WBA’s new number-one contenders: Christian Mbilli at 168; Stephen Fulton at 126

The WBA’s latest ratings update — released September 30 — includes the installation of two new top contenders, putting them in line for potential title shots.

The WBA’s latest ratings update — released September 30 — includes the installation of two new top contenders, putting them in line for potential title shots.

At super middleweight, Christian Mbilli replaced Edgar Berlanga as the number-one contender. 

Berlanga (22-1, 17 KOs) lost a unanimous decision to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in September and is now ranked fourth. Mbilli (28-0, 23 KOs) was previously ranked second. In his past appearance, in August, he won a unanimous decision over Sergiy Derevyanchenko.

The WBA super-middleweight titleholder is Canelo, who also has the WBC and WBO belts, and is the lineal champion.

At featherweight, Stephen Fulton replaced Bruce Carrington as the number-one contender.

Fulton was previously rated second. The former unified junior-featherweight titleholder otherwise officially arrived at 126lbs in September on the undercard of Canelo-Berlanga. He won a close split decision over Carlos Castro, and is now 22-1 (8 KOs).

Carrington (13-0, 8 KOs) dropped to second. He won a majority decision over Sulaiman Segawa.

The WBA featherweight titleholder is Nick Ball, who is scheduled to defend that belt on Saturday against Ronny Rios.

David Greisman, who has covered boxing since 2004, is on Twitter @FightingWords2 and @UnitedBoxingPod. He is the co-host of the United Boxing Podcast. David’s book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” is available on Amazon.