Because he reached one year of inactivity without having a fight scheduled, reigning WBC heavyweight titleholder Vitali Klitschko was removed from THE RING’s rankings, causing a bit of a shuffle among the big men rated by the magazine.

At heavyweight, according to our rules Klitschko must be dropped from our ratings due to inactivity. Ruslan Chagaev, who was rated No. 6, was also dropped from the top 10. The former WBA titleholder, who lost to champ Wladimir Klitschko in 2009 and to Alexander Povetkin in 2011, has been active – fighting four times since the Povetkin loss – but against substandard opposition.

On Saturday, former contender Chris Arreola stopped once-beaten Seth Mitchell in the first round. With Vitali Klitschko, the longtime No. 1 contender, being dropped here is the new order of the division:

Champion: Wladimir Klitschko

1.     Alexander Povetkin

2.     David Haye (the former titleholder has been out for more than a year but we’re keeping Haye since he’s scheduled to fight Tyson Fury on Sept. 28.)

3.     Kubrat Pulev

4.     Tomasz Adamek

5.     Bermane Stiverne (Stiverne moved from No. 9 to No. 5 based on what he did to Arreola, boxing very well and dropping the dangerous Californian. Also, Arreola proved Saturday night that he’s still in the running, which gives Stiverne a few more props.)

6.     Tyson Fury

7.     Robert Helenius (the undefeated European has looked average in his last two fights but his level of accomplishment keeps him rated for now.)

8.     Chris Arreola (Saturday’s destruction of Mitchell last Saturday allows him to re-enter the ratings.

9.     Odlanier Solis

10.   Tony Thompson (the American veteran is back in the ratings for going on the road and beating David Price twice. He’s been active and has beaten decent guys.)

At middleweight, Denmark’s Patrick Neilsen won a UD over once beaten Patrick Majewski.  No change.

At lightweight, Ricky Burns, our No. 3 rated 135 pounder, was given a gift split-draw over Ray Beltran, who most observers believed deserved a clear decision victory over the Scottish star. Burns, who looked struggled against Chelo Gonzalez in his last fight, was dropped one place in the rankings. Beltran climbed three spots. The new 135-pound lineup is as follows: 

1.     Adrien Broner

2.     Miguel Vazquez

3.     Richard Abril

4.     Ricky Burns

5.     Fernando Beltran

6.     Antonio DeMarco

7.     Sharif Bogere

8.     Kevin Mitchell

9.     Daniel Estrada

10.   Terence Crawford

At featherweight, former 122-pound beltholder Akifumi Shimoda won a unanimous decision over Alejandro Hernandez. Undefeated prospect Ronny Rios won an eight-round decision over Jose Angel Beranza. Unrated Efrain Esquivivas stopped former 122-pound champ Rafael Marquez in the ninth round of a thrilling fight. No change.

At bantamweight, Hugo Ruiz won a majority decision over Julio Cesar Miranda. Tomas Rojas outpointed Enrique Bernache over ten.  Suriyan Sor Rungvisai scored a six-round KO over Daryl Basadre. No change.

At junior bantamweight, Srisaket  Sor Rungvisai wan a six round decision over Roque Lauro.  Daiki Kameda became a two-weight world champion outpointing Rodrigo Guerrero.  Denkaosan Kaovichit won a split decision over  former titleholder Nobao Nashiro. Kameda will enter the ratings at No. 10 replacing Liborio Solis.

At flyweight, Toshiyuki Igarashi stopped Omar Soto in none. Froilan Saydar returned to the ring with a 10-round decision over Julius Alco’s. No change.

At junior flyweight, Moses Fuentes stopped Luis De La Rosa in the first round. No change.