British Pound-for-Pound Rankings After the 3rd Quarter of 2016
While updating Bleacher Report's British pound-for-pound rankings, it became clear that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
In simple terms: Too many of the top Brits have been inactive for too long.
Hopefully that will change in the near future. October, November and December are busy months in the boxing calendar, so the landscape could shift dramatically before the year is out.
After all, an idle fighter runs the risk of slipping back in the top 20.
While reputations are taken into account, and world champions get special treatment when it comes to deciding who goes where, the rankings are very much a case of "what have you done lately?"
After that, it's all a matter of opinion. As ever, you're welcome to share yours via the comments section.
Before we start the countdown, a nod to some of the names that didn't make the grade this time around.
Honourable Mentions
1 of 21
Having only 20 spots to fill means some very good fighters have to miss out.
Chris Eubank Jr. is perhaps most notable absentee from the updated list. The middleweight was ranked No 18 at the halfway stage of the year but has been omitted from the new list after vacating the British middleweight title.
Eubank Jr. issued a rather bizarre statement explaining his decision to give up the Lonsdale strap. You can read the full version courtesy of World Boxing News—and I recommend you do so.
As for other notable absentees, Stephen Smith remains on the outside, although both he and Martin Murray are waiting for an opportunity to impress again at world level.
Luke Campbell has grand plans for his future, and he faces his toughest test to date as a pro when he takes on Derry Mathews in Liverpool on October 15.
Tyrone Nurse, Bradley Skeete and Liam Williams are all British champions who will hope to gatecrash the rankings when they're updated again at the end of 2016.
And while there is uncertainty surrounding Tyson Fury's future, look out for cousin Hughie Fury in the future.
Apologies to those who didn't even get a namecheck here—there are simply too many talented boxers and not enough space to mention you all.
20. Callum Smith
2 of 21
Previous position: 20
Record: 21-0 (16 KOs)
Next opponent: TBA (October 15)
Callum Smith clings on to 20th place because he's staying busy while waiting for a shot at a world title.
The super middleweight needed six rounds to see off Norbert Nemesapati in September, and he is due to be back out again in his home city of Liverpool during October.
Mundo has to remain patient as he heads the queue to face WBC champion Badou Jack, who can skip over his mandatory challenger by taking on James DeGale in a unification fight.
Smith is getting a little tired of waiting, as he told Micheal McKenna of the Liverpool Echo: "I think now I need a bit of a challenge, a bit of fear factor. I am mandatory for the WBC and have been (silver) champion for over a year now, so I think it's time for my shot. I believe I'm good enough, so why not now?"
It's a good question, Callum. Hopefully we will find out if he's good enough sooner rather than later.
19. George Groves
3 of 21
Previous position: 17
Record: 24-3 (18 KOs)
Next opponent: TBC
According to his Twitter account, George Groves' next opponent is due to be announced in the near future.
If you believe the whispers on social media, Chris Eubank Jr. could be in the opposite corner. Now that would be fun to watch, right?
Saint George is waiting in the wings for a shot at the WBA super middleweight crown, but the situation with that belt is complicated by champion Felix Sturm failing a drugs test.
One thing is clear—Groves needs to be in big fights.
He has looked a little more like his old self (even though he's still only 28) since teaming up with new trainer Shane McGuigan, but tick-over bouts seem pointless at this stage.
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18. Scott Quigg
4 of 21
Previous position: 16
Record: 31-1-2 (23 KOs)
Next opponent: TBA (November 26)
Scott Quigg will make his comeback on November 26, as he is booked to appear on the undercard of Anthony Joshua's next fight in Manchester, England.
The Bury boxer was forced to press pause on his professional career after needing surgery to repair a broken jaw suffered during his defeat to Carl Frampton in February.
However, the break (in both senses) has been a bit of a blessing for Quigg, as he told Bleacher Report in August: "Something was taken away from me that I loved—now I’ve got it back."
He yearns for a second crack at Frampton as he follows his domestic rival up to featherweight, but that itch will go unscratched for a while yet.
Instead, Quigg has to look elsewhere—and he's not short of options heading into a new division.
17. Amir Khan
5 of 21
Previous position: 15
Record: 31-4 (19 KOs)
Next opponent: TBC
Amir Khan has time to consider his future options while he recovers from surgery to repair a broken hand.
The Bolton boxer told Sean-Paul Doran of the Sun how the injury had bothered him for over a decade: "I’ve only been punching with 30 or 40 per cent power because it was so bad."
Khan knows plenty about the devastating power of big right hands, having left himself open to one from Saul Alvarez in May.
