1. Errol Spence, Jr. - While the IBF/WBC champion's ability to perform at the highest level remains a mystery following last year's self-inflicted car crash, he nonetheless deserves a ton of credit for coming right back against a top ten boxer, Danny Garcia, on December 5th. Spence's tremendous 2019 campaign featured wins over then-WBC champ Shawn Porter and four-division title holder Mikey Garcia and narrowly earned him the top spot in Boxingtalk's welterweight rankings over Terence Crawford.
2. Terence Crawford- "Bud" is set to face Kell Brook on November 14th (Brook is not ranked here because he is coming down from 154, where Boxingtalk has him at #11). Crawford would likely be favored over Spence right now, but he didn't get the BT #1 spot because his 2019 consisted of wins over the vastly overrated Amir Khan and the solid Egidijus Kavaliauskas, a campaign that was not up to par with Spence's year of Shawn Porter and Mikey Garcia. If Spence stumbles on December 5th and Crawford dominates Brook as expected, Crawford could easily be at the top of this list next time it is updated.
3. Shawn Porter- His last four outings were wins over two top ten guys, Danny Garcia and Yordenis Ugas, a top twenty guy (at the time) in Sebastian Formella plus a competitive loss to Errol Spencem, the #1 guy. An easy choice for the third spot.
4. Manny Pacquiao- The ageless Pacquiao gained the WBA title by handing Keith Thurman his first career loss, and he also beat Adrian Broner in early 2019. Not bad for a 41 year-old senator, although the clock is now ticking since he has not fought in over a year with nothing scheduled.
5. Vergil Ortiz - Perhaps this rating is a bit high compared to the Texan's resume, but Ortiz has been stepping up his opposition level with each fight. In August, he dominated and stopped Antonio Orozco, who had previously gone the distance with 140-pound title holder Jose Carlos Ramirez.
6. Yordenis Ugas- Rebounded from a loss vs. Porter with a win over previously unbeaten Omar Figueroa. This Cuban has been thrown in tough, and has won nine of his last ten, with the loss coming to Porter.
7. Danny Garcia -The former two-division champ hasn't had a top quality win in several years now, but he's set to fight Errol Spence next.
8. Mikey Garcia - Four-division champ defeated Jessie Vargas at the end of February for his first welterweight win. Recently did a television interview where he looked overweight and said he hasn't been in the gym in months.
9. Keith Thurman- The former WBA/WBC champion has only one loss, and that's to future Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao, but he looked shaky vs. Josesito Lopez in 2019 comeback, and there are legitimate questions about his physical capabilities after elbow and shoulder injuries. Inactive since July 2019.
10. Egidijus Kavaliauskas - Gave Terence Crawford a rough night and holds a valuable 2018 win over David Avanesyan. Defeated repsectable Mikael Zewski in September.
11. Kudratillo Abdukakhorov - A nightmare for announcers as well as opponents, this 17-0 Uzbeki punished proud ex-champ Luis Collazo last time out and has consistently beaten a very respectable level of boxers. Lost a potential breaktrough fight vs. Sergey Lipinets due to visa issues.
12. Maurice Hooker - Former WBO 140-pound champ defeated Uriel Perez at welterweight in December, then pulled out of a Regis Prograis fight, saying he was staying at welterweight for good.
13. Jamal James - Minnesotan has six wins in a row since 2016 loss to Yordenis Ugas. His most recent win came vs. top-twenty Thomas Dulorme for WBA interim belt.
14. Custio Clayton - Undefeated Canadian probably deserved the win over Sergey Lipinets, but even with the draw verdict, he still proved he belongs in the top twenty mix at welterweight.
15. Sergey Lipinets - Former IBF 140-pound champ retired Lamont Peterson last year; only loss is to Mikey Garcia, but easily could have been tagged with his second L following a close fight vs. Custio Clayton.
16. David Avanesyan - After losing to Kavaliauskas in 2018, this Russian had a huge 2019, winning and defending the European championship in the hometown of Spain's highly regarded Kermin Lejarraga. No fights since 2020 but has a title defense upcoming vs Josh Kelly. (defeated Kelly)
17. Jaron Ennis - Wins over Juan Carlos Abreu and Bakhtiyar Eyubov has this Philadelphian's stock on the rise. A top ten in talent, but not yet in achievment, he'd likely be the favorite vs. anyone outside of the top ten, and he has upside beyond even that.
18. Jesse Vargas - Hasn't fought since losing to Mikey Garcia in February 2020. It looks like he'll wait for his phone to ring rather than actively campaign for a big fight. Still, he's a difficult night for anyone.
19. Julius Indongo - Former unified 140-pound champion moves up a weight class to face Daniyar Yeleussinov on November 27th. It is a very risky fight for Indongo. (Note: he lost)
20. Thomas Dulorme - Puerto Rican only fought once in 2019 but it was a win over previously unbeaten Terrell Williams; Lost to Jamal James in August 2020. He's at risk of being passed up by the next class of youngsters.
21. Michael McKinson: 19-0 Brit's recent tweet makes his own best case: "My last 5 opponents have had a combined record of 71 wins 4 losses 3 draws Now compare that to the rest of the British welterweights and tell me who deserves it more?"
22. Chris Van Heerden - After losing to Errol Spence in 2015, this South African went on a really nice five-fight run. Hasn't fought since a strong win over Aslanbek Kozaev in August 2019. (Note: subsequently fought to a no contest).
23. Rashidi Ellis - Undefeated, with a good win over Eddie Gomez in November 2019, but hasn't fought since then. (Note: defeated Rocha)
24. Josh Kelly - Now 10-0-1, this British amateur star was on the fast track until a draw with Ray Robinson last year. (Note: lost to Avanesyan)
25. Sebastian Formella - Little-known German had a huge win in July, gaining the IBO title vs. previously undefeated and highly touted Thulani Mbenge. Was comprehensvely defeated by Shawn Porter.(Note: subsequent loss to Conor Benn)
26-40: 26. Amir Khan (Inactive*), 27. Omar Figueroa (Inactive*), 28. Ray Robinson (Inactive*), 29. Josesito Lopez, 30. Daniyar Yeleussinov (note: defeated Indongo), 31. Aram Amirkhanyan, 32. Abel Ramos, 33. Luis Collazo, 34. Robert Guerrero, 35. Terrell Williams (inactive*), 36. Taras Shelestyuk, 37. Alexis Rocha (Note lost to Ellis), 38. Thulani Mbenge, 39. Ivan Redkach, 40. Alessandro Riguccini
41-50: 41. Eimantas Stanionis (note: defeated DeLoach), 42. Juan Carlos Abreu, 43. Liam Taylor, 44. Ivan Golub, 45. Karen Chukhadzhian, 46. Justin DeLoach (note: lost to Stanionis), 47. Jabulani Makhense, 48. Giovani Santillan, 49. Radzhab Butaev, 50. Ahmed El Mousaoui
INELIGIBLE LIST: Alexander Besputin (PEDs) [NOTE: Besputin returned with a win on March 20th]
Watchlist: David Avanesyan defeated Josh Kelly; Janelson Bocachica defeated Mark Reyes; Yeleussinov defeated Indongo; Conor Benn; Jesus Ramos vs. Jesus Bojorquez; Adrien Broner defeated Jovanie Santiago; Stanionis defeated DeLoach; Benn defeated Formella; Crocker defeated Ilbay; Brian Ceballo
