Check out my rankings within each division by clicking on the links below. If there is a lineal champion in the weight class he is ranked No. 1.
For a list of the current champions in all weight classes, click here.
Note: Results through Dec. 18. In an effort to provide the most up-to-date rankings, ESPN.com's division-by-division boxing rankings will be updated every Tuesday.
More divisional rankings
Heavyweight - Cruiserweight - Light heavyweight - Super middleweight
Middleweight - Junior middleweight - Welterweight - Junior welterweight
Lightweight - Junior lightweight - Featherweight - Junior featherweight
Bantamweight - Junior bantamweight - Flyweight - Junior flyweight/Strawweight
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION (UP TO 168 POUNDS)
1. Gilberto Ramirez (36-0)
Mexico's Ramirez made his second title defense against then-undefeated mandatory challenger Jesse Hart on a Top Rank ESPN card on Sept. 22 and won a close decision in a fantastic action fight. Next up, Ramirez will take on another unbeaten foe when he makes his third defense against Ghana's Habib "Wild Hurricane" Ahmed (26-0-1) in the main event of a Top Rank ESPN card in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Next: Feb. 3 vs. Ahmed
2. George Groves (27-3)
After losing three world title fights, two by knockout to British countryman Carl Froch, Groves got another opportunity against former titlist Fedor Chudinov, of Russia, for a vacant title on May 27 and finally got over the hump and claimed that elusive belt by stopping Chudinov in the sixth round of an entertaining fight. Even Froch, who was ringside, stood and applauded Groves. Groves' next move was to enter the eight-man World Boxing Super Series tournament. He was awarded the top seed and knocked out countryman Jamie Cox with a tremendous body shot in the fourth round of the quarterfinals in London on Oct. 14. He will face countryman Chris Eubank Jr. (26-1) in the semifinals in Manchester, England. It's a very interesting fight.
Next: Feb. 17 vs. Eubank
3. Anthony Dirrell (31-1-1)
Since losing his world title to Badou Jack in his first defense in April 2015, Dirrell has only fought four times, most recently a sixth-round technical decision over against journeyman Denis Douglin on Nov. 17. The fight, stopped because Dirrell was unable to continue after being cut by an accidental head butt, was his first bout in his hometown of Flint, Michigan, since 2011.
Next: TBA
4. Callum Smith (23-0)
England's Smith was supposed to get a mandatory title shot against the winner of the Jan. 14 title unification bout between Badou Jack and James DeGale, but the fight was ruled a draw and Jack vacated the belt Smith was mandatory for. So Smith was then supposed to face former titlist Anthony Dirrell for the vacant title this fall, but constant issues getting a deal done led Smith to walk away from the fight and instead join the World Boxing Super Series. He was awarded the No. 2 seed and won a unanimous decision against Sweden's Erik Skoglund, whom he dropped in the 11th round, in the quarterfinals on Sept. 16. He'll face former two-time light heavyweight titlist Juergen Braehmer (49-3) in the semifinals in early 2018.
Next: TBA vs. Braehmer
5. Chris Eubank Jr. (26-1)
In his second fight since moving up from middleweight, England's Eubank Jr., son of the former two-division world titleholder, rolled to a one-sided decision victory -- 120-108, 118-110, 118-110 -- against former middleweight and super middleweight titleholder Arthur Abraham on July 15. With the win, Eubank earned the final slot in the World Boxing Super Series and, in his quarterfinal bout in Germany on Oct. 7, destroyed Turkey's Avni Yildirim via third-round knockout. Eubank will move on to the semifinals to face world titleholder and No. 1 seed George Groves (27-3).
Next: Feb. 17 vs. Groves
6. Caleb Truax (29-3-2)
In the biggest upset of 2017, Truax, who had been knocked out by Daniel Jacobs in the 12th round of a 2015 middleweight title bout and in the first round by former super middleweight titlist Anthony Dirrell in 2016, traveled to James DeGale's hometown of London as a hand-picked opponent and shockingly took it too him on Dec. 9. Truax won a well-deserved majority decision to take the lethargic DeGale's title and leave his career in tatters.
Next: TBA
7. James DeGale (23-2-1)
After winning a world title in Boston and having three title defenses in North America, DeGale returned home to London for what was supposed to be a celebratory homecoming defense against massive underdog Caleb Truax on Dec. 9. Instead, it turned into DeGale's biggest nightmare as Truax fought the fight of his life and won a majority decision in a shocking upset. Losses get no more damaging. DeGale is considering retirement.
Next: TBA
8. Andre Dirrell (26-2)
The 2004 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist, who was 0-2 in world title bouts, claimed a vacant interim belt in dubious fashion on May 20 against Jose Uzcategui. It had been a tough and competitive fight but Dirrell was behind on two scorecards and even on the third when he got knocked out at the end of the eighth round with a three-punch combination. However, referee Bill Clancy ruled the final shot came after the bell and disqualified Uzcategui, giving Dirrell the win and putting him in position to face full titleholder James DeGale when he returns from injury. However, because of the controversial DQ call, the sanctioning body ordered an immediate rematch, which could take place Jan. 26.
Next: TBA vs. Uzcategui
9. Jose Uzcategui (26-2)
Uzcategui, of Venezuela, was riding a four-fight winning streak when he met Andre Dirrell for a vacant interim belt on May 20 and suffered a controversial loss. Uzcategui was ahead on two of three scorecards and even on the third when he knocked Dirrell out at the bell ending the eighth round. However, referee Bill Clancy ruled the last shot came after the bell and disqualified Uzcategui. At worst the call should have been an accidental foul and the fight should have gone to the scorecards for a technical decision. Uzcategui fought a terrific fight and did not fire the final punch on purpose. He was in mid-combination at the bell. A mandatory rematch is up next, likely on Jan. 26.
Next: TBA vs. Dirrell
10. David Benavidez (19-0)
Benavidez was very impressive in May when he easily dismantled former world title challenger Rogelio "Porky" Media in an eighth-round knockout victory in a title eliminator. He got the title shot on Sept. 8 when he battled hard against Ronald Gavril in a fight of the year contender. Benavidez survived a 12th-round knockdown to win a split decision and a vacant world title. At age 20, Benavidez became the youngest active titleholder in boxing and the youngest in super middleweight division history. Benavidez has signed a new contract with promoter Sampson Lewkowicz and will face Gavril (18-2) in a rematch, probably in late January or February.
Next: TBA vs. Gavril