Deontay Wilder remains eligible for a WBC heavyweight title shot despite two damaging losses in a row.
The American slugger suffered defeats to Joseph Parker via decision and Zhilei Zhang by stoppage but somehow clings to a top fifteen ranking with the World Boxing Council. The champion can select those rated in the top fifteen by the WBC for a voluntary defense.
Oleksandr Usyk holds the title after his exceptional win over Tyson Fury, who drops to number two on the list behind UK rival Anthony Joshua.
Agit Kabayel, the in-form German, is third behind Zhang, who halted Wilder in five painful rounds. Efe Ajagba is somehow sixth in front of the undefeated Jared Anderson. The American’s next opponent, Martin Bakole, comes next before Frank Sanchez, who keeps a top-ten place despite a stoppage loss to Kabayel.
Olympians Joe Joyce and Bakhodir Jalolov come next before Fabio Wardley, Arslanbek Makhmudov, Filip Hrgovic, and Luis Ortiz. The Cuban is in front of Wilder despite losing to the “Bronze Bomber” twice and to Andy Ruiz Jr, who can’t have a title shot due to his omission.
Ruiz isn’t rated in the Top 40 ahead of his clash with Jarrell Miller on August 3 in Los Angeles. Ruiz vs Miller happens on the Riyadh Season bill topped by Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov.
World Boxing Council Heavyweight Rankings – June 2024
Anthony Joshua GB
Tyson Fury GB
Agit Kabayel Germany NABF/CONTINENTAL AMERICAS
Zhilei Zhang China
Efe Ajagba Nigeria/US SILVER
Jared Anderson US USWBC
Martin Bakole Congo/GB
Frank Sanchez Cuba
Joe Joyce GB
Bakhodir Jalolov Uzbekistan
Fabio Wardley GB BBBofC/COMM
Arslanbek Makhmudov Canada
Filip Hrgovic Croatia
Luis Ortiz Cuba
Deontay Wilder US
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
