WBO Middleweight Rankings | Latest

Rank	WBOOctober 2026
	Vacant
1	Yoenli Hernandez
2	Vito Mielnicki Jr
3	Tim Tszyu
4	Michael Zerafa
5	Fiodor Czerkaszyn
6	Shane Mosley Jr
7	Jahi Tucker
8	Giovanni Sarchioto
9	Ismael Flores
10	Callum Walsh
11	Euri Cedeno
12	Troy Isley+1
13	Brad Pauls-1
14	Stephen McKenna
15	George Liddard

Source

Latest published list

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. The latest WBO month loaded is October 2026.

Month-over-month changes since September 2026

The title is now vacant(previously held by Denzel Bentley)

Became champion: 30 October 2026

The WBO withdrew recognition and declared the title vacant after Bentley failed to comply with mandatory championship obligations against Yoenli Hernandez.

First shown in October 2026 rankingsView source

Biggest risers

Troy IsleyClimbed a place to #12
+1

Biggest fallers

Brad PaulsSlipped a spot to #13
-1

WBO Middleweight 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 April 1989, combining ranking archives and sourced title records.

Explore the middleweight title-change timeline across all organizations

WBO Middleweight - Super Champion

Kelly Pavlik

29 September 2007May 2010

Became champion: 29 September 2007

Won the title by defeating Jermain Taylor.

First shown in December 2008 rankingsView source

Jermain Taylor

16 July 2005October 2007

Became champion: 16 July 2005

Won the title by defeating Bernard Hopkins.

First shown in May 2006 rankingsView source

Bernard Hopkins

18 September 2004August 2005

Became champion: 18 September 2004

Won the title by defeating Oscar De La Hoya.

First shown in December 2004 rankingsView source

Oscar De La Hoya

5 June 2004October 2004

Became champion: 5 June 2004

Won the title by defeating Felix Sturm.

First shown in June 2004 rankingsView source

WBO Middleweight - World Champion

Denzel Bentley

20 July 202630 October 2026

102 days

Became champion: 20 July 2026

Promoted from Interim Champion after Janibek Alimkhanuly vacated the WBO middleweight title to move to super middleweight, as confirmed by WBO President Gustavo Olivieri.

First shown in July 2026 rankingsView source

Zhanibek Alimkhanuly

26 August 202220 July 2026

1,424 days

Became champion: 26 August 2022

Promoted from Interim Champion after Demetrius Andrade vacated the title.

View source

Demetrius Andrade

20 October 201826 August 2022

1,406 days

Became champion: 20 October 2018

Won the title by defeating Walter Kautondokwa.

First shown in November 2018 rankingsView source

Billy Joe Saunders

19 December 201511 October 2018

1,027 days

Became champion: 19 December 2015

Won the title by defeating Andy Lee.

First shown in January 2016 rankingsView source

Andy Lee

13 December 201419 December 2015

371 days

Became champion: 13 December 2014

Won the title by defeating Matt Korobov.

First shown in December 2014 rankingsView source

Peter Quillin

20 October 20124 September 2014

684 days

Became champion: 20 October 2012

Won the title by defeating Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam.

First shown in November 2012 rankingsView source

Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam

25 August 201220 October 2012

56 days

Became champion: 25 August 2012

Promoted from Interim Champion after Dmitry Pirog vacated the title rather than face his mandatory challenger.

View source

Dmitry Pirog

31 July 201025 August 2012

756 days

Became champion: 31 July 2010

Won the title by defeating Daniel Jacobs.

First shown in August 2010 rankingsView source

Sergio Martinez

17 April 201029 May 2010

42 days

Became champion: 17 April 2010

Won the title by defeating Kelly Pavlik.

First shown in May 2010 rankingsView source

Felix Sturm

13 September 2003June 2004

Became champion: 13 September 2003

Won the title by defeating Héctor Velazco.

First shown in October 2003 rankingsView source

Hector Javier Velazco

8 July 200313 September 2003

67 days

Became champion: 8 July 2003

Promoted from Interim Champion after Harry Simon was placed in recess.

View source

Harry Simon

6 April 20028 July 2003

458 days

Became champion: 6 April 2002

Won the full WBO title by defeating Armand Krajnc by unanimous decision.

First shown in April 2002 rankingsView source

Armand Krajnc

27 November 19996 April 2002

861 days

Became champion: 27 November 1999

Won the title by defeating Jason Matthews.

First shown in January 2000 rankingsView source

Jason Matthews

17 July 1999November 1999

Became champion: 17 July 1999

Won the vacant title by defeating Ryan Rhodes.

View source

Bert Schenk

30 January 1999July 1999

Became champion: 30 January 1999

Won the vacant title by defeating Freeman Barr.

View source

Otis Grant

13 December 1997November 1998

Became champion: 13 December 1997

Won the title by defeating Ryan Rhodes.

View source

Lonnie Bradley

19 May 1995November 1997

Became champion: 19 May 1995

Won the vacant title by defeating David Mendez.

View source

Steve Collins

11 May 1994April 1995

Became champion: 11 May 1994

Won the title by defeating Chris Pyatt.

View source

Chris Pyatt

19 May 1993May 1994

Became champion: 19 May 1993

Won the vacant title by defeating Sumbu Kalambay.

View source

Gerald McClellan

20 November 1991April 1993

Became champion: 20 November 1991

Won the vacant title by defeating John Mugabi.

View source

Chris Eubank

18 November 1990July 1991

Became champion: 18 November 1990

Won the title by defeating Nigel Benn.

View source

Nigel Benn

29 April 1990November 1990

Became champion: 29 April 1990

Won the title by defeating Doug DeWitt.

View source

Doug Dewitt

18 April 1989April 1990

Became champion: 18 April 1989

Won the title by defeating Robbie Sims.

View source

WBO Middleweight - Interim Champion

Denzel Bentley

4 April 202620 July 2026

107 days

Became champion: 4 April 2026

Won the interim title by stopping Endry Saavedra in the seventh round.

First shown in April 2026 rankingsView source

Avtandil Khurtsidze

22 April 2017June 2017

Became champion: 22 April 2017

Won the interim WBO title by stopping Tommy Langford in the fifth round.

First shown in April 2017 rankingsView source

Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam

4 May 2012August 2012

Became champion: 4 May 2012

Won the interim WBO title by defeating Max Bursak by unanimous decision in Levallois-Perret, France.

First shown in May 2012 rankingsView source

Harry Simon

21 July 2001August 2001

Became champion: 21 July 2001

Won the interim WBO title by defeating Hacine Cherifi by unanimous decision.

First shown in July 2001 rankingsView source

WBO Middleweight Title History

Frequently asked questions

Where does this WBO Middleweight ranking data come from?

The list is taken from the official WBO ranking publication for this division. Box-Rank formats that published list so you can browse it alongside other months and organizations.

How often are the rankings updated?

Most organizations publish monthly rankings within the first two weeks of each month, though timing can vary. Box-Rank checks for new documents every month and aims to have new lists live within 24-48 hours of official publication.

Why isn't a specific boxer ranked?

A boxer may be inactive, unrecognized by that organization, or recently moved to a different weight class. The table reflects only the officially published top contenders. Extended inactivity, significant losses, or rule violations can also lead to removal.

What does Vacant mean in a ranking table?

Vacant means that organization has not named a champion or holder for that slot in this published list. It is not a ranked boxer. The rest of the contender order still comes from the same official document.

WBO Middleweight boxing rankings

Month-over-month changes since September 2026

Biggest risers

Biggest fallers