Karen Chukhadzhian Cracks The Ring’s Welterweight Top 10 Rankings

Karen Chukhadzhian has been moved up to the #10 spot in The Ring’s new welterweight rankings following Jin Sasaki’s defeat. Chukhadzhian (25-3, 13 KOs) is known by fans for the tough time he gave Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, particularly in their rematch last November in Philadelphia.

Karen’s Elite 147-lb Talent

Chukhadzhian made Boots look like a rank amateur, hitting him at will with potshots all night, and even out-slugging him. He was like a cross between Artur Beterbiev and Floyd Mayweather Jr. with how he looked in that fight, and Ennis was lucky to get the win.

That was an impressive performance from Karen, who showed that his talent is among the best in the 147-lb division. Chukhadzhian should have been moved up to the top five spot after that fight because no one else would have fought Ennis to a standstill. After the fight, Boots looked depressed in the post-fight press conference. He knew that Karen had schooled him.

Chukhadzhian Enters Welterweight Top 10

Analyzing Ring’s Welterweight Rankings

Champion: Jaron Ennis

1 Brian Norman Jr.
2 Eimantas Stanionis
3 Mario Barrios
4 Giovani Santillan
5 Shakhram Giyasov
6 Rohan Polanco
7 Alexis Rocha
8 Raul Curiel
9 Ekow Essuman
10 Karen Chukhadzhian

Some of those fighters don’t belong on the top 10 list. I’d remove Stanionis, Rocha, and Barrios. Those guys lack the talent to be in the top 10.

Interestingly, the Rings’ updated welterweight rankings have recently knocked out former WBA champion Eimantas Stanionis at #2 despite being stopped in the sixth round by Boots last April in a fight that was one-sided from start to finish. That #2 ranking makes zero sense when compared to how closely Chukhadzhian had fought Ennis.

My Improved Welterweight Top 10

1 Brian Norman Jr.
2 Karen Chukhadzhian
3 Shakhram Giyasov
4 Rohan Polanco
5 Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero
6 Devin Haney
7 Conor Benn
8 Raul Curiel
9 Ekow Essuman
10 Ryan Garcia

Promotional Hurdles for Chukhadzhian

Unfortunately for Chukhadzhian, he’s not with one of the big promotional companies that could get him the fight and publicity that he needs to make more out of his career. If he were with Matchroom or Top Rank, he’d be given opportunities to make a name for himself.