Angelo Leo’s dramatic KO win puts featherweight elite on notice

Angelo Leo needs one punch to flatten Venado Lopez and claim the IBF belt for the knockout of the year candidate. (1:46)

Angelo Leo is ready for the spotlight.

Leo, previously unranked in our ESPN featherweight rankings, delivered a knockout-of-the-year highlight versus Luis Alberto Lopez to become the new IBF featherweight champion this past Saturday. Lopez was ranked No. 1 in ESPN’s 126-pound rankings.

“Fighting back in my hometown, I always yearned for this moment,” said Leo, 30, after the fight. “What better way to do it than with a world title shot and a knockout. That left hook we’ve been practicing all camp.”

As a result, Leo has now catapulted himself to No. 5, while Lopez falls to No. 6.

ESPN’s divisional boxing rankings highlight the best in the sport in every weight class. They will change often, based on recent results and performances. Rankings are based on what a fighter has accomplished in the weight division in which he is ranked. Fighters who have announced they are moving to a different weight class will be ranked in that new division, if warranted, only once they fight in that weight class. Fighters who currently own titles in two divisions can be ranked in both.

Fighters who haven’t competed in the past 12 months — and don’t have a fight scheduled — will be dropped from the rankings until they fight again. Any fighter who tests positive for a performance-enhancing substance will also be removed. That boxer will be eligible to re-enter the rankings after his next bout.

Rankings are determined by Mike Coppinger, Nick Parkinson, Damian Delgado Averhoff and Andres Ferrari. They are updated weekly on Tuesdays.

For a list of the current champions in all weight classes, click here. For ESPN women’s divisional rankings, click here.

Heavyweight – Cruiserweight – Light heavyweight – Super middleweight – Middleweight – Junior middleweight – Welterweight – Junior welterweight – Lightweight – Junior lightweight – Featherweight – Junior featherweight – Bantamweight – Junior bantamweight – Flyweight – Junior flyweight – Strawweight

Record: 22-0, 14 KOs
Last: W (SD12) Tyson Fury, May 18 (Watch this fight on ESPN+ PPV)
Next: Dec. 21 vs. Tyson Fury

Record: 34-1-1, 24 KOs
Last: L (SD12) Oleksandr Usyk, May 18 (Watch this fight on ESPN+ PPV)
Next: Dec. 21 vs. Oleksandr Usyk

Record: 28-3, 25 KOs
Last: W (KO2) Francis Ngannou, March 8
Next: Sept. 21 vs. Daniel Dubois

Record: 35-3, 23 KOs
Last: W (MD12) Zhilei Zhang, March 8
Next: TBA

Record: 27-2-1, 22 KOs
Last: W (KO5) Deontay Wilder, June 1
Next: TBA

Record: 21-2, 20 KOs
Last: W (TKO8) Filip Hrgovic, June 1
Next: Sept. 21 vs. Anthony Joshua

Record: 21-1, 16 KOs
Last: W (KO5) Jared Anderson, Aug. 3
Next: TBA

Record: 25-0, 17 KOs
Last: W (KO7) Frank Sanchez, May 18
Next: TBA

Record: 35-2-1, 22 KOs
Last: Draw (MD12) Jarrell Miller, Aug. 3
Next: TBA

Record: 26-1-2, 22 KOs
Last: Draw (MD12) Andy Ruiz Jr., Aug. 3
Next: TBA

Record: 25-0, 19 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Mairis Briedis, May 18
Next: TBA

Record: 20-1, 13 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Richard Riakporhe, June 15
Next: TBA

Record: 28-3, 20 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Jai Opetaia, May 18
Next: TBA

Record: 27-2, 12 KOs
Last: W (TKO3) Ilunga Makabu, Nov. 4
Next: TBD

Record: 45-1, 30 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Arsen Goulamirian, March 30
Next: TBA

Record: 48-6, 32 KOs
Last: W (TKO8) Jean Jacques Olivier, April 20
Next: TBA

Record: 22-2, 31 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Isaac Chamberlain, June 15
Next: TBA

Record: 17-1, 13 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Chris Billam-Smith, June 15
Next: TBA

Record: 26-2, 20 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Juan Diaz, April 20
Next: TBA

Record: 20-1, 19 KOs
Last: W (TKO1) Olanrewaju Durodola, Dec. 2
Next: TBA

Editor’s note: Badou Jack and Yuniel Dorticos have been removed for inactivity.

