Francis Ngannou Ranked in Top 10 Despite Tyson Fury Loss: Do WBC Rankings Make Sense?

In a world of chaos and cut-throat competition in combat sports, rankings provide a sense of structure. The more skilled and fittest ones move up the ladder, while the defeated ones go the other way. But it’s not always that simple. Look at Francis Ngannou—the curious case that divided the boxing world when the WBC awarded him a #10 slot on the heavyweights’ hierarchy. Does it mean the WBC system is broken?

You win, you move up, and you challenge the best. But this theory went for a toss when the WBC put the former UFC champion on the rankings with no professional boxing win. All he had mustered was a debut loss against Tyson Fury in October. Indeed, Ngannou left the champion with a black eye and bragging rights to knock him down. But did it mandate an award for bestowing a ranking on him? Didn’t it disrespect the other boxers?

Francis Ngannou: Did he do enough to be ranked?

Is one pro fight enough for you to secure a ranking? In usual circumstances, no. But if you rock the champion’s world and come languishingly close to beating him, the case might warrant reconsideration. Eddie Hearn also believes the same. The British promoter didn’t “mind” the WBC’s decision, putting Ngannou ahead of other fighters who hadn’t done well against ‘The Gypsy King’.

Meanwhile, Andre Ward had labeled the move “politics,” calling it an obvious case of bias. A ranking permits you to fight for the championship, and now ‘The Predator’ has the right to rematch Fury or any future WBC heavyweight champion, with the title on the line. However, that also jeopardizes the careers of other heavyweights and is a slap in the face. It also disregards their hard labor to get into the coveted top 10.

The purists are clear; Ngannou did a great job, but one-off performances don’t guarantee you a spot in the rankings. One has to establish himself. Moreover, fighters have to pay 3% of their purse as sanctioning fees to get ranked and fight for the belt. Therefore, the rankings affect the fighters and their livelihoods. There should be a little scope for allowing someone to skip the line. But the WBC has done it this time and many times before.

WBC rankings and the goof-ups

Why do the champions favor the WBC strap over the IBF one? Because it grants exemptions from mandatory challengers and interim title holders are a usual occurrence. You have the likes of Jermall Charlo sitting atop the middleweight food chain, despite not defending his title for over two years.

You also have the likes of David Benavidez, who has been the interim champion for almost two years and is still waiting for Canelo Alvarez‘s signature to have his title shot. Then you have the concept of franchise champion in the WBC, a distinction that only Vasiliy Lomachenko and Alvarez have been afforded. It muddles the rankings and allows the champions to not fight their mandatory.

Read More: “Difficult to Say”: Eddie Hearn Remains Brutally Honest on Francis Ngannou Being Ranked in Top 10 WBC Rankings

You can also throw in the accusations of the WBC playing favorite. The announcement of Sebastian Fundora, the #2 ranked welterweight who is coming off a devastating KO loss, fighting for the vacant title turned some heads recently. You would likely believe the WBC rankings are blasphemy to the sweet science. But what about the influx of MMA fighters and crossover boxers? Who accommodates them?

Putting MMA on the same footing as other combat sports

When asked about the welcome of Ngannou to their fold and rankings, Mauricio Sulaimán cited the past precedence of Muay Thai fighters converting to international boxing. The WBC has ranked Muay Thai fighters in the past when making the switch. And the WBC is not the only one. Other promotions have also done the same.

Notably, Veeraphol Sahaprom clinched the WBC international super flyweight marble in his debut pro boxing fight. It’s not about dishonoring other boxers’ hard labor but accepting a champion from other combat sports and adjusting them to your system seamlessly. Does Ngannou deserve to be ranked as a pro boxer with a 0-1 record or a former UFC champion who lost a close split decision to the champion? Mike Tyson strongly believes it’s the second criterion that applies to his disciple and Ngannou deserves credit for it. “Number 10 is too low,” he said begrudgingly.

Also Read: Francis Ngannou Offers $10.8K Challenge, Hit Harder Than Former UFC Champ and Win the Prize: Date, Venue, and Conditions Revealed

What do you make of Francis Ngannou’s WBC top 10 ranking? Do you believe there should be a criteria to rank a fighter? Let us know in the comments below.