Boxing divisional rankings: Garcia's title win shakes up welterweight top five - ESPN

ESPN

by Andreas Hale

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Ryan Garcia’s dominant victory over Mario Barrios in a one-sided fight has reshaped the welterweight division. Garcia, who earned the WBC belt, took control from the start, dropping Barrios in the first round and securing a unanimous decision. This impressive performance propelled him to No. 4 in ESPN’s rankings, ending nearly three years without a win. Meanwhile, Rolando “Rolly” Romero, who previously defeated Garcia, moved up to No. 3 following the strong showing. Barrios, now with two losses in his last three fights, dropped out of the rankings entirely. In other divisions, the light heavyweight category saw changes due to inactivity. Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol were removed from the top five, allowing David Benavidez to rise to No. 1. Over in the 140-pound division, Richardson Hitchins’ IBF title defense against Oscar Duarte was canceled due to illness. Gary Antuanne Russell successfully defended his WBA title, while Andy Hiraoka’s late surge earned him a spot in the rankings at No. 10. These updates highlight the dynamic nature of boxing and how recent performances can quickly alter the sport’s hierarchy. Garcia’s return to form and the subsequent shifts in rankings underscore the competitive landscape, offering fans fresh developments to follow. For those tracking the sport, these changes provide insight into rising stars and shifting power dynamics across weight classes.

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/24/2026