Artur Beterbiev demolishes Callum Smith in Round 7 of their bout to retain his titles in the main event of Top Rank Boxing.

Record: 23-0, 12 KOs
Last: W (TKO6) Malik Zinad, June 1
Next: Oct. 12 vs. Artur Beterbiev

Record: 20-0, 20 KOs
Last: W (TKO7) Callum Smith, Jan. 13
Next: Oct. 12 vs. Dmitry Bivol

Record: 29-0, 24 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Oleksandr Gvozdyk, June 15
Next: TBA

Record: 11-0, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Radivoje Kalajdzic, Aug. 3
Next: TBA

Record: 18-0, 13 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Dan Azeez, Feb. 3
Next: Sept. 21 vs. Willy Hutchinson

Record: 25-3, 24 KOs
Last: W (TKO3) Marko Nikolic, Feb. 10
Next: TBA

Record: 29-2, 21 KOs
Last: L (TKO7) Artur Beterbiev, Jan. 13
Next: TBA

Record: 20-2, 16 KOs
Last: L (UD12) David Benavidez, June 15
Next: TBA

Record: 18-1, 13 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Craig Richards, June 1
Next: Sept. 21 vs. Joshua Buatsi

Record: 24-2, 16 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Liam Cameron, June 21
Next: TBA

Record: 61-2-2, 39 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Jaime Munguia, May 4
Next: Sept. 14 vs. Edgar Berlanga

Record: 27-0, 23 KOs
Last: W (KO1) Mark Heffron, May 25
Next: Aug. 17 vs. Sergiy Derevyanchenko

Record: 43-1, 34 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Canelo Alvarez, May 4
Next: TBA

Record: 21-0, 17 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Shawn McCalman, April 6
Next: TBA

Record: 22-0, 17 KOs
Last: W (KO6) Padraig McCrory, Feb. 24
Next: Sept. 14 vs. Canelo Alvarez

Record: 32-1, 19 KOs
Last: L (TKO6) David Benavidez, Nov. 25
Next: TBA

Record: 14-1, 10 KOs
Last: W (TD8) Pierre Dibombe, April 20
Next: TBA

Record: 32-0-1, 23 KOs
Last: Draw (SD10) Shakeel Phinn, May 2
Next: TBA

Record: 23-0, 20 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Durval Elias Palacio, June 13
Next: TBA

Record: 11-0, 10 KOs
Last: W (KO1) Evgeny Shvedenko, June 6
Next: Sena Agbeko

Editor’s note: David Benavidez moved up to light heavyweight. Caleb Plant has been removed for inactivity.

Janibek Alimkhanuly unifies two middleweight titles with a sixth-round stoppage of Vincenzo Gualtieri.

Record: 15-0, 10 KOs
Last: W (TKO6) Vincenzo Gualtieri, Oct. 14 (Watch this fight on ESPN+)
Next: TBA

Record: 24-1, 18 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Terrell Gausha, June 15
Next: TBA

Record: 33-0, 22 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Jose Benavidez Jr., Nov. 25
Next: TBA

Record: 32-3, 24 KOs
Last: W (TKO10) Liam Smith, Sept. 2 (Watch this fight on ESPN+)
Next: TBA

Record: 20-0, 16 KOs
Last: W (TKO11) Austin Williams, June 1
Next: Sept. 21 vs. Tyler Denny

Record: 30-3-3, 18 KOs
Last: W (KO2) Michael Zerafa, March 30
Next: Sept. 14 vs. Danny Garcia

Record: 20-0, 11 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Julio Alamos, Nov. 17
Next: TBA

Record: 19-3-1, 6 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Elijah Garcia, June 15
Next: TBA

Record: 33-4-1, 20 KOs
Last: L (TKO10) Chris Eubank Jr., Sept. 2 (Watch this fight on ESPN+)
Next: Sept. 21 vs. Josh Kelly

Record: 19-1-1, 11 KOs
Last: W (TKO12) Nathan Heaney, July 20 20
Next: TBA

Editor’s note: Gennadiy Golovkin has been removed for inactivity.

Record: 41-0, 31 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Israil Madrimov, Aug. 3
Next: TBA

Record: 21-1-1, 13 KOs
Last: W (SD12) Tim Tszyu, March 30
Next: TBA vs. Errol Spence Jr.

