Ring Ratings Update: O'Shaquie Foster advances, Tyson Fury's ranking is debated
03/11/2023 06:32
The attention of the casual fans (and just plain curious observers) around the world focused on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last Saturday to witness what would happen when unbeaten WBC heavyweight titleholder Tyson Fury took on MMA standout Francis Ngannou, who was making his pro boxing debut.
On the same day, a much, much smaller group of hardcore fans tuned into a live DAZN stream from Cancun, Mexico where 130-pound titleholder O'Shaquie Foster defended his WBC belt against hard-charing challenger Eduardo "Rocky" Hernandez.
The junior lightweights delivered in a big way. The Ring's No. 1-rated heavyweight, not so much. Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs), who had to pick himself off the canvas in Round 3 before struggling to the 10-round finish line against Ngannou, was fortunate to get by with a close split-decision victory. Although Ngannou (0-1) was a better boxer than most expected, it was not a good fight (nor was it a good look for the sport).
The No. 1-rated heavyweight should not have found himself in this position vs. an MMA fighter.
Foster-Hernandez, on the other hand, was as good as boxing gets. Foster (21-2, 12 KOs), The Ring's No. 5-rated junior lightweight, was forced to dig deep during the championship rounds of a bout he was losing on two of the official scorecards – producing a very strong Round of the Year candidate in the 11th before stopping Hernandez in the 12th.
Adam Abramowitz suggested that Foster advance at least two spots.
"Foster going into hostile territory and KO'ing the puncher is special stuff," Abramowitz said. "I'd move him up to No. 3. And I could see arguments that he could place higher."
Anson Wainwright suggested a move to No. 4 – for now.
"I think he can go up from No. 5, above [Oscar] Valdez," said Wainwright, "and I guess there's an argument [that he can go] above [Joe] Cordina, who will have his right to reply this weekend. I think [Foster should move] up one place."
Abraham Gonzalez agreed with the one-spot move.
"I would move O’Shaquie Foster to No. 4," Gonzalez said. "He knew that he had to do something special to get out of Mexico with his title and he did just that. The 11th round was a classic and stopping Hernandez in the last round is reason enough to have him move up at least one spot. I could also see him move up more if you all think Hector Luis Garcia should move back a little."
Your favorite Editor-In-Chief chimed in with his two cents on Foster and Fury.
"I think Foster should move to No. 3. I also think we should consider dropping Tyson Fury a notch or two for looking like st against Ngannou and almost losing to an MMA veteran making his boxing pro debut. The No. 1-rated heavyweight should dominate a guy like Ngannou.
"I know Fury’s got two stoppage victories over our No. 2-rated heavyweight [Deontay Wilder], but this is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately sport. Also, if Wilder doesn’t get a fight scheduled soon, he’s not going to be in the rankings."
DiegoMorilla suggested a drastic drop for the former two-time Ring Magazine heavyweight champ.
"I don’t know why we won’t even have a discussion about dropping Fury at least to No. 10 for that performance against a debutant," said Morilla, who also voted for Foster to move to No. 3. "If not, we should rate Ngannou at No. 10 and let all hell break loose. There have to be consequences after this debacle."