Tuesday, January 31, 2012

January 2012 SNB Rankings Update

The big action in January occurred in the junior featherweight division, where Guillermo Rigondeaux knocked out Rico Ramos. As a result, Rigondeaux's strong performance leads to his reentrance in the SNB Rankings while Ramos exits. In addition, two young fighters, Kazuto Ioka (Japan) and Scott Quigg (England), make their debuts in the Rankings.

Elevated: Guillermo Rigondeaux Rigondeaux's decisive sixth-round knockout of Rico Ramos demonstrated the Cuban's skill and, more impressively, power. Ramos was never the same after a vicious first-round knockdown. Rigondeaux also exhibited some of the veteran tricks and maneuvers that will make him tough to beat in the pro ranks. Rigondeaux reenters the SNB Rankings in the Bubbling Under list.

Elevated: Kazuto Ioka The strawweight phenomenon from Japan one-upped Rigondeaux by winning a title belt in just his seventh pro fight; it took Rigondeaux nine fights to win his crown (boy, he's slacking). Unlike Rigondeaux (31), Ioka (22) is still a baby. Ioka has transitioned well to the pro style. He features power in both hands and excellent foot and hand speed. He enters the SNB Rankings in the Bubbling Under list.

Elevated: Scott Quigg Quigg has quietly built a name for himself in the U.K. He is heavy-handed, tough and has good boxing skills. He seems to get better with each fight. In a junior featherweight division loaded with big names, it will be interesting to see how aggressively Hatton Promotions decides to move him internationally. Irrespective of promotional maneuverings, Quigg is one to keep an eye on.  He debuts in the rankings in the Bubbling Under list. 

Demoted: Rico Ramos Ramos was overmatched physically, technically and psychologically against Rigondeaux. Ramos was gun-shy almost the entire fight and was afraid to let his hands go. Even though he had previously won a title belt, he demonstrated against Rigondeaux that he needs a lot of work to triumph at the world-class level. The Californian exits the SNB Rankings.


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