Record: 10-1-1, 7 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Terence Crawford, Aug. 3
Next: TBA

Record: 24-1, 17 KOs
Last: L (SD12) Sebastian Fundora, March 30
Next: TBA

Record: 22-0, 21 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Serhii Bohachuk, Aug. 10
Next: TBD

Record: 26-2, 18 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Jesus Ramos Jr., Sept. 30
Next: TBA

Record: 24-2, 23 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Vergil Ortiz Jr., Aug. 10
Next: TBD

Record: 22-0, 16 KOs
Last: W (KO11) Jack Culcay, April 6
Next: TBA

Record: 21-1, 17 KOs
Last: W (TKO9) Johan Gonzalez, May 4
Next: TBA

Record: 19-0, 12 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Patrick Teixeira, June 8
Next: Sept. 27 vs. Damian Sosa

Editor’s note: Jermell Charlo has been removed for inactivity in the division. Brian Castano have been removed for inactivity.

Record: 32-0, 29 KOs
Last: W (TKO5) David Avanesyan, July 13
Next: TBA

Record: 28-1, 22 KOs
Last: L (TKO10) Terence Crawford, July 29
Next: TBA vs. Sebastian Fundora

Record: 15-0, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Gabriel Maestre, May 4
Next: TBA

Record: 29-2, 18 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Fabian Maidana, May 4
Next: TBA

Record: 23-0, 14 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Peter Dobson, Feb. 3
Next: TBA

Record: 26-0, 20 KOs
Last: W (KO10) Giovani Santillan, May 18
Next: TBA

Record: 17-0, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Isaias Lucero, Nov. 4
Next: TBA

Record: 16-0, 9 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Miguel Parra, July 31
Next: TBA

Record: 25-2, 16 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Santiago Dominguez, July 19
Next: TBA

Record: 17-1-1, 16 KOs
Last: W (TKO5) Joe Noynay, May 16
Next: Sept. 3 vs. Qamil Balla

Editor’s note: Cody Crowley has been removed for inactivity.

Teofimo Lopez wins via unanimous decision over Steve Claggett in Miami.

Record: 21-1, 13 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Steve Claggett, June 29
Next: TBA

Record: 31-0-1, 15 KOs
Last: No contest (NC12) Ryan Garcia, April 20
Next: TBA

Record: 29-1, 13 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Josh Taylor, May 25
Next: Oct. 26 vs. Regis Prograis

Record: 25-0, 15 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Subriel Matias, June 15
Next: TBA

Record: 14-2, 9 KOs
Last: W (SD12) Gary Antuanne Russell, June 15
Next: TBA

Record: 26-3-1, 18 KOs
Last: L (SD12)Jose Valenzuela, Aug. 3
Next: Aug. 3 vs. Jose Valenzuela

Record: 29-1, 18 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Rances Barthelemy, April 27
Next: TBA

Record: 20-2, 20 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Liam Paro, June 15
Next: TBA

Record: 29-2, 24 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Devin Haney, Dec. 9
Next: Oct. 26 vs. Jack Catterall

Record: 19-2, 13 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Jack Catterall, May 25
Next: TBA

Editor’s note: Ryan Garcia has been removed for testing positive ahead of his win over Devin Haney.

Vasiliy Lomachenko throws an onslaught of punches to the body of George Kambosos Jr. that forces the referee to stop the fight in the 11th round.

Record: 30-0, 28 KOs
Last: W (KO8) Frank Martin, June 15
Next: TBA

Record: 18-3, 12 KOs
Last: W (TKO11) George Kambosos Jr., May 11
Next: TBA

Record: 31-0, 27 KOs
Last: W (KO3) Giovanni Cabrera, July 6
Next: TBA

Record: 22-0, 10 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Artem Harutyunyan, July 6
Next: TBA

Record: 19-0, 9 KOs
Last: W (SD12) Emanuel Navarrete, May 18
Next: TBA

Record: 11-0, 7 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Miguel Madueno, July 6
Next: TBA

Record: 18-1, 12 KOs
Last: L (KO8) Gervonta Davis, June 15
Next: TBA

Record: 21-0, 16 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Tevin Farmer, July 13
Next: TBA

Record: 21-3, 10 KOs
Last: L (TKO11) Vasiliy Lomachenko, May 11
Next: TBA

Record: 18-1, 11 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Roger Gutierrez, Feb. 10
Next: TBA

Emanuel Navarrete comes out victorious in a 12-round classic vs. Oscar Valdez in Arizona.

