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RING Ratings Update: Spence impresses in a deep division

Fighters Network
19
Apr
Photo by Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment

Photo by Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment

Errol Spence Jr. made a strong statement with his sensational fifth-round knockout of Chris Algieri on Saturday, one that might typically catapult a gifted fighter up the RING divisional ratings.

The problem for Spence (No. 7 last week) is that he fights in a star-laden weight class, one in which those ahead of him have accomplished more than he has in his 3-plus-year career. Nos. 1-6 look like this:

1. Kell Brook
2. Amir Khan
3. Keith Thurman
4. Shawn Porter
5. Tim Bradley
6. Danny Garcia

Thus, while we are as impressed as anyone with his performance against a solid opponent, Spence will hold his position for now.



In other divisions:

CRUISERWEIGHT

Krzysztof Glowacki (No. 3 last week) put Steve Cunningham (unrated last week) down four times en route to a unanimous-decision victory that preserved his WBO title on Saturday, which followed his knockout of Marco Huck last August.

We considered moving Glowacki ahead of WBA titleholder Denis Lebedev (No. 2 last week) based on his strong back-to-back performances but decided to put that decision in Lebedev’s hands: The Russian is scheduled to fight Victor Ramirez in a title-unification bout on May 21 in Moscow.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

Vyacheslav Shabranskyy (No. 10 last week) retains his position after stopping Derrick Findley (unrated last week) after three rounds Friday in Los Angeles.

LIGHTWEIGHT

Time for new blood. Miguel Vazquez out, Felix Verdejo in.

Verdejo (unrated last week) remained unbeaten with a unanimous-decision victory over Jose Luis Rodriguez (unrated last week) Saturday in Puerto Rico, where Verdejo is evolving into a star.

Vazquez (No. 10 last week) is coming off a unanimous-decision loss to Algenis Mendez (who was recently stopped by Robert Easter) and is 1-2 in his last three fights.

Thus, Verdejo replaces Vazquez at No. 10.

JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT

Jose Pedraza (No. 7 last week) looked impressive in unanimous-decision victory over Stephen Smith (unrated last week) on Saturday. The Puerto Rican holds his position.

FEATHERWEIGHT

Gary Russell Jr. (No. 2 last week) overwhelmed Patrick Hyland on Saturday, stopping the Irishman in the second round. Russell remains behind No. 1 Vasyl Lomachenko, who outpointed him in 2014.

JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT

Randy Petalcorin (No. 2 last week) and Omari Kimweri (unrated last week) took part in a strange fight Friday in Victoria, Australia.

Kimweri, who is based in Australia, hit the canvas four times but referee Malcolm Bulner ruled that no knockdowns had taken place and Kimweri won a split decision. The WBC, which sanctioned the bout, is investigating.

In light of the controversy, we decided to leave Petalcorin at No. 2.

Also, Yu Kimura (No. 9 last week) has announced his retirement. Veteran Moises Fuentes enters at No. 10 to fill the void.

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