Above: Aging but still a technical wizard, Vasiliy Lomachenko (here punching Devin Haney) always provides memorable moments. (Photo by (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

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HONORABLE MENTIONS (in alphabetical order):

Zhanibek Alimkhanuly (15-0, 10 KOs), IBF/ WBO middleweight titleholder
The former amateur star has impressed since making the switch to the professional game and has collected two sanctioning body belts. The 30-year-old Kazakhstani southpaw, who is The Ring’s No. 1-rated middleweight, is a little under the radar but has the potential with a few more fights to gatecrash The Dynamite Dozen. “No one in the middleweight division can beat Alimkhanuly,” said Koizumi. “The tall, hard-hitting southpaw is as hard to defeat as remembering how to spell his last name.”

Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs), WBC heavyweight titleholder
Sometimes Fury’s press conferences are more interesting than his fights, though that’s not to say the polarizing Englishman hasn’t been involved in exciting fights. The 35-year-old self-proclaimed Gypsy King, The Ring’s No. 1-rated heavyweight, tends to fight up or down to the level of the threat in front of him. He looked decidedly average when he didn’t feel he was going to be pushed by Francis Ngannou and was nearly upset. However, when dialed in like he was against Deontay Wilder in their second contest, he can be a real force to be reckoned with. “Tyson Fury’s an entertainer. He’s a very talented individual,” said Lewis. “I’m excited because he does different things, plus he’s with a great coach as well from the Kronk, Emanuel’s nephew (SugarHill) – that’s a tip of the hat.”

Vasiliy Lomachenko (17-3, 11 KOs), three-division titleholder
The 36-year-old, currently The Ring’s No. 1-rated lightweight, is scheduled to challenge George Kambosos on May 12. While in the twilight of his hall-of-fame career, there is no doubting his outstanding ability. “I don’t care what kind of fan you are and who you like or don’t like, Vasiliy Lomachenko is a once-in-a-lifetime fighter,” said Anber. “A gifted, two-time Olympic gold medalist, Loma has challenged himself from the day he turned pro. If you cannot recognize the brilliant talent that this guy is, you clearly have no right to watch boxing.”

Subriel Matías (left) stopped Shohjahon Ergashev in his most recent fight. (Photo by Amanda Westcott/Showtime)

Subriel Matias (20-1, 20 KOs), IBF junior welterweight titleholder
The 31-year-old Puerto Rican wrecking machine is arguably the most destructive puncher the Island has produced since the legendary Felix Trinidad. His seek-and-destroy style has broken the wills of his last five opponents, who have all retired when the action got too hot for them. The Ring’s No. 3-rated junior welterweight wants the biggest names in the talent laden division but do they want to face him? 

Christian Mbilli (26-0, 22 KOs), super middleweight contender
The 2016 French Olympian has settled in Canada and regularly sees action. Mbilli fights at a frenetic pace, almost as if each round was the last. In recent times, the 28-year-old has scored one of the knockouts of the year against Nadjib Mohammedi (KO 5) and was involved in an instant classic against Carlos Gongora, of which Round 8 will live long in the memory. While Mbilli, The Ring’s No. 2-rated super middleweight, may not be a household name, his all-action, 100 mile-an-hour style should catch on soon enough. “I enjoy watching Mbilli,” said Lemieux. “He always gives the fans a great show.”

Ring Magazine cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia. (Photo courtesy of @JaiOpetaia)

David Morrell (10-0, 9 KOs), super middleweight contender
Morrell was a top amateur in Cuba before jumping to the professional ranks. Although the tall southpaw power-puncher is still somewhat unknown outside hardcore circles, he appears to be the dangerman of the super middleweight division, sitting at No. 4 in The Ring’s ratings. Morrell is too much risk versus not enough reward to the elite of the 168-pound division, but with each eye-catching performance, that will change. 

Luis Nery (35-1, 27 KOs), junior featherweight contender
Nery has won world titles at bantamweight and junior featherweight and has been in some thrilling encounters. The Mexican lost an exciting shootout to Brandon Figueroa (KO 7) but showed no ill effects while stopping Azat Hovhannisyan (KO 11) in a war of attrition that was named The Ring’s 2023 Fight of the Year. The 29-year-old is currently The Ring’s No. 5-rated 122-pound fighter.

Jai Opetaia (24-0, 19 KOs), Ring cruiserweight champ
Opetaia was a good amateur before making his way through the ranks in Australia. Though largely unknown outside his home country, he worked his way toward a world title opportunity against Mairis Briedis (UD 12) and had to hang tough after a fast start when his jaw was broken. It showed how gritty Opetaia is, but the injury meant he was sidelined for over a year. The 28-year-old has returned with a vengeance, scoring two explosive knockouts on big cards in Saudi Arabia.