Record: 38-2-1, 31 KOs
Last: L (SD12) Denys Berinchyk, May 18
Next: TBA

Record: 22-1, 8 KOs
Last: W (TKO8) Joe Cordina, May 18
Next: Sept. 21 vs. Josh Warrington

Record: 19-2-1 1 NC, 9 KOs
Last: W (SD12) O’Shaquie Foster, July 6
Next: TBA

Record: 32-2, 24 KOs
Last: W (TKO7) Liam Wilson, March 29
Next: TBA

Record: 22-3, 12 KOs
Last: L (SD12) Robson Conceicao, July 6
Next: TBA

Record: 25-1-1 10 KOs
Last: W (TKO8) Feargal McCrory, June 28
Next: TBA

Record: 17-1, 9 KOs
Last: L (TKO7) Anthony Cacace, May 18
Next: TBA

Record: 26-1 26 KOs
Last: W (TKO2) Oscar Escandon, Oct. 28
Next: TBA

Record: 22-0, 12 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Abraham Nova, June 21
Next: TBA

Record: 26-2, 17 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Eduardo Ramirez, June 15
Next: TBA

Ray Ford gets a TKO on Otabek Kholmatov to win the vacant WBA featherweight title.

Record: 30-3, 17 KOs
Last: L (TKO10) Angelo Leo, Aug. 10
Next: TBD

Record: 28-3, 17 KOs
Last: W (TKO7) Josh Warrington, Oct. 7
Next: TBA

Record: 25-1-1, 19 KOs
Last: W (KO9) Jessie Magdaleno, May 4
Next: TBA

Record: 25-0, 21 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Sergio Chirino, June 21
Next: TBA

Record: 20-0-1, 11 KOs
Last: W (SD12) Raymond Ford, June 1
Next: TBA

Record: 14-2, 9 KOs
Last: W (TKO7) Brandon Leon Benitez, June 29
Next: TBA

Record: 36-1, 22 KOs
Last: Split draw (SD12) Nick Ball, March 8
Next: TBA

Record: 15-1-1, 8 KOs
Last: L (SD12) Nick Ball, June 1
Next: TBA

Record: 12-0, 8 KOs
Last: W (TKO8) Brayan De Gracia, June 8
Next: Sept. 27 vs. Sulaiman Segawa

Record: 31-3-1, 8 KOs
Last: L (TKO7) Leigh Wood, Oct. 7
Next: Sept. 21 vs. Anthony Cacace

Editor’s note: Gary Russell Jr. has been removed for inactivity.

Naoya Inoue gets knocked down for the first time in his career, but he rallies for a big KO victory over Luis Nery.

Record: 27-0, 24 KOs
Last: W (KO6) Luis Nery, May 6 (Watch this fight on ESPN+)
Next: Sept. 3 vs. TJ Doheny

Record: 21-1, 8 KOs
Last: L (TKO8) Naoya Inoue, July 25
Next: TBA

Record: 38-4, 20 KOs
Last: W (KO1) Nattapong Jankaew, May 10
Next: TBA

Record: 12-1, 9 KOs
Last: W (TKO8) Kevin Gonzalez, Dec. 16
Next: TBA

Record: 35-2, 27 KOs
Last: L (TKO6) Naoya Inoue, May 6
Next: TBA

Record: 19-0, 8 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Thachtana Luangphon, July 10
Next: TBA

Record: 33-4-1, 22 KOs
Last: Draw (TD4) Yukinori Oguni, Oct. 12
Next: TBA

Record: 19-2, 16 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Arthur Villanueva, March 29
Next: TBA

Record: 26-4, 20 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Bryl Bayogos, May 6
Next: Sept. 3 vs. Naoya Inoue

Record: 16-0, 8 KOs
Last: W (TKO2) Erik Robles, March 16
Next: TBA

Editor’s note: Ra’eese Aleem has been removed for inactivity.

Junto Nakatani secures a first-round victory over Vincent Astrolabio with a well-placed body shot to retain his WBC bantamweight title.

