UPDATES
* The Lineal Boxing Champion monthly ratings are produced by an international panel of 10 boxing analysts. Boxers are ranked according to ability and accomplishments in their respective weight classes. Fighters may be removed if they have been inactive for over 18 months and still have no fights scheduled.
Junior Flyweight
*Our ratings update on January 14th, prior to Plata Vs Clavel, removed Estrada because of more than 18 months inactivity at 108lb, and removed Yokasta Valle due to her formal announcement of her intentions to go back to 105lb (Valle had vacated her WBO 108lb belt and had been removed from the IBF 108lb ratings, and also stated her declared her aim being to unify titles at 105lb). Bopp entered the top five. Clavel Vs Plata was a “#1 vs #2” match-up in our ratings and crowned a new Lineal Champion. Incidentally, if Valle was discounted, the top two women in ESPN’s 108lb rankings (on January 14) were also Clavel and Plata. Additionally, bearing in mind the WBO/IBF belts were vacant, Clavel/Plata was effectively an “undisputed” fight.
With Plata now recognised as the Lineal Champion, #2 - #4 each move up one place, creating space at #5. Undefeated Tania Enriquez, 20-0, who challenges Evelin Bermudez on March 10, therefore enters at #5.
Featherweight
On February 4th, Serrano and Cruz – our #1 and #2 ranked featherweight, respectively – fight in a bout that will crown the inaugural Lineal Champion at 126lb. Incidentally, the bout is an “undisputed” fight and Serrano/Cruz are also ranked as the top two featherweight in the divisional rankings produced by The Ring and ESPN. Although The Ring awarded their belt to Serrano for beating Mahfoud in 2022, at the time, Mahfoud was only rated #3 at 126lb in our ratings, #3 in ESPN’s and #3 in Ring’s divisional rankings. Serrano Vs Cruz will crown the true champion of the weight class.
Heavyweight
Meleisea defeated Hemingway on December 9th, meaning the two New Zealanders switch places.
David Avila: 2019 Inductee IWBHF. Journalist at The Sweet Science. California, USA. @AvilaBoxing
Anthony Cocks: Journalist for Max Boxing, and previous contributions for Boxing Monthly. Australia. @el_pollo_loco
Daniel Yanofsky: Boxing journalist for The Sporting News. New York, USA. @DanYanofsky
Ireneusz Fryszkowski: Boxing Journalist. Poland. @RingBlogpl
Julian Haramoure: Boxing journalist, including articles for Argentina Amateur Deporte and ElRoundFinal.com. Argentina. @JulianFunky
Yuriko Miyata: Boxing journalist, including articles for The Ring and ThePrizeFighters.com. Japan. @Yuriyuri0803
GM Ross: Boxing journalist. Host of Pugilistically Inclined podcast. Canada. @CanadianBoxiana
Blanca Gutierrez: Creator of Beautiful Brawlers. 2019 Inductee IWBHF. 2018 Inductee WCBHOF. USA. @bbrawlersboxing
Inaky Arzate: Boxing journalist, including articles for TUDN. Mexico. @inaky_arzate
Adam McMeeking: Member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and Editor of LinealBoxingChampion.com. United Kingdom. @TripleJabBoxing