In addition to pound for pound rankings, Muay Thai Authority will now begin to rank fighters by weight class. The top five fighters in each weight class will be ranked in order from one to five. For a weight class to receive rankings there has to be at least five fighters that qualify to be ranked. If a weight class has two outstanding fighters, but there are not three other pro fighters that merit being in the rankings then there will be no rankings for that weight class. Below are the welterweight North American rankings, the third individual weight class to be ranked by Muay Thai Authority. The remainder of the weight classes will be released in the upcoming days.
1. Michael Mananquil (21-4)
Mananquil has competed only one in 2011, back in February at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert". The decision win keeps him at the top of the rankings, but without it looking as if he will be scheduled for a fight before the end of October he will likely be falling off the rankings. Mananquil is a technical fighter that overwhelms his opponents with the volume of strikes he throws. Hopefully 2012 is a more active year for Mananquil.
2. Jose Palacios (5-3)
Palacios recently dropped a split decision to Malaipet Sasiprapa at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 4". A last minute switch changed his opponent from Kit Cope to Malaipet, but Palacios is now expected to meet Cope at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5" this upcoming February. Palacios had a successful 2011 campaign going 3-1. A head kick knockout over Joey Pagliuso, a 25 second knockout of Scotty Leffler and a decision victory over young gun Artem Sharoshkin bring his name to the fore front of Muay Thai in North America.
3. Chris Kwiatkowski (6-2-1)
Kwiatkowski had a solid 2011 campaign going 4-1-1. The year ended with a loss at the WKN Big 8 Belarus tournament against Ibrahim Kanote, despite the loss it was a very solid performance and a fight in which many feel Kwiatkowski should have gotten the nod. His year included wins over Robert Blake, Joe Tipping, Oliver Parker and Mike Erosa. Kwiatkowski's next fight is currently unknown, but another active year is expected from him.
4. Artem Sharoshkin (2-1)
Sharoshkin made his pro debut in late 2010 with a decision win over Titus Holmes and the young fighter has shown some serious skill in his young career. He only fought twice in 2011 splitting his bouts, a decision win over Borzoo Honargohar was followed by a decision loss to Jose Palacios. Sharoshkin should be a fighter to contend with as he gets older, his solid combination of boxing and cardio along with his size should present problems for almost everyone he steps with into the ring.
5. Scotty Leffler (4-2)
Leffler had rough 2011 campaign. He started the year off with a loss to Coke Chunhawat, a fight in which he was able to hang in the pocket and exchange with Coke. The doctor stopped the fight in the second round after Coke busted up Leffler's nose. In his other fight of 2011 Leffler suffered a broken jaw at the hands of Jose Palacios that put him out of comission for the remainder of the year. Despite the losses, Leffler is a good fighter with solid skills. He is expected to be back in action in February of 2012 at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5" against Sheldon Gaines. 2012 will be an important year for Leffler as he tries to re-establish himself as a force in the North American Muay Thai scene.
Rankings qualification - 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. Fighter's that compete in two weight classes will be assigned a weight class that they compete in regularly or hold a major title in.
*If you are currently ranked in a weight class and would like to switch weight classes please notify Nathan@MuayThaiAuthority.com. Switching weight classes does not guarantee you will be ranked in the new weight class.
Mananquil has competed only one in 2011, back in February at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert". The decision win keeps him at the top of the rankings, but without it looking as if he will be scheduled for a fight before the end of October he will likely be falling off the rankings. Mananquil is a technical fighter that overwhelms his opponents with the volume of strikes he throws. Hopefully 2012 is a more active year for Mananquil.
Palacios recently dropped a split decision to Malaipet Sasiprapa at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 4". A last minute switch changed his opponent from Kit Cope to Malaipet, but Palacios is now expected to meet Cope at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5" this upcoming February. Palacios had a successful 2011 campaign going 3-1. A head kick knockout over Joey Pagliuso, a 25 second knockout of Scotty Leffler and a decision victory over young gun Artem Sharoshkin bring his name to the fore front of Muay Thai in North America.
Kwiatkowski had a solid 2011 campaign going 4-1-1. The year ended with a loss at the WKN Big 8 Belarus tournament against Ibrahim Kanote, despite the loss it was a very solid performance and a fight in which many feel Kwiatkowski should have gotten the nod. His year included wins over Robert Blake, Joe Tipping, Oliver Parker and Mike Erosa. Kwiatkowski's next fight is currently unknown, but another active year is expected from him.
Sharoshkin made his pro debut in late 2010 with a decision win over Titus Holmes and the young fighter has shown some serious skill in his young career. He only fought twice in 2011 splitting his bouts, a decision win over Borzoo Honargohar was followed by a decision loss to Jose Palacios. Sharoshkin should be a fighter to contend with as he gets older, his solid combination of boxing and cardio along with his size should present problems for almost everyone he steps with into the ring.
Leffler had rough 2011 campaign. He started the year off with a loss to Coke Chunhawat, a fight in which he was able to hang in the pocket and exchange with Coke. The doctor stopped the fight in the second round after Coke busted up Leffler's nose. In his other fight of 2011 Leffler suffered a broken jaw at the hands of Jose Palacios that put him out of comission for the remainder of the year. Despite the losses, Leffler is a good fighter with solid skills. He is expected to be back in action in February of 2012 at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5" against Sheldon Gaines. 2012 will be an important year for Leffler as he tries to re-establish himself as a force in the North American Muay Thai scene.
Rankings qualification - 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. Fighter's that compete in two weight classes will be assigned a weight class that they compete in regularly or hold a major title in.
*If you are currently ranked in a weight class and would like to switch weight classes please notify Nathan@MuayThaiAuthority.com. Switching weight classes does not guarantee you will be ranked in the new weight class.
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