So where does his future lie? Not at middleweight (or a catchweight of 155 pounds to be precise), that's for sure.
The whole of Britain would like to see a huge domestic clash with Kell Brook, yet Khan may instead target a rematch with Danny Garcia.
16. Josh Warrington
6 of 21
Previous position: 19
Record: 24-0 (5 KOs)
Next opponent: TBC
Like fellow unbeaten Brit, Callum Smith, Josh Warrington is eagerly waiting for an opportunity to fight for a major belt.
The featherweight was last seen beating Patrick Hyland in July, with the result proving to be his opponent's final fight as a pro before hanging up his gloves.
Warrington even managed a rare stoppage—just the fifth of his pro career—to make sure his stock keeps on rising.
Now he needs that chance to strike gold. He's chased a fight with Welshman Lee Selby without much success, so it could be time to head down a different route.
15. Liam Smith
7 of 21
Previous position: 11
Record: 23-1-1 (13 KOs)
Next opponent: TBC
Liam Smith got the big fight he craved. What he didn't get, however, was the outcome he hoped for.
Saul Alvarez proved too much for Beefy to deal with, as the Mexican ended the Englishman's reign as WBO super welterweight champion with a ninth-round knockout win in Arlington, Texas.
Now the 28-year-old from Liverpool, England, has to work out his next move in what is a packed division.
If it's any crumb of comfort, Liam, you remain the highest-ranked Smith brother. I know that's probably a very small crumb, though.
14. Billy Joe Saunders
8 of 21
Previous position: 14
Record: 23-0 (12 KOs)
Next opponent: Artur Akavov (October 22)
Finally, finally, Billy Joe Saunders looks set to defend his WBO middleweight title.
The 27-year-old southpaw hasn't been seen in a ring since taking the belt from Andy Lee in December 2015, although a planned clash with Max Bursak earlier this year bit the dust due to a hand injury.
Saunders is scheduled to go up against Artur Akavov, a Russian-born southpaw now based in the United States, on October 22.
The plan is to deal with his next opponent so he can then move on to a blockbuster fight—with Saunders having two obvious targets fixed in his sights.
"If he [Golovkin] wants to fight in December I’m ready," he said, per BoxNation. "A unification overrules a mandatory so he can do it if he wants to. I’ll go to America and fight him. Canelo? I’ll beat him seven days a week and twice on a Sunday!"
GGG seems ready. His manager, Tom Loeffler, told Nick Parkinson of ESPN.co.uk: "From our perspective, we hope the fight with Saunders can happen because Gennady's goal is to unify all the belts in the middleweight division."
13. Lee Haskins
9 of 21
Previous position: 13
Record: 34-3 (14 KOs)
Next opponent: TBC
Lee Haskins once again got the better of Stuart Hall, albeit their rematch was close.
The second meeting between the two bantamweights saw IBF champion Haskins retain his crown with a unanimous points win at the O2 Arena in London last month.
In truth, the fight was a damp squib. Hall felt he'd done enough to even the score, having already lost to the same opponent back in 2012.
However, Haskins—a fighter who is sometimes too unorthodox for his own good—held on to his title, meaning he also remains in the same position in these rankings.
12. Nathan Cleverly
10 of 21
Previous position: New entry
Record: 30-3 (16 KOs)
Next opponent: TBC
Nathan Cleverly is a welcome addition to the top 20 after becoming a world champion for a second time.
The Welshman claimed the WBA light heavyweight title in Germany when Juergen Braehmer was forced to retire from their bout before Round 7 due to an elbow injury.
While the ending was a little disappointing for the neutral (the pair had set quite a pace through six rounds), Cleverly didn't seem too bothered at all.
A second helping could be on the cards, as Cleverly told the Press Association (h/t the Guardian): "If he [Braehmer] wants the rematch as per the contract, he can have it."
Whether Braehmer really wants to do it all over again is open for debate. What should not be questioned, however, is Clev's place in the rankings following his triumph on foreign soil.
11. Ricky Burns
11 of 21
Previous position: 12
Record: 40-5-1 (14 KOs)
Next opponent: Kiryl Relikh (October 7)
Ricky Burns' renaissance could be set to take an intriguing twist.
The 33-year-old defends his WBA super lightweight belt against the unbeaten Kiryl Relikh in Glasgow, Scotland, on October 7, but there will be more than just a title on the line for the home favourite.
According to Dan Rafael of ESPN.com, a win for the Scot creates the opportunity for a lucrative showdown with American Adrien Broner, most likely before the end of the year.
