Brizel’s Perspective: Rating the Top Middleweights in the World in 2020
Editorial By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez of Mexico is currently the best middleweight boxer in the world. However, when Alvarez moves up to light heavyweight to challenge Sergey Kovalev for a share of the world title at 175 pounds, it will be his third fight in a year at the higher weight. He will be joined by Gilberto Ramirez, Jesse Hart, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Billy Jo Saunders, Willie Monroe Jr., and other notable boxers who have moved up in weight class. 34-0 WBO World Super Welterweight champion Jaime Munguia remains at 154 pounds for now.
Here is my list of the top middleweights in the 160 pounds weight class division in 2020.
One: Gennady Golovkin. GGG currently holds the IBG and IBO versions of the 160 pounds title, but will turn 38 years old in April 2020. GGG has remained consistently outstanding in the middleweight division, but he is getting older. Even world champions such as Marvelous Marvin Hagler and the late Carlos Monzon did not box this late in age. Sugar Ray Robinson and Roberto Duran were former world champions who did box at a later age. How well will GGG fair as he pushes 40 versus 30 against younger fighters? This remains to be seen as 2020 arrives. GGG will be tested to the limit by younger contenders.
Two: Daniel Jacobs. The ‘Miracle Man’ of Brooklyn is moving up to super-middleweight to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at 168 pounds on December 20, 2019, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. At this point, it is not clear if Jacobs will stay at 168 pounds, or go back to 160 pounds after this crossroads bout with Chavez. Obviously, Chavez is better off at the lower weight. This bout is not yet set at 10 or 12 rounds. A longer bout definitely favors Jacobs.
Three: Demetrius Andrade. ‘Boo-Boo’ is 28-0 and holds the WBO World Middleweight title at 160 pounds. A lucrative explosive titular unification confrontation with GGG could be on the horizon, or perhaps a title defense against ex-champion Daniel Jacobs.
Four: David Lemieux. Canada’s Lemieux, one of the middleweight division’s hardest hitters, inactive for over 15 months, will return to the ring on December 7, 2019, in his native Montreal at Bell Centre against Canadian two-time world title challenger Max Bursak in a 12 rounder at 168 pounds. Lemieux would be better off returning to middleweight after this comeback bout, which is unlikely to go the distance.
Five: Jermall Charlo. The 28-0 Houston, Texas fighter currently holds the WBC World Middleweight title at 160 pounds, Jermall must defeat Irish two-time world title challenger Dennis Hogan of Australia on December 7, 2019, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn to remain in the 160 pounds mix. This will be Hogan’s first bout in the 160-pound division.
Six: Michael Zerafa. The hot and cold Australian holds the WBA Oceania and WBO Oriental regional middleweight titles, and is fresh off a surprising ninth-round TKO upset of world-ranked Australian compatriot Jeff Horn, who he knocked down twice.
Seven: Ryota Murata. After upsetting Rob Brant in his second try, Murata holds the WBA World Middleweight title, and must get past Canadian challenger Steven Butler on December 23,2 019, in Yokohama. Butler, who like compatriot David Lemieux is from Montreal, currently holds the WBC International regional middleweight title.
Eight: Sergey Derevyenchenko. The 13-2 Ukrainian remains world-rated despite losing two 12 round decisions to Daniel Jacobs and GGG in attempts to win a share of the world middleweight title. He has been unable to win the big bout despite getting opportunities.
Nine: Kamil Szeremeta. The 21-0 Polish fighter has held the European EBU Middleweight title, but remains an unknown dark horse. He might get a world title opportunity in 2020, which would mean the opportunity to prove himself, as he is still an unbeaten but unknown commodity at 160 pounds.
Ten (Tie): Esquiva Falcao. The Brazilian southpaw is perhaps the best fighter to come out of Brazil since the noted world champion Eder Jofre. Falcao is coming off an eighth-round stoppage of Jesus Antonio Hernandez at MGM Oxen Hill in Maryland in July 2019.
Ten (Tie): Liam Williams. The Wales, United Kingdom known as ‘The Machine’ currently holds the BBB of C British and World Boxing Council Silver Middleweight titles, and is coming off a second-round stoppage of Karim Achour at 02 Arena in Greenwich this past July 2019. Williams might get a world title opportunity at 160 pounds in 2020.
Honorable Mentions: Patrick Volny. 15-0, Montreal, Canada. The NABA and WBO NABO regional middleweight titleholder. Patrick Wojcicki, 15-0-1, Wolfsburg, Germany, International Boxing Federation Inter-Continental Middleweight champ. Cameroon’s Christian Mbilli, 15-0, Montreal, Canada, WBC Francophone middleweight titleholder and Rob Brandt.
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