Oscar Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs), junior lightweight contender
Valdez was a decorated amateur who represented Mexico at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. His fan-friendly style helped him win world titles at featherweight and junior lightweight in a productive career. He’s treated us to more than his fair share of wars. Who can forget the give-and-take firefight with the heavier Scott Quigg? The memory of Valdez sitting on a gurney after the 12-round unanimous decision, heading to hospital with a broken jaw, smiling, is etched in our minds. The 33-year-old, who is rated No. 7 by The Ring at 130 pounds, has perhaps slightly passed his prime but still figures to be in some exciting and interesting fights.

Oscar Valdez (left) was soundly outslugged but went the distance against Emanuel Navarrete in August 2023. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)

Leigh Wood (28-3, 17 KOs), featherweight/junior lightweight contender
Wood came from nowhere to upset Can Xu (TKO 12) to enter the world stage. Since that breakout performance, the 35-year-old has given us quite the rollercoaster ride. He was on the winning half of a come-from-behind, last-round knockout over Michael Conlan that was awarded The Ring’s 2022 Fight of the Year and Knockout of the Year. The Nottingham man was seemingly outboxing Mauricio Lara before being stopped in seven rounds. He returned to dominate the Mexican with a disciplined performance in a direct rematch. However, Wood, who currently sits at No. 1 at featherweight, reminded us of just how exciting he is with his most recent bout when, again behind on points, he roared back to stop Josh Warrington (TKO 7). “I call Wood the ‘English Arturo Gatti,’” said Algieri. “No matter how dire the circumstances, you can never count him out and he is always in the fight because of his heart, his will and his punch.”

GUNSLINGERS GONE COLD 

Edgar Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs), super middleweight contender 
The flashy New Yorker, who is of Puerto Rican descent, started off his career by scoring 16 consecutive first-round knockouts. That earned the now-26-year-old considerable attention. However, just like that, he saw the luster fall off when he went the distance in his next five fights. The Ring’s No. 9-rated super middleweight recently ended the knockout drought by stopping Padraig McCrory (KO 6).

Jermall Charlo (33-0, 22 KOs), WBC middleweight titleholder
Big Charlo barks a lot but can back it up and is often as exciting in the ring as he is at pre-fight press conferences. While he looked terrific against Julian Williams (KO 5) and Sergiy Derevyanchenko (UD 12), he looked flat and disinterested against Juan Macias Montiel (UD 12) and Jose Benavidez (UD 10). The 33-year-old has fought just three times since 2019. 

The Charlo twins (here in 2020) have made some questionable career choices, but their “A games” are still exciting when they show up. (Photo by Amanda Wescott / Showtime)

Jermell Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs), Ring junior middleweight champ
Just like his twin, his form has been erratic. He looked to have suffered stage fright against John Jackson when he had to dig himself out of a hole on the scorecards to score an eighth-round knockout. The Texan smashed up then-unbeaten Erickson Lubin (KO 1) and Jeison Rosario (KO 8) in a unification. Though he struggled in the first fight with Brian Castano (D 12), he doubled down and scored an eye-catching win  in their rematch to become Ring and undisputed 154-pound champion. Unable to use that momentum, he was off for a myriad of reasons for 16 months and only looked glad to be there when he lost a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision to Canelo.

Isaac Cruz (25-2-1, 17 KOs), lightweight contender
Cruz looked really good in stopping former world title challenger Diego Magdaleno (KO 1), and as a largely unknown commodity he gave Gervonta Davis a tough night out, dropping a spirited 12-round unanimous decision. Since then, the 25-year-old has advocated for a rematch while staying busy with two knockout wins against a faded Yuriorkis Gamboa (TKO 5) and undersized Eduardo Ramirez (KO 2), then struggled with Giovanni Cabrera (SD 12), barely edging home. He is currently The Ring’s No. 3-rated lightweight but is heading to 140 pounds to face Rolando Romero.

Nonito Donaire (42-8, 28 KOs), bantamweight veteran
Donaire thrilled us with his power while winning world titles in four weight classes. “The Filipino Flash” wowed us with his fight-ending left hooks against the likes of Vic Darchinyan, Fernando Montiel, Jorge Arce and, in more recent times, Nordine Oubaali and Reymart Gaballo. He has enjoyed something of a renaissance back down at bantamweight, where he currently sits at No. 5.

Roman Gonzalez (51-4, 41 KOs), junior bantamweight veteran
The beloved Nicaraguan demonstrated brutal power early in his career, but as he has moved through the weights against bigger men, we’ve seen his skills, technique and footwork come to the fore. We’ve been fortunate to witness fierce encounters with the likes of Juan Francisco Estrada (UD 12/ L SD 12/ L MD 12) and Carlos Cuadras (UD 12). He rolled back the years by beating up Kal Yafai (TKO 9) and ran rings around Julio Cesar Martinez (UD 12). He hasn’t fought since the trilogy fight with Estrada in December 2022 but has said he’s coming back, possibly up at bantamweight.

