The bantamweight division has enjoyed the influx of talent coming up from the flyweight ranks over the last year or two. The result is a talented mix of some of the most talented fighters in the game. Potential big matches lurk in the future for the bantamweights.

Bantamweight division rankings last updated November 30, 2009.

1. Fernando Montiel – It can be easy to forget that Montiel has only lost twice in his career, once to the great Mark Johnson and once against the much larger Jhonny Gonzalez. He has all of the tools and a big punch to bring it all together. He spent most of his career at flyweight and super flyweight, but still holds a size advantage over many other bantamweight fighters.
2. Yonnhy Perez – A late stoppage victory over contender Silence Mabuza raised the status of the hard hitting, undefeated Columbian. Then he won a wide decision over Joseph Agbeko on Halloween to cement his status as one of the best bantamweights in the world.
3. Hozumi Hasegawa – Coming close to 10 title defenses of his WBC bantamweight title, the question that remains is if Hasegawa will ever leave the comfortable confines of his native Japan for a major fight.
4. Anselmo Moreno – Moreno has two victories over Wladimir Sidorenko and hasn’t lost in 7 years, since he lost a split decision in a 4 round fight against a fighter with 1 draw and no other fights to his credit. Moreno doesn’t have much power but has a complete skill set that makes him a formidable opponent for anyone. He had a stay busy fight in October and will defend his belts in December.
5. Joseph Agbeko – Agbeko gave Vic Darchinyan a rude welcoming to the bantamweight division, but then lost a decision to Perez. Agbeko is tough with good skills and good power and will be back in the mix before long.
6. Vic Darchinyan – After losing to Agbeko, Darchinyan decided to drop back down to super flyweight to defend his belts. However, he has still said that he has long term plans in the bantamweight division.
7. Wladimir Sidorenko – It’s not as if Sidorenko got dominated by Moreno. He lost twice, once in a close unanimous decision and once in an even closer split decision. Before that he was 5-0-2 in 7 title fights.
8. Eric Morel – Scheduled to face Gerry Penalosa in the beginning of 2010, Morel is on a six fight winning streak since losing to Martin Castillo in the beginning of 2005.
9. Abner Mares – The hot prospect had a long layoff but has gotten in the ring twice over the last few months and will be looking to step up the opposition soon. It certainly seems like he has the technical skills to rise to the top of the division before too long.
10. Silence Mabuza – Consummate contender and challenger has lost his major step ups in competition, twice to Rafael Marquez and once to Perez, but can give anybody problems on any given night.

More Boxing Weight Class Rankings

• 112-115 lbs – Boxing Super Flyweight Division Rankings
• 118-122 lbs – Boxing Super Bantamweight Division Rankings

Written by: Jake Emen