Francis Ngannou’s time in the sun as a top-10 heavyweight appears to ended almost as soon as it began after the WBC unveiled its latest rankings on Wednesday.
The esteemed World Boxing Council drew heavy criticism for installing former UFC superstar Ngannou in their rankings at number 10 following his professional debut vs Tyson Fury last October. That was a stellar performance from ‘The Predator’, who decked ‘The Gypsy King’ before losing via a hotly-disputed split decision.
READ MORE: Ngannou knew something was wrong BEFORE first bell sounded against Joshua
Ngannou was unable to repeat those heroics in his second pro bout, against another heavyweight superstar in the shape of Anthony Joshua in Riyadh earlier this month. He was blasted out inside two rounds by AJ in devastating fashion, a one-sided beatdown culminating in a highlight-reel KO.
The response to that from the WBC was to downgrade Ngannou as a result, all the way from #10 to #24 in their March rankings. Now we wait to see if he will fight again as a professional boxer, or return to MMA.
At the top of the WBC rankings the aforementioned Fury is of course the reigning champion, while the rejuvenated Joshua is #1 in the list of contenders right now. Right behind him is Cuban slickster Frank Sanchez (24-0).
Next at #3 is Germany’s European heavyweight champion Agit Kabayel (24-0), while Nigeria’s Efe Ajagba (19-1) is at 4. Then come exciting Top Rank prospect Jared ‘Big Baby’ Anderson (16-0), followed by Britain’s Daniel Dubois (20-2).
READ MORE: Boxing Gloves explained: Best brands reviewed and ideal fit for beginners
Former WBC king Deontay Wilder (43-3-1) is at #7 following his disappointing loss to Joseph Parker in December, with IBF mandatory contender Filip Hrgovic (17-0) at 8. Then it is Chinese giant Zhilei ‘Big Bang’ Zhang (26-2-1) at 9, with Martin Bakole (20-1) completing the top 10.
WBC heavyweight rankings
The latest rankings are as follows:
- Champion: Tyson Fury (34-0-1)
- Interim Champion: Vacant
- 1. Anthony Joshua (28-3)
- 2. Frank Sanchez (24-0)
- 3. Agit Kabayel (24-0)
- 4. Efe Ajagba (19-1)
- 5. Jared Anderson (16-0)
- 6. Daniel Dubois (20-2)
- 7. Deontay Wilder (43-3-1)
- 8. Filip Hrgovic (17-0)
- 9. Zhilei Zhang (26-2-1)
- 10. Martin Bakole (20-1)
- 11. Joe Joyce (16-2)
- 12. Bakhodir Jalolov (14-0)
- 13. Arslanbek Makhmudov (18-1)
- 14. Fabio Wardley (17-0)
- 15. Luis Ortiz (34-3)
Who is WBC heavyweight champion?
The current king is Britain’s Tyson Fury. He won the title by stopping Deontay Wilder in their February 2020 rematch, and he has since successfully defended it three times.
The WBC belt will be on the line next on May 18, when Fury faces IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in a unification match which should crown the sport’s first undisputed heavyweight king since Lennox Lewis back in 1999.
