Boxing divisional rankings: Adames defends WBC title and top spot at middleweight

Carlos Adames thoroughly dominated Austin “Ammo” Williams to retain the WBC middleweight title by unanimous decision in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday.

Adames, 31, used his experience to thwart the raw power and heart of Williams. The fight was initially scheduled for Jan. 31 but was postponed when Adames withdrew with illness the day before the fight. The rescheduled date was competitive in the opening round and appeared to be headed toward a firefight, but Adames took control after he dropped Williams with a right hand in Round 3. From there, Adames (25-1-1, 18 KOs) demonstrated poise and power with a right hand that couldn’t miss. Williams (20-2, 13 KOs) tried to claw back into the fight by initiating exchanges, but Adames evaded his advances and responded with well-timed counters.

Adames had Williams badly hurt in the late rounds and did his best to secure the knockout, but Williams continued to fight back when the champion cranked up the pressure. It was a one-sided victory for Adames, who secured scorecards of 118-108, 117-109, 117-109 to successfully defend his title for a third time. Adames holds his place as the top middleweight in the ESPN rankings. Williams falls out of the top 10, and Aaron McKenna takes his place.

Lester Martinez (20-0-1, 16 KOs) earned a unanimous decision over Immanuwel Aleem (22-4-3, 14 KOs) in San Bernardino, California, on Saturday to become the interim WBC super middleweight champion. After battling Christian Mbilli to a controversial split draw in September, Martinez outworked Aleem for a near shutout with scores of 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110. Martinez holds his place as ESPN’s No. 4-ranked super middleweight and will likely pursue a rematch with Mbilli, who holds the WBC title.

At heavyweight, Frank Sanchez drops out the rankings due to inactivity. He is replaced by Efe Ajagba at No. 10.

ESPN’s divisional boxing rankings highlight the best in the sport in every weight class. Rankings will change based on recent results and performances. Fighters who have announced they are moving to a different weight class will be ranked in that new division, if warranted, only once they fight in that weight class. Fighters who currently own titles in two divisions can be ranked in both.

Fighters who haven’t competed in the past 12 months — and don’t have a fight scheduled — will be dropped from the rankings until they fight again. Any fighter who tests positive for a performance-enhancing substance will also be removed. That boxer will be eligible to reenter the rankings after his next bout.

For a list of the current champions in all weight classes, click here. For ESPN women’s divisional rankings, click here.

Jump to weight classes with changes: Heavyweight, middleweight

HEAVYWEIGHT (UNLIMITED)

CRUISERWEIGHT (UP TO 200 POUNDS)

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (UP TO 175 POUNDS)

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT (UP TO 168 POUNDS)

MIDDLEWEIGHT (UP TO 160 POUNDS)

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT (UP TO 154 POUNDS)

WELTERWEIGHT (UP TO 147 POUNDS)

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT (UP TO 140 POUNDS)

LIGHTWEIGHT (UP TO 135 POUNDS)

JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT (UP TO 130 POUNDS)

FEATHERWEIGHT (UP TO 126 POUNDS)

JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT (UP TO 122 POUNDS)

BANTAMWEIGHT (UP TO 118 POUNDS)

JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHT (UP TO 115 POUNDS)

FLYWEIGHT (UP TO 112 POUNDS)

JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT (UP TO 108 POUNDS)

STRAWWEIGHT (UP TO 105 POUNDS)