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WBO Bantamweight Boxing Rankings — March 2017

Official Bantamweight rankings for March 2017 from the WBO.

Presented as a historical snapshot for that month. Use the weight-class arrows to move up or down divisions, the month controls to jump between updates, and click any fighter's name to see their ranking history with the WBO.

Division
Period
Org
RankWBOMarch 2017
🏆Philippines flagMarlon Tapales
Champion

1Philippines flagArthur Villanueva
2South Africa flagZolani Tete
3Argentina flagOmar Andres Narvaez
4Russia flagNikolay Potapov▲+4
5Namibia flagImmanuel JalaNEW
6Japan flagShohei Omori
7Mexico flagLuis Nery
8United States flagAntonio Nieves▼-4
9Japan flagTakuma Inoue
10Ghana flagDuke Micah▲+2
11Puerto Rico flagEmmanuel Rodriguez▼-1
12Thailand flagPanya Uthok▼-1
13United Kingdom flagRyan Burnett▲+1
14United Kingdom flagPaul Butler▼-1
15Philippines flagReymart Gaballo

Source: WBO

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About the Bantamweight Division

Weight Limit: 115-118 lbs (52.2-53.5 kg)

Bantamweight is one of boxing's classic divisions, with a history dating back to the early days of professional boxing. The division features fast, skilled fighters known for their technical ability.

Division Characteristics

Bantamweights are known for their speed, technical skill, and ability to fight at a high pace. Fighters in this division typically rely on skill and volume punching.

Notable Facts

The Bantamweight division has been home to many legendary fighters throughout boxing history. The division is known for producing exciting, fast-paced fights.

Historical Context

Bantamweight has long been one of boxing's most respected divisions, with a rich history of competitive matchups and memorable championship fights.

Learn more about how boxing rankings work or explore current world champions across all divisions.

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Compare WBA, WBC, IBF & WBO in Bantamweight.

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Alphabetical directory of ranked fighters.

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Month-over-month changes since February 2017

Entered the top 10

  • NA flag
    Immanuel JalaNow in the top 10 at #5
  • GH flag
    Duke MicahNow #10 (was #12)

Dropped out of the top 10

  • NA flag
    Immanuel NaidjalaLast ranked #5
  • PR flag
    Emmanuel RodriguezJust outside at #11

Biggest risers

  • RU flag
    Nikolay PotapovUp 4 places to #4
    ▲+4
  • GH flag
    Duke MicahNow ranked #10 (was #12)
    ▲+2
  • IE flag
    Ryan BurnettFrom #14 to #13
    ▲+1

Biggest fallers

  • PR flag
    Antonio NievesDown 4 places to #8
    ▼-4
  • PR flag
    Emmanuel RodriguezFrom #10 to #11
    ▼-1
  • TH flag
    Panya UthokFrom #11 to #12
    ▼-1

WBO Bantamweight Title History

Champions who have held each belt, from oldest to most recent. Title history only goes back as far as our earliest WBO monthly rankings (January 2000).

WBO Bantamweight — Super Champion

Japan flagNaoya Inoue
December 2022 — January 2023
2 months
Mexico flagJorge Arce
April 2012 — June 2012
3 months
Mexico flagFernando Montiel
June 2010 — March 2011
10 months

WBO Bantamweight — Champion

Mexico flagChristian Medina Jimenez
September 2025 — Current
9 months
Japan flagYoshiki Takei
May 2024 — September 2025
1 year 5 months
Australia flagJason Moloney
June 2023 — May 2024
1 year
United Kingdom flagPaul Butler
May 2022 — December 2022
8 months
Philippines flagJohn Riel Casimero
December 2019 — May 2022
2 years 6 months
South Africa flagZolani Tete
April 2017 — December 2019
2 years 9 months
Philippines flagMarlon Tapales
July 2016 — April 2017
10 months
Thailand flagPungluang Sor Singyu
August 2015 — July 2016
1 year
Japan flagTomoki Kameda
August 2013 — May 2015
1 year 10 months
Namibia flagPaulus Ambunda
March 2013 — August 2013
6 months
Thailand flagPungluang Sor Singyu
November 2012 — March 2013
5 months
Mexico flagJorge Arce
November 2011 — April 2012
6 months
Philippines flagNonito Donaire
March 2011 — November 2011
9 months
Mexico flagFernando Montiel
May 2009 — June 2010
1 year 2 months
Philippines flagGerry Penalosa
September 2007 — May 2009
1 year 9 months
Mexico flagJhonny Gonzalez
November 2005 — September 2007
1 year 11 months
Thailand flagRatanachai Sor Vorapin
June 2004 — November 2005
1 year 6 months
United States flagMark Johnson
May 2004 — June 2004
2 months
United States flagCruz Carbajal
April 2002 — May 2004
2 years 2 months
Panama flagMauricio Martinez
September 2000 — April 2002
1 year 8 months
Mexico flagJohnny Tapia
January 2000 — September 2000
9 months

WBO Bantamweight — Interim Champion

Philippines flagJohn Riel Casimero
May 2019 — December 2019
8 months
Mexico flagAlejandro Hernandez
June 2014 — November 2014
6 months
Puerto Rico flagEric Morel
March 2010 — October 2010
8 months
Mexico flagFernando Montiel
April 2009 — May 2009
2 months