Broner—the former champion who only lost the strap on the scales—is scheduled to be in the audience at the SSE Hydro. Someone should definitely follow him around Scotland with a camera.
10. Tony Bellew
12 of 21
Previous position: 10
Record: 27-2-1 (13 KOs)
Next opponent: BJ Flores (October 15)
How can cruiserweight Tony Bellew possibly match winning a world title at the home of his beloved Everton Football Club?
Well, defending the WBC belt against BJ Flores is next up. While it's not at Goodison Park this time, Bellew still has home advantage at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England.
The fight may not jump out as being anything special on paper, but there is some animosity between the pair.
The Bomber told Sky Sports News HQ: "I finally get my chance to shut BJ Flores up. He's been following me everywhere and now is the time for him to back up his words."
Yes, Tony Bellew thinks someone else talks too much.
9. Lee Selby
13 of 21
Previous position: 7
Record: 23-1 (8 KOs)
Next opponent: TBC
"Lee Selby went to make his move in America and it has not worked out at all."
Promoter Eddie Hearn didn't pull any punches when talking to BBC Radio Wales Sport about Selby's current status of inactivity.
The Welshman last fought in April, defeating Eric Hunter to retain his IBF featherweight title. It was hoped a battle of Britain against Englishman Josh Warrington would be next, but that has failed to materialise.
Selby has also stated his wish to take on newly crowned featherweight world champion Carl Frampton.
However, while the two promotional teams have a good working relationship, The Jackal is contractually obliged to give Leo Santa Cruz a rematch.
Now it seems Lightning Lee will strike next against his new mandatory challenger, Jonathan Victor Barros, per his Instagram account.
8. Terry Flanagan
14 of 21
Previous position: 8
Record: 31-0 (12 KOs)
Next opponent: TBC
Terry Flanagan has successfully defended his WBO lightweight belt since the rankings were last updated, but a win over Mzonke Fana doesn't budge him in the rankings.
Turbo Terry looked to be stuck in neutral as he went the distance with a 42-year-old opponent who built his reputation down in the super featherweight division.
Now Flanagan and his promotional team must find a name of note to face in his next outing.
He has chased a showdown with fellow Manchester fighter Anthony Crolla without success, while Juan Diaz wants more than is being offered to travel to England, per Boxing News.
Any more bouts against guys like Fana, and Flanagan will find himself outside the top 10.
7. Anthony Joshua
15 of 21
Previous position: 9
Record: 17-0 (17 KOs)
Next opponent: TBA (November 26)
We know the date (November 26). We know the location (Manchester Arena in Manchester, England). What we don't know, however, is the identity of Anthony Joshua's next opponent.
The IBF heavyweight champion made it 17 straight knockout wins by pummelling poor Dominic Breazeale in June.
That fight took place at the O2 Arena in London, a venue that the 2012 Olympic gold medallist has made his home since turning pro.
However, he's heading up north next. Joseph Parker is the mandatory challenger, but things became really interesting when Wladimir Klitschko was suddenly free to fight.
Could Joshua-Klitschko really happen? Promoter Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports: "Percentage wise, I think it's 60-40 yes, something like that. Klitschko wants the fight, AJ wants the fight. That's always a great sign."
We all want the fight, Eddie. Make it happen.
6. Kell Brook
16 of 21
Previous position: 6
Record: 36-1 (25 KOs)
Next opponent: TBC
Kell Brook's unbeaten record came to a painful end at the hands of Gennady Golovkin in September.
Having stepped up two divisions to take on a man many rate as the best (active) pound-for-pound fighter on the planet, the Englishman saw his challenge cut short by a broken eye socket.
However, while the contest only made it to Round 5, The Special One proved he can mix it in the ring with such esteemed company.
Facing GGG has also given Brook, who is still the IBF champion at welterweight, a taste of the big time—and he liked it.
While he won't be ready for action until early 2017, the plan is to target another major name.
Brook's trainer, Dominic Ingle, told George Gigney of Boxing News: "It won’t be meaningless fights, you’ve got Amir Khan, [Miguel] Cotto, [Canelo] Alvarez and even Manny Pacquiao—or [Floyd] Mayweather if he comes out of retirement."
Although beaten by Golovkin, Brook remains in the same spot due to the size of the task he faced.
5. Anthony Crolla
17 of 21
Previous position: 2
Record: 31-5-3 (13 KOs)
Next opponent: TBC
After losing his WBA title to Jorge Linares, lightweight Anthony Crolla wants a shot at redemption.