Roman Gonzalez (right) earned the Ring Magazine and WBC flyweight championship with his ninth-round stoppage of rugged Akira Yaegashi in 2014. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)

Mauricio Lara (26-3-2, 19 KOs), junior lightweight
The Mexican power-puncher was largely unknown until he upset Josh Warrington (TKO 9). An accidental head-clash rendered the return a no-contest. However, he looked like a real dangerman in the featherweight division. Leigh Wood surprisingly selected Lara as an opponent, and though the Brit was dominating, Lara found a home for his vaunted power and turned the tables to claim the WBA title in startling fashion. The 26-year-old enjoyed the moment a little too much and missed weight for the rematch, subsequently dropping a lopsided decision in which he went through the motions. His recent return up at 130 pounds didn’t fare much better, as he had to settle for a 10-round draw with a fringe contender.

Teofimo Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs), Ring junior welterweight champ
The sublimely talented Lopez is blessed across the board. He beat Vasiliy Lomachenko (UD 12) to become Ring and undisputed lightweight champion. Unfortunately, he was stuck waiting for several months for a fight with George Kambosos Jr. to happen, and when it did, Lopez turned in a flat performance that saw him lose a 12-round split decision to the rank outsider. His erratic temperament looked like it may hold him back, but he was able to find a way to dominate Josh Taylor (UD 12) to become Ring and WBO junior welterweight champion. Most recently he delivered a dud against Jamaine Ortiz (UD 12).

Regis Prograis (right) is always fun to watch — he just has the misfortune of being in the same division as Devin Haney. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Regis Prograis (29-2, 24 KOs), junior welterweight veteran
Prograis came up the hard way and lit up the now-defunct ShoBox. He arrived on the world stage by winning the WBA title against Kiryl Relikh (TKO 6) and gave Josh Taylor all he could handle in the final of the World Boxing Super Series, only narrowly losing a 12-round majority decision. The now-35-year-old claimed the vacant WBC 140-pound title by picking apart Jose Zepeda (KO 11), but “Rougarou” then struggled against Danielito Zorrilla (SD 12) and was soundly beaten by Devin Haney (UD 12). That loss saw him drop to No. 5 in The Ring’s ratings.

Deontay Wilder (43-3-1, 42 KOs), heavyweight veteran
Wilder has raw one-punch knockout power. He has almost always found a way to land his big right hand, separating several men from their senses, but due to that power there are holes in his game and they have been exploited, making him look like a rank novice at times. In the most recent example, he went through 12 listless rounds against Joseph Parker. That defeat saw the 38-year-old’s stock drop considerably as his Ring ranking plummeted to No. 9.

UNDER THE RADAR

Serhii Bohachuk (23-1, 23 KOs), junior middleweight contender
None of Bohachuk’s 24 fights have heard the final bell. The strong Ukrainian likes to fight on the front foot and aggressively looks to put it on his opponent from the opening bell. The Ring’s No. 10-rated junior middleweight will face Brian Mendoza later this month in a guaranteed shootout.

Sam Eggington (34-9, 20 KOs), junior middleweight fringe contender
Although Eggington hasn’t ever made it to world level, he has always given excellent value for money and is the epitome of exciting. His accomplishments include winning British, Commonwealth and European titles at welterweight, where he beat top amateur and crosstown rival Frankie Gavin (TKO 8) and former two-division world champion Paulie Malignaggi (KO 8). The 30-year-old hasn’t enjoyed the same success since moving up to junior middleweight but has continued to be involved in excellent fights. He was one half of a classic with Bilel Jkitou (SD 12) and just recently lost to Abass Baraou (MD 12) for the vacant European title in another thrilling encounter.

Keita Kurihara (18-8-1, 16 KOs), bantamweight fringe contender
The Japanese puncher went a pedestrian 3-4 at the beginning of his career, but after learning on the job he advanced to win the OPBF title. And though he has lost it twice, he has bounced back in direct rematches to regain his title. The 31-year-old is a kill-or-be-killed type of fighter and always gives his fans their money’s worth.

Raymond Muratalla (19-0, 16 KOs), lightweight contender
The California native enjoyed something of a breakout 2023, winning three fights, all inside the distance, to earn himself The Ring’s No. 7 spot in the talent-laden 135-pound division. The 27-year-old, who is trained by Robert Garcia and promoted by Top Rank, is looking to cement his position in the division and figures to get a title shot sooner rather than later.

Sivenathi Nontshinga (13-1, 10 KOs), IBF junior flyweight titleholder
Nontshinga has been involved in a string of exciting fights that saw him claim the IBF junior flyweight title with a rousing performance in Mexico before he was brutally knocked out in two rounds by Adrian Curiel. It was one of the best upset and knockout contenders of 2023. However, he rolled the dice and in a direct rematch headed to Mexico and scored a come-from-behind stoppage to exact revenge. The 25-year-old South African is The Ring’s No. 2-ranked junior flyweight.

Ginjiro Shigeoka (10-0, 8 KOs), IBF strawweight titleholder
Shigeoka is the latest off the conveyor belt of elite talent in Japan. When his title shot came, he easily took out Daniel Valladares (TKO 5). The diminutive southpaw likes to go forward and mixes well to head and body. The No. 3-rated strawweight could well be the present and future of boxing’s smallest weight class.

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected].

Follow @AnsonWainwright