WBO's four new number-one contenders include Moses Itauma at heavyweight

The WBO’s latest ratings update includes the installation of four new number-one contenders.

Although the rankings were released on May 24, they were apparently based on the results through May 15 – Johnny Fisher, who was knocked out by Dave Allen in their May 17 rematch – was still ranked at heavyweight.

At heavyweight: With Justis Huni fighting Fabio Wardley for the interim WBA title on June 7, Huni was removed from the WBO’s rankings, leaving the number-one spot open. Moses Itauma, previously second, therefore moved up one position.

Oleksandr Usyk is the WBA, WBC and WBO titleholder – as well as the lineal champion. His rematch with IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois on July 19 is for the undisputed championship.

Joseph Parker has the WBO’s interim title and therefore is ahead of Itauma in line.

At cruiserweight: Lots of shuffling at 200lbs, with Chris Billam-Smith winding up at one.

Billam-Smith previously held the WBO’s cruiserweight title but lost it in a unification bout with Gilberto Ramirez in November. Billam-Smith had been ranked fourth in the WBO’s April rankings.

But Michal Cieslak, previously first, was pulled from the rankings because he will face Jean Pascal for the WBC’s interim title on June 28. Callum Johnson dropped from second to third. Tahir Kahrovic went from third to sixth. 

And Billam-Smith, who won a unanimous decision over Brandon Glanton (ninth at the time) on April 26, vaulted to first.

Ramirez remains the WBA and WBO titleholder. He is scheduled to defend against Yuniel Dorticos (ninth) on June 28.

At lightweight: Raymond Muratalla’s win over Zaur Abdullaev on May 10 won him the IBF’s interim title and therefore led to him being removed from the number-one spot in the WBO’s rankings. That led to Sam Noakes moving up from second to first.

The WBO titleholder is Keyshawn Davis. He is scheduled to face Edwin De Los Santos (14th) on June 7.

At junior featherweight: Sam Goodman has returned to the number-one spot, which he’d held before – until he once again suffered a cut and had to pull out of a fight with undisputed champion Naoya Inoue.

Carl Jammes Martin had taken Goodman’s place at first as of February but drops back down to second.

The WBO’s titleholders and number-one contenders in each weight class are:

Heavyweight: Oleksandr Usyk has the WBA, WBC and WBO titles. He was previously the undisputed champion before vacating the IBF belt. Usyk remains the lineal champ. Joseph Parker has the WBO’s interim belt; Moses Itauma is the WBO’s number-one contender. Usyk is scheduled to face IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois in a rematch for the undisputed championship on July 19.

Cruiserweight: Gilberto Ramirez has the WBA and WBO titles; Chris Billam-Smith is the WBO’s number-one contender. Ramirez is scheduled to defend against Yuniel Dorticos (ninth) on June 28.

Light heavyweight: Dmitry Bivol has the IBF, WBA and WBO titles; Callum Smith is the WBO interim titleholder; Artur Beterbiev is the number-one contender for the WBA, WBC and WBO belts. Bivol is expected to fight Beterbiev in their rubber match later in 2025.

Super middleweight: Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has all four titles; Diego Pacheco is the WBO’s number-one contender. Alvarez is expected to defend the undisputed championship against Terence Crawford (unranked at 168lbs) in September.

Middleweight: Janibek Alimkhanuly has the IBF and WBO titles; Denzel Bentley is the WBO’s number-one contender.

Junior middleweight: The primary WBO title is vacant due to Sebastian Fundora opting to have a rematch with Tim Tszyu rather than take on his mandatory challenger, Xander Zayas. Fundora remains the WBC titleholder. Zayas is expected to face Jorge Garcia Perez (second) for the vacant title on July 19. Terence Crawford is the WBO interim titleholder and the primary WBA titleholder.

Welterweight: Brian Norman Jnr has the title; Alexis Rocha is his number-one contender. Norman is scheduled to face Jin Sasaki (second) on June 19.

Junior welterweight: Teofimo Lopez Jnr has the title; Alfredo Santiago is his number-one contender. 

Lightweight: Keyshawn Davis has the title; Sam Noakes is his number-one contender. Davis is scheduled to face Edwin De Los Santos (14th) on June 7.

Junior lightweight: Emanuel Navarrete has the title; Charly Suarez, who lost a highly controversial technical decision to Navarrete on May 10, remains his number-one contender. 

Featherweight: Rafael Espinoza has the title; Bruce Carrington is his number-one contender. 

Junior featherweight: Naoya Inoue has all four titles; Sam Goodman is the IBF’s and WBO’s number-one contender.

Bantamweight: Yoshiki Takei has the title; Christian Medina is his number-one contender.

Junior bantamweight: Phumelele Cafu has the title; Roman Gonzalez is his number-one contender. Cafu is scheduled to face WBC and lineal champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez in a unification bout on July 19.

Flyweight: Anthony Olascuaga has the title; Juan Carlos Camacho is his number-one contender

Junior flyweight: Rene Santiago has the title; Regie Suganob is his number-one contender.

Minimumweight: Oscar Collazo has the WBA and WBO titles; Victorio Saludar is the WBO’s number-one contender.

David Greisman, who has covered boxing since 2004, is on Twitter. David’s book, “,” is available on Amazon.