Two pound-for-pound entrants from opposite sides of the scales have been in action over recent weeks, though neither of them impressed.
On October 28, the WBC and lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury faced off against former UFC star Francis Ngannoui in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While Fury would win the fight, he had to get off the floor to do so and it was a closer encounter than anyone could have expected. As a result of this performance, Fury has fallen off the pound-for-pound list, making way for unbeaten lightweight star Gervonta Davis.
MORE: Ngannou heroics expose how Fury, Wilder and Joshua squandered golden era
Just short of three weeks after the Fury-Ngannou bout, Shakur Stevenson took on unheralded contender Edwin De Los Santos for the vacant WBC lightweight title. As was the case with Fury, the unbeaten Stevenson was way below par but managed to pick up his third divisional championship via unanimous decision. Despite the world title win, there would be no rise in these ratings for the Newark-born lefty.
The Sporting News now takes a detailed look at the Top-12 pound-for-pound boxers in the world today:
12. Gervonta Davis
- Record: 29-0 (27 KOs)
- Current Titles: N/A
One of the hardest-hitting fighters in world boxing, "Tank" Davis is also a pay-per-view star with the boxing world at his feet.
The Baltimore-born champion has won world titles at super featherweight, lightweight, and super lightweight. Some belts have been more meaningful than others, but there's no doubting Davis' overall quality.
"Tank" is coming off a career-defining victory over the previously unbeaten Ryan Garcia, who he stopped in seven rounds. If he can post similar results against the likes of Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson, then he will ascend these rankings at high speed.
Next Fight: TBA
11. Vasiliy Lomachenko
- Record: 17-3 (11 KOs)
- Current Titles: N/A
Following a lackluster showing against rising lightweight force Jemaine Lopez last October, there were many crying out for Lomachenko's athletic obituary.
Not so fast!
Lomachenko may have lost the decision to undisputed lightweight king Devin Haney on May 20, but he turned in an inspired performance, and in the opinion of many was very unlucky not to have regained the championship.
The same skills that took the Ukrainian wizard to two Olympic gold medals, three professional world titles, and secured victories over Gary Russell Jr. (MD 12), Roman Martinez (KO 5), Nicholas Walters (TKO 7), Guillermo Rigondeaux (TKO 6), and Jorge Linares (TKO 10) are still in evidence.
Next Fight: TBA
10. Juan Francisco Estrada
- Record: 44-3 (28 KOs)
- Current Titles: WBC and Ring Magazine super-flyweight
Mexican star Estrada successfully marries the blood and guts tenacity of his home country with a cerebral approach to the fight game. A former unified champion at flyweight, “El Gallo” moved up to 115 pounds and has enjoyed considerable success.
He may be closer to the end than the beginning, but the 32-year-old Estrada has already punched his ticket to the Hall of Fame with a plethora of career-defining wins: Brian Viloria (SD 12), Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (UD 12), and Roman Gonzalez (MD 12, SD 12) to name a few.
Next fight: TBA
9. Shakur Stevenson
- Record: 21-0 (10 KOs)
- Current Titles: N/A
Now a three-weight world champion, Stevenson is extraordinarily talented and that's regardless of his listless showing against Edwin De Los Santos. An Olympic silver medallist, Stevenson has adapted brilliantly to the professional ranks and his best nights are ahead of him.
The New Jersey-born star already holds impressive victories over Jamel Herring (TKO 10), Oscar Valdez (UD 12), and Robson Conceicao (UD 12).
Next fight: TBA
8. Errol Spence Jr.
- Record: 28-1 (22 KOs)
- Current Titles: N/A
While his world just came crashing down against Crawford, the fact remains that Spence is still an elite-level fighter. The 33-year-old Texan is as good on the inside as he is on the outside, and his punch variety is exceptional.
Among his top wins are Kell Brook (KO 11), Shawn Porter (SD 12), Danny Garcia (UD 12), and Yordenis Ugas (TKO 10).
Don't write off "The Truth" from posting more career-defining wins in the future.
Next fight: Spence stated that he would activate his rematch clause and face Crawford a second time.
7. Teofimo Lopez
- Record: 19-1 (13 KOs)
- Current Titles: WBO and Ring Magazine super lightweight
Following a history-making triumph over the previously unbeaten Josh Taylor, it's highly likely that Lopez will be making a return to any pound-for-pound list worth reading.
When he defeated Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020, Lopez was the toast of the boxing world and a solid pound-for-pound entrant. However, a humbling loss to George Kambosos Jr. and poor performances since left the 25-year-old on the outside looking in.