The Manchester boxer came up short against the experienced Venezuelan in September, meaning he not only lost his belt but also missed out on picking up The Ring title.
A rematch clause in the contract means the pair are set to meet again. Per Ben Dirs of BBC Sport, promoter Eddie Hearn said: "It's the biggest fight for Linares. I don't envisage any problems."
While going back over old ground is not always wise, Crolla has never backed down from a challenge. His attitude and application isn't in doubt—but can he really avenge the loss?
Million Dollar's story has been something of a Hollywood script, going from disappointing domestic defeats to becoming a world champion after overcoming serious injuries suffered while trying to prevent a burglary.
The ever-smiling 29-year-old will be hoping to write another chapter before he's finished with boxing, but his most recent loss sees him slip back to fifth spot.
4. Jamie McDonnell
18 of 21
Previous position: 4
Record: 28-2-1 (13 KOs)
Next opponent: TBC
Jamie McDonnell is a non-mover at No 4—and non-mover sums up his activity since the last time we released the top 20.
The WBA bantamweight champion isn't without options in his division.
The WBA also has a super champion in Rau'shee Warren, and that seemed McDonnell's most likely route at one stage.
The Englishman told Liam Hoden of the Sheffield Star (h/t the Doncaster Free Press) at the start of September: "There’s a chance it [the Warren fight] will still happen. It’s all lined up, it just needs to be signed."
It hasn't been signed yet, though. An alternative option could be Lee Haskins, who retained his IBF title by beating Stuart Hall on points.
Haskins defeated McDonnell on points in an eight-round contest back in 2008. If there is a rematch, expect it to be at a more recognised boxing venue (no offence) than the Metrodome in Barnsley, England.
3. James DeGale
19 of 21
Previous position: 3
Record: 23-1 (14 KOs)
Next opponent: TBC
Back in August, super middleweights James DeGale and Badou Jack were apparently on the brink of confirming a unification fight.
Asked about negotiations, Chunky told Sky Sports: "It's nearly there."
Well, it's still not here yet.
DeGale—the holder of the IBF title—is still waiting to find out exactly when, and also where, he will be going up against WBC champion Jack.
The lack of shows confirmed by Premier Boxing Champions may explain the delay, but it can only be hoped the two finally face each other in a ring somewhere before the end of the year.
While his inactivity is a disappointment, the southpaw retains his position in the rankings due to others slipping back.
2. Tyson Fury
20 of 21
Previous position: 1
Record: 25-0 (18 KOs)
Next opponent: TBC
Tyson Fury has had an interesting few months. That's putting it mildly.
First, the heavyweight world champion failed to make it to a press conference to promote the long-overdue rematch against Wladimir Klitschko due to car issues.
He won't now make it to the ring for the fight against the Ukrainian, either. The fight—scheduled to take place on October 29 in Manchester, England—was called off due to a medical issue.
Gareth A Davies of the Telegraph reported Fury to be "afflicted with depression" and "seeking treatment for the condition."
Since that news, Dan Rafael of ESPN.co.uk revealed the boxer had allegedly tested positive for cocaine.
Fury's response? Post a picture on his Twitter account where his face was imposed onto Tony Montana, Al Pacino's famous character in the film Scarface.
He then used his social media account to announce his retirement...only to then reverse his decision a few hours later.
Yeah, it's been an interesting few months, that's for sure. We await the next development in the Tyson Fury story, but perhaps we shouldn't expect him in a ring anytime soon.
1. Carl Frampton
21 of 21
Previous position: 5
Record: 23-0 (14 KOs)
Next opponent: TBC
With Tyson Fury out of action for the foreseeable future, it is time to crown a new No. 1 in the Bleacher Report's British rankings.
After becoming a two-weight world champion with victory over Leo Santa Cruz in July, Carl Frampton deservedly takes over top spot.
Having stepped up from the super bantamweight division following his victory over domestic rival Scott Quigg, The Jackal didn't bother dipping a toe into the featherweight waters.
Instead, he jumped in at the deep end, taking on—and beating—Santa Cruz in an absorbing fight that resulted in the Northern Irishman returning home from New York with the WBA's super title.
The great news for boxing fans is the pair are set to do it all over again. Santa Cruz has activated a rematch clause in the original contract, although a date and venue are yet to be confirmed.
Frampton's success on American soil pushed him into the top 10 of The Ring magazine's pound-for-pound rankings. He's also now top of Bleacher Report's pile, too.
Do you agree with Frampton sitting at the summit? Have your say via the comments section.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