Record: 27-0, 20 KOs
Last: W (KO1) Vincent Astrolabio, July 20
Next: TBA

Record: 20-1, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Sho Ishida, May 6
Next: TBA

Record: 9-0, 1 KO
Last: W (UD12) Emmanuel Rodriguez, May 4
Next: TBA

Record: 52-4, 42 KOs
Last: W (TKO10) Rober Barrera, July 12
Next: TBA

Record: 9-0, 8 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Jason Moloney, May 6
Next: TBA

Record: 28-4-5, 14 KOs
Last: L (TKO6) Junto Nakatani, Feb. 24
Next: TBA

Record: 22-3, 13 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Ryosuke Nishida, May 4
Next: TBA

Record: 33-4, 16 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Takuma Inoue, May 6
Next: TBA

Record: 27-3, 19 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Yoshiki Takei, May 6
Next: TBA

Record: 19-5, 14 KOs
Last: L (KO1) Junto Nakatani, July 20
Next: TBA

Editor’s note: Gary Antonio Russell and Kal Yafai have been remove for inactivity.

Record: 20-0, 13 KOs
Last: W (KO7) Juan Francisco Estrada, June 29
Next: TBA vs. Juan Francisco Estrada

Record: 17-0, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Kazuto Ioka, July 7
Next: TBA

Record: 44-4, 28 KOs
Last: L (KO7) Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, June 29
Next: TBA vs. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez

Record: 31-3-1, 16 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Fernando Martinez, July 7
Next: TBA

Record: 20-1, 11 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Christian Bacasegua Rangel, Feb. 24
Next: TBA

Record: 42-5-1, 28 KOs
Last: W (SD12) Pedro Guevara, Nov. 17
Next: TBA

Record: 17-0, 13 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Jun Blazo, Feb. 13
Next: TBA

Record: 42-4-1, 22 KOs
Last: W (SD12) Andrew Moloney, May 11
Next: TBA

Record: 16-1, 11 KOs
Last: W (UD12) John Ramirez, April 20
Next: TBA

Record: 37-6, 22 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Francisco Gomez, March 23
Next: TBA

Editor’s note: Srisaket Sor Rungvisai has moved to bantamweight.

Record: 21-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (TUD9) Adrian Curiel, June 29
Next: TBA

Record: 20-2-1, 11 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Taku Kuwahara, May 6
Next: TBA

Record: 17-0, 7 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Felix Alvarado, Oct. 14
Next: TBA

Record: 7-1, 5 KOs
Last: W (KO3) Riku Kano, July 20
Next TBA

Record: 24-2, 17 KOs
Last: W (KO10) Angel Acosta, July 6
Next: TBA

Record: 18-0-1, 12 KOs
Last: No Contest (NC) Julio Cesar Martinez, March 30
Next: TBA

Record: 22-1, 15 KOs
Last: L (UD12) Seigo Yuri Akui, Jan. 23
Next TBA

Record: 7-0, 5 KOs
Last: W (TKO8) Agustin Gauto, April 6
Next: TBA

Record: 41-4, 35 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Francisco Gomez Sanchez, July 13
Next TBA

Record: 24-2-2, 15 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Quaise Khademi, Jan. 27
Next TBA

Editor’s note: Jesse Rodriguez has moved to junior banatmweights. Julio Cesar Martinez has been removed for testing positive ahead of his win over Angelino Cordova.

Record: 23-1, 14 KOs
Last: W (MD12) Carlos Canizales, Jan. 23
Next: TBA

Record: 28-3-1, 14 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Rene Santiago, March 2
Next: TBA

Record: 13-1, 10 KOs
Last: W (TKO10) Adrian Curiel, Feb. 16
Next: TBA

Record: 27-2-1, 19 KOs
Last: W (MD12) Ivan Garcia Balderas, July 19
Next: TBA

Record: 16-4, 15 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Kevin Vivas, March 16
Next: TBA

Record: 10-0, 7 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Gerardo Zapata, June 7
Next: TBA

Record: 22-3, 12 KOs
Last: W (SD12) Yudai Shigeoka, March 31
Next: TBA

Record: 7-0, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD12) Yudel Reyes, April 5
Next: TBA

Record: 17-4-1, 13 KOs
Last: W (TKO9) Ginjiro Shigeoka, July 28
Next: TBA

Record: 11-1, 9 KOs
Last: L (TKO9) Pedro Taduran, July 28
Next: TBA

Editor’s note: Knockout CP Freshmart has been removed for inactivity.

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