Deontay Wilder remains in the top spot with the WBC after rival Andy Ruiz Jr. dropped three places in the new World Boxing Council ratings.
Both haven’t fought in a year. Despite the pair failing to agree a mandated WBC final eliminator to decide who faces Tyson Fury next, only Ruiz suffered a knock as Wilder stayed at the helm.
The most significant move comes as former world champion Anthony Joshua, who Ruiz stopped in six rounds, jumps to second place.
Deontay Wilder vs Anthony Joshua
This indicates that the WBC is expected to confirm any future fight between the pair in place of the Wilder vs Ruiz eliminator.
Wilder vs Ruiz has had ample time to get over the line. However, Wilder claims Ruiz priced himself out of the fight. Even though “The Bronze Bomber” and his trainer, Malik Scott, released their gripes about Ruiz into the public domain, the WBC did not act to insist on a purse bid.
Instead, they have ditched Ruiz like a bad habit and pushed Joshua into his place. With the WBC Convention underway, it seems like a matter of time before Wilder vs Joshua gets announced as the final eliminator for Fury.
Therefore, if Wilder vs Joshua does get over the line for January or February in Saudi Arabia, the winner will be in a prime position to challenge Fury by the end of the year.
If “The Gypsy King” doesn’t agree to face whoever comes out on top, he then faces being stripped of the title.
Fans have not taken to Fury’s latest effort against MMA fighter Francis Ngannou very well. Many believe Fury should have given someone in the WBC top fifteen their opportunity over the Nigerian.
The excellent news is Fury will not be able to do similar once an official challenger is in place.
WBC Heavyweight Rankings – September 2023
1 Deontay Wilder US
2 Anthony Joshua GB
3 Arslanbek Makhmudov Canada NABF
4 Frank Sanchez Cuba CONTINENTAL AMERICAS
5 Andy Ruiz Jr. Mexico/US
6 Jared Anderson US USWBC
7 Efe Ajagba Nigeria/US SILVER
8 Dillian Whyte GB
9 Martin Bakole Congo/GB
10 Joseph Parker New Zealand
11 Filip Hrgovic Croatia
12 Daniel Dubois GB
13 Agit Kabayel Germany EBU
14 Otto Wallin Sweden
15 Bakhodir Jalolov Uzbekistan
Voluntary Cut-off
16 Zhan Kossobutskiy Kazakhstan
17 Luis Ortiz Cuba
18 Fabio Wardley GB BBBOFC
19 Dereck Chisora GB
20 Justis Huni Australia OPBF
21 Carlos Takam Cameroon
22 Jermaine Franklin US
23 Simon Kean Canada
24 Charles Martin US
25 Tony Yoka France
26 Mourad Aliev France INTL SILVER
27 Oleksandr Zakhozhy Ukraine/Germany
28 Frazer Clarke GB
29 Joseph Goodall Australia
30 Joe Cusumano US
31 Robert Helenius Finland
32 Ivan Dychko Kazakhstan
33 Jonathan Guidry US
34 Lenier Pero Cuba
35 Jose Larduet Cuba/Germany
36 Jerry Forrest US
37 Kacper Meyna Poland FRANCOPHONE
38 Jack Mulowayi Belgium
39 Brandon Moore US
40 Demsey McKean Australia
