25 September 2023

Juggernaut Joe Joyce was knocked out in the 3rd round by fellow Heavyweight giant Zhilei Zhang. Zhang, a southpaw, noted that Joyce habitually moved to his left and exploited that knowledge with a dummy left that set up a whistling right hook that collided with Joyce’s chin and that was that. Zhang, the new danger man who has twice dominated the old danger man, moves from #4 to #3, over Anthony Joshua. Joyce tumbles all way to #10.  

The chairs and oversight will be taking a close look at current #5 contender Dillian Whyte and the PED issue this week. He may be exiting the rankings indefinitely. 

Jr. Welterweight Richardson Hitchens makes his debut into the Transnational Rankings with an excellent demonstration of the sweet science against Jose Zepeda who was #8 but is no more. He exits with the loss. Hitchens -one to watch- takes the number eight. 

Jr. Flyweight King Kenshiro Teraji turns 35-year-old contender Hekkie Budler back with a 9th round stoppage. Budler drops from #3 to #6.  

Speaking of division kings, three are in action on Saturday and two are fighting each other. Super Middleweight King Canelo Alvarez faces Jr. Middleweight King Jermell Charlo in Las Vegas -which should be a top news story but isn’t because boxing has lost its collective mind when it comes the championship structure. Light Heavyweight King Jai Opetaia faces unranked Jordan Thompson in London.

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