Simon Marcus continues to sit on top of the Light Heavyweight Rankings as
he has for the past two years. Joe Schilling is no longer in the number two
slot as he has been bumped up to the Cruiserweight Rankings after competing in
Glory’s 187lb Middleweight division.
Stephen Richards comes back into the
rankings after a lengthy absence due to inactivity and replaces Schilling. Robert
Thomas enters the rankings for the first time, and both Alex Berrios and Andrew
Kapel move down one spot each due to their recent two fight skids.
1. Simon Marcus (39-0-1)
Simon Marcus has all but cemented himself into the number one slot for the 175lb rankings. The only mark on his record that is not a win is a controversial draw with Chidi Njokuani in September of 2013. In 2014 he is already 3-0 including a hard fought decision win over recent Glory signee Israel Adesanya and a knockout of Vehas TopKing. There are a slew of interesting fights for Marcus including a potential re-match with Artem Levin, but the bout that would get everyone excited would be the UK’s Steve Wakeling. If it will happen only time will tell, but right now Marcus sits perched on top of the Light Heavyweight Rankings and it doesn’t seem he will be coming down anytime soon. He is expected to compete for Glory in their upcoming Glory Middleweight Tournament and it will be interesting how losing some of his best weapons (clinch and elbows) and moving back up to 187lbs will affect Marcus.
Simon Marcus has all but cemented himself into the number one slot for the 175lb rankings. The only mark on his record that is not a win is a controversial draw with Chidi Njokuani in September of 2013. In 2014 he is already 3-0 including a hard fought decision win over recent Glory signee Israel Adesanya and a knockout of Vehas TopKing. There are a slew of interesting fights for Marcus including a potential re-match with Artem Levin, but the bout that would get everyone excited would be the UK’s Steve Wakeling. If it will happen only time will tell, but right now Marcus sits perched on top of the Light Heavyweight Rankings and it doesn’t seem he will be coming down anytime soon. He is expected to compete for Glory in their upcoming Glory Middleweight Tournament and it will be interesting how losing some of his best weapons (clinch and elbows) and moving back up to 187lbs will affect Marcus.
2. Stephen Richards (8-2-1)
Stephen Richard has been one of North America’s best kept Muay Thai secrets for quite some time now. He is well rounded and full of grit, the problem is fight fans don’t get to see him fight very often. 2013 was his most active year in recent memory and he only had two fights that year. He defeated Alex Berrios and Glen Spencer, both by decision. If Richards can remain more active in 2014 and for the remainder of his career Muay Thai fans will definitely be well aware of who he is.
Stephen Richard has been one of North America’s best kept Muay Thai secrets for quite some time now. He is well rounded and full of grit, the problem is fight fans don’t get to see him fight very often. 2013 was his most active year in recent memory and he only had two fights that year. He defeated Alex Berrios and Glen Spencer, both by decision. If Richards can remain more active in 2014 and for the remainder of his career Muay Thai fans will definitely be well aware of who he is.
3. Robert Thomas (6-0)
Thomas has scored some big wins in the past few months. He bested Andrew Kapel by unanimous decision at Round Kick Rumble XXI. He most recently scored a (T)KO victory over Tarek Rached in New York at Friday Night Fights. The Mas Thai Boxing product is only 20 years old and like many of his Canadian counter parts that have climbed to the top of the North American scene it seems like the sky is the limit for him.
Thomas has scored some big wins in the past few months. He bested Andrew Kapel by unanimous decision at Round Kick Rumble XXI. He most recently scored a (T)KO victory over Tarek Rached in New York at Friday Night Fights. The Mas Thai Boxing product is only 20 years old and like many of his Canadian counter parts that have climbed to the top of the North American scene it seems like the sky is the limit for him.
4. Alex Berrios (9-4)
Alex Berrios is known as one of North America’s best technicians. He has been in the ring with some of North America’s top fighters and has always shown to be a worthy opponent. In addition to his excellent technique, Berrios has shown he possesses fight ending power in his strikes which makes him that much more exciting to watch. Berrios has recently hit a two fight skid, the first time this has ever happened in his career. Both of his losses were by decision to solid opponents in Stephen Richards and Brett Hlavacek. Berrios doesn’t have a return date to the ring yet, but when he does there is no doubt that he will be ready to step in against whoever is placed in front of him.
Alex Berrios is known as one of North America’s best technicians. He has been in the ring with some of North America’s top fighters and has always shown to be a worthy opponent. In addition to his excellent technique, Berrios has shown he possesses fight ending power in his strikes which makes him that much more exciting to watch. Berrios has recently hit a two fight skid, the first time this has ever happened in his career. Both of his losses were by decision to solid opponents in Stephen Richards and Brett Hlavacek. Berrios doesn’t have a return date to the ring yet, but when he does there is no doubt that he will be ready to step in against whoever is placed in front of him.
5. Andrew Kapel (10-5)
Kapel is another one of North America’s talents that would be more widely recognized if he was able to stay more active. The Minnesota based fighter has dropped his last two bouts. The first was in the semi-finals of the Road to Glory tournament last year in an extra round decision and most recently at Round Kick Rumble XXI where he lost a unanimous decision to Robert Thomas.
Kapel is another one of North America’s talents that would be more widely recognized if he was able to stay more active. The Minnesota based fighter has dropped his last two bouts. The first was in the semi-finals of the Road to Glory tournament last year in an extra round decision and most recently at Round Kick Rumble XXI where he lost a unanimous decision to Robert Thomas.
Rankings qualification - Muay Thai
and Kickboxing bouts are all taken into consideration for the rankings. These
rankings are not only based on Muay Thai Fights as many fighters compete in
both full rules Muay Thai and Kickboxing bouts. Fighters are not to be inactive
for any period longer than 12 months or they will be dropped from the rankings
unless a fight is schedule within a month from the date they become ineligible.
Fighters that compete in two weight classes will be assigned a weight class
that they compete in regularly or hold a major title in. Fighters that are born
outside North America, become eligible once they have permanently resided in
North America for two years and are actively fighting on the North American
fight circuit.
*If you are currently ranked in a
weight class and would like to switch weight classes please notify
Rankings@MuayThaiAuthority.com. Switching weight classes does not guarantee you
will be ranked in the new weight class.
No comments:
Post a Comment