Russell, Davis, Hurd Crack 'Ring 100!'

Three Beltway Boxers have entered Ring Magazine's 2017 list of the 100 Best Fighters in the World. The list can be found in the January 2018 issue.

WBC Featherweight champion Gary Russell, Jr. moved up five spaces to number 25.  Russell (28-1, 17 KO's) was credited by the Ring staff for the lightning speed that he throws punches but he has only fought twice since he won the WBC title almost three years ago.  "The tools are there, the big wins aren't there just yet," said the Ring.

Former IBF Super Featherweight champ Gervonta Davis entered the Ring 100 at number 42.  Despite losing the title on the scales before his last win, Davis (19-0, 18 KO's).  The Ring staff said Davis demonstrated considerable speed and power capturing a world title at the age of 22.  However, Davis was compared to Adrian Broner as he lost the title because he was overweight. 

IBF Junior Middleweight titleholder Jarrett Hurd makes his first appearance on the list at number 70.  Hurd (21-0, 15 KO's) received enormous credit for showing what the Ring called, "poise, technique and talent" in his time in the spotlight.  The Ring editors did question how those traits will measure when Hurd faces the top junior middleweights.  The ranking, however, was completed prior to Hurd's stoppage of Austin Trout in October.