-year-old puncher then won three fights inside the distance before venturing to Nicaragua, where he narrowly failed to beat Felix Alvarado (SD 12) in an IBF eliminator this past December. He has since returned with a win.

THE FUTURE: Nothing confirmed but won a WBO regional title, so perhaps has his sights set on Olascuaga.

No. 10 – JUKIYA IIMURA

RECORD: 9-1 (2 KOs)

THE PAST: Imura folded in his fourth fight, a bad loss to the more experienced Esneth Domingo (TKO 6) in 2022. The 27-year-old has since won the Japanese title and made three defenses before claiming the OPBF title. He gained revenge over Domingo (UD 12) in his first defense.

THE FUTURE: Perhaps another OPBF title defense later this year.

On the Cusp: Angelino Cordova, Cristian Gonzalez, Yoali Meija, Sergio Mendoza and Yankiel Rivera,

Click here for the pound-for-pound review, as well as the first two divisions assessed - the strawweights followed by the junior-flyweight class.