Boxing: 7 fighters who could shine by moving up in weight. Canelo and Tank!

Terence Crawford seeks greatness by moving up two weight classes to face undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez on September 13 in Las Vegas. If he achieves victory, Crawford would solidify himself as one of the best boxers of this generation.What other boxers could benefit from moving up a weight class to face bigger challenges?We have identified seven pugilists who could greatly benefit from moving up one or two weight divisions. Some are obvious names, already discussed in the past, while others might be surprised to decide that the challenge is worth it.

Canelo Álvarez

Current category: 168 poundsProposed new category: 175 pounds

If Canelo overcomes Crawford, there wouldn’t be much left for him to do at 168 pounds, apart from a fight with Hamzah Sheeraz, where the risk doesn’t justify the reward. He already demonstrated his courage in 2022 by trying to conquer the light heavyweight title, losing to Dmitry Bivol. However, the light heavyweight landscape has become more interesting with the arrival of David Benavidez. Facing Benavidez would be an epic clash between Mexicans, silencing his critics.

Jai Opetaia

Current category: 200 poundsProposed new category: Heavyweight

Opetaia has dominated the cruiserweight category and his next challenge could be Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez. To make a greater impact, he could emulate Oleksandr Usyk and move up to heavyweight, where the opponents are more attractive. Fights with Daniel Dubois, Joseph Parker or Andy Ruiz Jr. would be interesting, but what about a fight with Usyk, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion and current undisputed heavyweight champion? It would be a fight that Usyk could consider before retiring.

Teofimo López

Current category: 140 poundsProposed new category: 147/154 poundsLópez is one of the best pound-for-pound boxers when he’s at his best. A jump to 147 pounds would prepare him to face the winner of Brian Norman Jr. vs. Devin Haney, scheduled for November 22. In addition, López could move up two weight classes to fight Jaron “Boots” Ennis. After dominating Arnold Barboza Jr. in May, López could pursue Ennis, who recently moved up to 154 pounds. This fight could differentiate López from his contemporaries, if he managed to be the first to defeat Ennis.

Gervonta “Tank” Davis

Current category: 135 poundsProposed new category: 147 pounds

“Tank” is one of boxing’s biggest stars, but he hasn’t faced a renowned opponent yet. Moving up to 147 pounds makes sense, considering the names that would await him. Besides a possible matchup with the winner of Norman vs. Haney, the real attraction would be a fight with the legendary Manny Pacquiao. Since Pacquiao drew with Mario Barrios in July, he still has an appeal that would make a fight with Davis worthwhile. Pacquiao’s manager, Sean Gibbons, has mentioned that a fight with Davis is in their plans. A match between these current and past legends would be a major event.

Shakur Stevenson

Current category: 135 poundsProposed new category: 140 poundsStevenson’s brilliance has made it difficult to secure fights with important names in his weight category. A jump to 140 pounds would provide him with opportunities against Lopez, Richardson Hitchins, and Subriel Matias. Stevenson, the best technical boxer at the moment, will need to change categories to get the recognition he deserves by facing more renowned boxers.

Junto Nakatani

Current category: 118 poundsProposed new category: 122 pounds

This long-rumored move is the most likely to materialize. Nakatani could move up to 122 pounds to challenge Naoya Inoue in a battle between ESPN’s No. 10 and No. 2 pound-for-pound boxers, respectively. They have already verbally agreed to face each other in 2026, although the weight category is still to be determined. “Big Bang” has been pursuing Inoue to become the biggest boxing star in Japan. They just need to stay the course, and this fight is secured.

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez

Current category: 115 poundsProposed new category: 122 poundsRodriguez, 25 years old, is ESPN’s number 5 pound-for-pound boxer. If “Bam” were to move up from 115 to 122 pounds, he could face Inoue in a battle of finishers. With a combined record of 52-0, with 42 knockouts, it would be an action fight that could be a candidate for Fight of the Year.