Bantamweight Rankings Archive | March 1968

Note: The IBF and WBO did not exist. The WBA and WBC March 1968 rankings are not available.

Rank	RINGMarch 1968
	Lionel RoseNEW World Champion
1	Jesus Pimentel
2	Fighting Harada-2
3	Takao Sakurai
4	Rollie Penaroya+1
5	Bernardo Caraballo-1
6	Eigo Takagi
7	Salvatore Burruni
8	Angel Sanchez
9	Franco Zurlo
10	Alan Rudkin

Sources

March 1968 archive

Box-Rank presents each published list in a consistent format. Browse this division and its archive, read the methodology, or see how Box-Rank differs from BoxRec.

Month-over-month changes since March 1968

Month-over-month changes since February 1968

RINGMarch 1968 vs February 1968

There is a new Champion: Lionel Rose(previously Fighting Harada)

Became champion: 27 February 1968

Won the title by defeating Fighting Harada.

First shown in March 1968 rankingsView source

Biggest risers

Rollie PenaroyaUp one spot to #4
+1

Biggest fallers

Bernardo CaraballoFrom #4 to #5
-1

WBA Bantamweight Title History

Champions who have held each belt, most recent first. Exact dates are shown where verified; month-only dates reflect available records. Available history begins in January 1921, combining ranking archives and sourced title records.

Explore the bantamweight title-change timeline across all organizations

WBA Bantamweight - Super Champion

Jesse Rodriguez

13 June 2026Current

Became champion: 13 June 2026

Won the WBA bantamweight title by stopping Antonio Vargas in the sixth round in Arizona after moving up from super flyweight.

First shown in June 2026 rankingsView source

Naoya Inoue

18 May 2019January 2023

Became champion: 18 May 2019

Won the title by defeating Emmanuel Rodríguez.

First shown in May 2019 rankingsView source

Nonito Donaire

3 November 201818 May 2019

196 days

Became champion: 3 November 2018

Won the title by defeating Ryan Burnett.

First shown in November 2018 rankingsView source

Ryan Burnett

21 October 20173 November 2018

378 days

Became champion: 21 October 2017

Won the title by defeating Zhanat Zhakiyanov.

First shown in October 2017 rankingsView source

Zhanat Zhakiyanov

10 February 201721 October 2017

253 days

Became champion: 10 February 2017

Won the title by defeating Rau'shee Warren.

First shown in February 2017 rankingsView source

Rau'shee Warren

18 June 201610 February 2017

237 days

Became champion: 18 June 2016

Won the title by majority decision over Juan Carlos Payano at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago.

First shown in June 2016 rankingsView source

Juan Carlos Payano

26 September 201418 June 2016

631 days

Became champion: 26 September 2014

Won the title by defeating Anselmo Moreno.

First shown in September 2014 rankingsView source

Anselmo Moreno

October 201026 September 2014

The original October-labelled WBA ratings, covering movements through 16 November 2010, already list Moreno as Super Champion. The WBA’s 26 November convention report nevertheless describes a promotion request. The source conflict remains unresolved; neither the October label nor the convention publication establishes the designation day.

First shown in October 2010 rankingsView source

WBA Bantamweight - World Champion

Riku Masuda

20 July 2026Current

Became champion: 20 July 2026

Won the WBA title by defeating Daigo Higa by split decision at the Kokugikan in Tokyo.

First shown in July 2026 rankingsView source

Antonio Vargas

31 May 202620 July 2026

50 days

Became champion: 31 May 2026

Was reinstated as WBA world champion after Seiya Tsutsumi was designated champion in recess because of his medical condition.

First shown in May 2026 rankingsView source

Seiya Tsutsumi

November 202531 May 2026

Was confirmed as reinstated WBA world champion at the 6 November 2025 press conference announcing the Donaire bout, after Antonio Vargas entered recess. This establishes confirmation by 6 November, not the exact reinstatement decision day.

First shown in November 2025 rankingsView source

Antonio Vargas

17 May 2025October 2025

Became champion: 17 May 2025

Promoted from Interim Champion after Seiya Tsutsumi was named Champion in Recess because of a medical condition.

Bantamweight boxing rankings- March 1968

Month-over-month changes since March 1968

Month-over-month changes since February 1968

RINGMarch 1968 vs February 1968

Biggest risers

Biggest fallers

WBA Bantamweight Title History

WBA Bantamweight - Super Champion

WBA Bantamweight - World Champion

WBA Bantamweight - Interim Champion

WBA Bantamweight Title History

WBC Bantamweight Title History

WBC Bantamweight - World Champion

WBC Bantamweight Title History

IBF Bantamweight Title History

IBF Bantamweight - World Champion

IBF Bantamweight Title History

WBO Bantamweight Title History

WBO Bantamweight - Super Champion

WBO Bantamweight - World Champion

WBO Bantamweight - Interim Champion

WBO Bantamweight Title History

RING Bantamweight Title History

RING Bantamweight - World Champion

RING Bantamweight Title History

WBA Bantamweight Title History

WBA Bantamweight - Super Champion

WBA Bantamweight - World Champion

WBA Bantamweight - Interim Champion

WBC Bantamweight Title History

WBC Bantamweight - World Champion

IBF Bantamweight Title History

IBF Bantamweight - World Champion

WBO Bantamweight Title History

WBO Bantamweight - Super Champion

WBO Bantamweight - World Champion

WBO Bantamweight - Interim Champion

RING Bantamweight Title History

RING Bantamweight - World Champion