The boxing world is preparing for an epic showdown on September 13th, when two of the best pugilists of this generation, Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford, will face each other at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. This fight, labeled by many as “the fight of the century”, has motivated Alofoke Deportes to present a list of the 25 best boxers who have stepped into the ring since the year 2000, analyzing where Canelo and Crawford stand in this ranking.
The Best of the Century: An In-Depth Analysis
Of the 17 retired boxers on the list, 14 are already members of the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF), and the remaining three – Gennadiy Golovkin, Vasiliy Lomachenko, and Tyson Fury – will join them when they are eligible. Manny Pacquiao, after being inducted into the IBHOF, joined a select group of boxers who have fought for a world title after this recognition. The rest of the list is made up of current undisputed champions, demonstrating the wealth of talent in contemporary boxing. The task of selecting the top 25 was not easy, but a panel of experts from Alofoke Deportes, composed of Andreas Hale, Mark Kriegel, Nick Parkinson, Bernardo Osuna, and Andres Ferrari, took on this arduous task. From Floyd Mayweather to Oleksandr Usyk, including Canelo and Crawford, here is the ranking of the best of the century.The Alofoke Deportes Ranking
- 1. Floyd Mayweather: An exceptional boxer of the 2000s. His intelligence in the ring, impenetrable defense, sublime footwork, and lethal precision made him almost invincible. His 50-0 record, with 27 KOs, and his world titles in five weight categories solidify him as one of the greatest.
- 2. Manny Pacquiao: The only world champion in eight weight divisions, Pacquiao is remembered for his aggressive and electrifying style. His career, which began at age 16, has kept him at the top for decades.
- 3. Bernard Hopkins: Known for his longevity and ability to adapt, Hopkins became the oldest world champion in boxing history.
- 4. Oleksandr Usyk: Current undisputed heavyweight champion, Usyk has proven his worth by defeating the best of his era.
- 5. Canelo Álvarez: The only undisputed super middleweight champion, Canelo has consolidated his position as one of the most important figures in current boxing.
- 6. Andre Ward: An accomplished technician, Ward retired undefeated after unifying titles in super middleweight and light heavyweight.
- 7. Terence Crawford: With an impeccable record, Crawford stands out for his will to win and his ability to finish fights.
- 8. Juan Manuel Márquez: Known for his memorable knockout of Manny Pacquiao, Márquez is a champion in four weight categories.
- 9. Roy Jones Jr.: One of the most talented athletes in boxing, Jones was a champion in four divisions.
- 10. Naoya Inoue: “The Monster” is one of the best boxers in the world, undisputed champion in two divisions.
- 11. Gennadiy Golovkin: With impressive power and a granite jaw, Golovkin was a constant on the pound-for-pound lists.
- 12. Joe Calzaghe: Retired undefeated, Calzaghe was the longest-reigning super middleweight champion.
- 13. Erik Morales: Morales left an indelible mark on Mexican boxing, being the first boxer from Mexico to win titles in four weight divisions.
- 14. Vasiliy Lomachenko: One of the best amateur boxers of all time, Lomachenko has demonstrated his talent in professionalism.
- 15. Oscar De La Hoya: The biggest star in boxing, De La Hoya won titles in six weight divisions.
- 16. Roman “Chocolatito” González: González has valued the smaller weight categories with his aggressiveness and combinations.
