Only seven South African fighters rated by The Ring magazine

The Ring magazine, which has been publishing ratings of fighters for nearly 100 years, has only listed seven South African fighters in the January 18, 2020 ratings.

IBO cruiserweight champion Kevin Lerena (24-1; 11) is rated at No 5 in the cruiserweights and Thabiso Mchunu (22-5; 13) at No 10.

Former WBO bantamweight champion Zolani Tete (20-4; 21) is listed at No 5 at bantamweight and IBF flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane (39-2; 26) comes in at No 2 in the flyweights.

Hekkie Budler (32-4; 10), who has not fought since December 31, 2018 when he was stopped in the tenth round by Hiroto Kyoguchi, is listed at a rather surprising No 2 in the junior flyweights.

In the strawweight class, former IBO champion Simpiwe Konco (19-6; 17) is at No 7 even though he only had one fight in 2019, a wide points-decision loss to Chayaphon Moonsri.

The veteran Nkosinathi Joyi (29-5-1; 19), who won the IBO belt in his most recent fight, is at No 10 in the strawweights.

The Ring magazine was first published 1922 and is currently owned by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Enterprise, who acquired it in 2007.

The Ring magazine began awarding championship belts in 1922, with the first belt being awarded to heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey.

They stopped awarding belts in the 1990s but once again began awarding belts to world champions in 2002.

Only two South Africans, Universal world bantamweight champion Vic Toweel and Hekkie Budler, who has held IBO and WBA belts, have received The Ring magazine championship belt.

The only South Africa fighter to appear on the cover of The Ring magazine was Vic Toweel, who won the Universal bantamweight title from Manuel Ortiz on May 31, 1950. He was featured on the April 1952 issue.