Originally Published: February 9, 2010

ESPN.com's divisional rankings

What recent changes have been made in boxing's weight class rankings? Dan Rafael reveals his new world standings.

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Rafael By Dan Rafael
ESPN.com
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Check out my rankings within each division by clicking on the links below.

Who is the best fighter, regardless of weight class? See my pound-for-pound rankings.

Note: Results through Feb. 8. In an effort to provide the most up-to-date rankings, ESPN.com's division-by-division boxing rankings will be updated every Tuesday.

HeavyweightsLightweights
CruiserweightsJunior Lightweights
Light HeavyweightsFeatherweights
Super MiddleweightsJunior Featherweights
MiddleweightsBantamweights
Junior MiddleweightsJunior Bantamweights
WelterweightsFlyweights
Junior WelterweightsJunior Flyweights/Strawweights

HEAVYWEIGHTS (201 AND UP)
Wladimir Klitschko

1. Wladimir Klitschko (53-3)


Klitschko hasn't fought since a ruthless destruction of Ruslan Chagaev in June because of a left shoulder injury that required surgery. But now Klitschko is ready to go and will make a mandatory defense against slick American Eddie Chambers in Germany. With American networks either not interested or unable to afford the fight, look for it to wind up on pay-per-view.
Next: March 20 vs. Chambers.



2. Vitali Klitschko (39-2)

With ease, Klitschko dominated American Kevin Johnson for a shutout decision on Dec. 12 in a fight in which Johnson never tried to do anything but survive. Although Klitschko was taken the distance for only the second time in his career, he was barely touched. Johnson landed a pathetic five power shots in the entire fight. There is no legitimate competition for either Klitschko brother right now.
Next: TBA.

3. Alexander Povetkin (18-0)

In his first fight with new trainer Teddy Atlas, Povetkin smashed Leo Nolan for a third-round knockout on Dec. 5 to stay on course for an eventual (and long overdue) mandatory title shot against Wladimir Klitschko. Since it's going to be awhile, Povetkin plans to take a stay-busy fight.
Next: March 13 vs. TBA.

4. Eddie Chambers (35-1)

Chambers, who earned his mandatory title shot against Wladimir Klitschko by dismantling Alexander Dimitrenko last summer in Germany, will head back to Germany for the opportunity. Hopefully, an American television network will pick up this significant fight.
Next: March 20 vs. W. Klitschko.

5. David Haye (23-1)

Despite being nine inches shorter and outweighed by 98 pounds, the former cruiserweight champ claimed a dreadful majority decision against Nikolai Valuev to claim a title on Nov. 7. The good news for Haye is he got the belt. The bad news is that he's stuck with a mandatory defense against John Ruiz.
Next: April 3 vs. Ruiz.

6. Samuel Peter (33-3)

For a change, Peter was in excellent condition at 240 pounds when he stopped journeyman Gabe Brown in the fourth round Dec. 19. Next up, Peter faces Nagy Aguilera (who is coming off a first-round, upset knockout win against former titlist Oleg Maskaev) in an eliminator on a "Top Rank Live" card in Dallas the night before Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey. The winner moves a step closer to a mandatory shot against Wladimir Klitschko.
Next: March 12 vs. Aguilera.

7. Nikolai Valuev (50-2)

Valuev was as slow as a glacier against Haye in November. He didn't throw enough punches or use his massive size to his advantage. It cost Valuev his title in a horrible fight to watch. Now Valuev is on top of the list for a possible May fight with Vitali Klitschko.
Next: TBA.

8. Ruslan Chagaev (25-1-1)

In the wake of his disastrous outing against Wladimir Klitschko in June, Chagaev has replaced trainer Michael Timm with Magomed Schaburow, with an eye toward returning to the ring in early 2010. His trainer is not why he lost to Klitschko. He lost because he was the far inferior fighter. Eddie Futch couldn't have helped him win.
Next: TBA.

9. Cristobal Arreola (28-1)

Just 70 days after being shellacked by Vitali Klitschko in a 10th-round TKO loss, Arreola returned to score a fourth-round knockout of game Brian Minto in an exciting slugfest on Dec. 5. Arreola will be back on HBO for his next fight, which could come April 24 against Tomasz Adamek.
Next: TBA.

10. Tomasz Adamek (40-1)

The former cruiserweight champion won his second consecutive heavyweight bout by outboxing and outslugging Jason Estrada for a unanimous decision Feb. 6 to set up a possible April fight with Arreola.
Next: TBA.