But in boxing, it only takes one fight to get back on top, and that's precisely what Lopez has done. Turning in his best effort since beating Lomachenko, Lopez outboxed Taylor over 12 rounds and picked up a unanimous decision triumph.
Next fight: TBA
6. Devin Haney
- Record: 30-0 (15 KOs)
- Current Titles: Undisputed lightweight
"The Dream" just outpointed Vasiliy Lomachenko in what is undoubtedly a career-best triumph on paper. However, not everyone was convinced by the unanimous decision win, with many fans calling for an immediate rematch.
The quest for respect continues.
Last year, Haney ventured to Australia for an undisputed title clash with George Kambosos Jr., who had unseated unified champ Teofimo Lopez. Haney, 24, outclassed Kambosos (UD 12) to emerge as the first undisputed lightweight champion since Pernell Whitaker in the late 1980s. The young champ's speed, skill, judgment of distance, and technical know-how are of the highest caliber.
Other impressive wins include Jorge Linares (UD 12), Joseph Diaz Jr. (UD 12), and a rematch win over Kambosos (UD 12).
Next fight: Fights WBC super lightweight champ Regis Prograis on December 9.
5. Dmitry Bivol
- Record: 21-0 (11 KOs)
- Current Titles: WBA light heavyweight
He came from out of nowhere and he’s here to stay.
Bivol, 32, was a long-reigning light-heavyweight titleholder when he was drafted in as a sacrificial lamb for boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez. Things didn’t go to plan. The talented and rangy Bivol outclassed the Mexican star over 12 rounds to crash the pound-for-pound list and break free of the pack. In November, the Russian technician impressively outboxed the previously unbeaten Gilberto Ramirez. Bivol also holds victories over Jean Pascal (UD 12) and Joe Smith Jr. (UD 12).
Next fight: Lyndon Arthur on December 23.
4. Canelo Alvarez
- Record: 60-2-2 (39 KOs)
- Current Titles: Undisputed super middleweight
Canelo is the biggest star in boxing.
A former champion at super welterweight, middleweight, and light heavyweight, the Mexican star currently holds all the marbles at 168 pounds. With next to no amateur foundation, Canelo learned on the job as a pro and developed into a well-rounded and skilled competitor.
Dmitry Bivol got the best of him in May 2022, but Canelo’s resume is the envy of his peers: Erislandy Lara (SD 12), Miguel Cotto (UD 12), Gennadiy Golovkin (MD 12, UD 12), Daniel Jacobs (UD 12), Sergey Kovalev (KO 11), and Jermell Charlo (UD 12) to name a few.
Next fight: TBA
3. Oleksandr Usyk
- Record: 21-0 (14 KOs)
- Current Titles: IBF, WBA, WBO, and Ring Magazine Heavyweight
A former Olympic champion, an undisputed cruiserweight champion, and the reigning unified heavyweight champion of the world. Usyk, 35, is arguably the finest technician in boxing today and he’s the complete package. Blessed with rapier hand speed, quick feet, incredible athleticism, and unmatched ring IQ, the Ukrainian wizard holds career-defining wins over Mairis Briedis (MD 12), Murat Gassiev (UD 12), and Anthony Joshua (UD 12, SD 12). Following the fifth-round controversy, the champ successfully defended the IBF, WBA, WBO, and Ring titles he took from Joshua against mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois in Wroclaw, Poland, stopping the Briton in nine.
Next fight: Takes on Tyson Fury for the undisputed heavyweight title on February 17.
2. Naoya Inoue
- Record: 25-0 (22 KOs)
- Current Titles: WBC and WBO super bantamweight
Is there a more apt nickname in boxing than “The Monster?” From the moment he turned professional, Inoue, 30, possessed crushing punch power, blazing hand speed, and exemplary technique. Now a three-weight world champion, the Japanese star holds signature wins over Emmanuel Rodriguez (TKO 2), Nonito Donaire (UD 12/ TKO 2), and Stephen Fulton (TKO 8)
Next fight: Takes on Marlon Tapalas for the undisputed super bantamweight title on December 26.
1. Terence Crawford
- Record: 40-0 (31 KOs)
- Current Titles: Undisputed welterweight
Crawford is one of the most decorated and gifted world champions in boxing today. “Bud” followed world title success at lightweight by becoming the undisputed champion at 140 pounds. The 35-year-old boxing master has been campaigning at welterweight since 2018 and he has now taken undisputed honors in that division, too.
Notable triumphs have come against Errol Spence (TKO 9), Ricky Burns (UD 12), Yuriorkis Gamboa (TKO 9), Viktor Postol (UD 12), and Shawn Porter (TKO 10).
Next fight: Spence has already stated he'll activate his rematch clause and "Bud" will be more than willing to run it back.