Terence Crawford Regains Top Spot in Pound-for-Pound Rankings
After 16 months, Terence “Bud” Crawford has returned to the top of boxing, surpassing Oleksandr Usyk in the pound-for-pound rankings. This change comes after Usyk’s victory over Tyson Fury in May 2024, where Usyk had taken the top spot from Crawford. Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs) achieved an impressive victory over Canelo Álvarez, obtaining a unanimous decision in Las Vegas on Saturday. This triumph propelled Crawford from third place to number one. Crawford’s performance was brilliant, moving up two weight classes to challenge Canelo for the undisputed super middleweight championship. Furthermore, this victory made him the only boxer in the four-belt era (since 2007) to be undisputed champion in three divisions (super lightweight, welterweight, and super middleweight). Canelo (62-3-2, 39 KOs), a four-division champion, suffered his first defeat since losing to Dmitry Bivol in May 2022, when he moved up a division to challenge for the light heavyweight title. Following his defeat to Crawford, Canelo drops two positions, ranking at number 10. Naoya Inoue was also in action on Sunday in Nagoya, Japan, successfully defending his undisputed super bantamweight championship. Despite his victory, Inoue (31-0, 27 KOs) dropped one spot in the rankings, landing at number 3. This change reflects the growing support for Crawford more than any flaw in Inoue’s performance. Alofoke Deportes’ panel of experts, made up of several analysts, shared their votes for the elaboration of this ranking.Results as of September 17th.
Pound-for-Pound Ranking
- TERENCE CRAWFORD
- OLEKSANDR USYK
Division: Heavyweight (undisputed champion)
Last Fight: Won by KO in the fifth round (KO5) against Daniel Dubois, July 19th
Next Fight: To be announced Usyk is solidifying his position as the best heavyweight of this century. His definitive victory over Dubois made him undisputed champion once again. Joseph Parker is probably next in line to face Usyk.
- NAOYA INOUE
Division: Super bantamweight (undisputed champion)
Last Fight: Won by unanimous decision (UD12) against Murodjon Akhmadaliev, September 14th
Next Fight: December 27th against David Picasso Inoue was exceptional in dominating Akhmadaliev. However, due to Crawford’s shocking victory over Canelo, Inoue dropped one spot. Inoue will continue to showcase his excellence in the ring. He will face Picasso on December 27th and a match with Junto Nakatani is expected in 2026.
- DMITRY BIVOL
- JESSE RODRIGUEZ
Division: Super flyweight (unified champion)
Last Fight: Won by technical knockout in the tenth round (TKO10) against Phumelela Cafu, July 19
Next Fight: November 22 against Fernando Daniel Martínez At 25 years old, Rodriguez is underestimated despite his pound-for-pound status. He won another world title by defeating Cafu. He will face Martinez in November, which could lead to him being considered the boxer of the year.
- ARTUR BETERBIEV
Division: Light Heavyweight
Last Fight: Lost by majority decision (MD12) against Dmitry Bivol, February 22
Next Fight: November 22 against Deon Nicholson Beterbiev suffered the only loss of his professional career in a rematch against Bivol on February 22. However, the rematch could not be finalized due to Bivol’s surgery. Beterbiev will remain active and will face Nicholson on November 22.
- SHAKUR STEVENSON
Division: Lightweight (champion)
Last Fight: Won by unanimous decision (UD12) against William Zepeda, July 12th
Next Fight: To be announced Stevenson faced a demanding opponent and emerged victorious, adding more aggressiveness to his tactical style. He dominated Zepeda on July 12th. His biggest criticism is that he often makes his decision victories look easy. Stevenson used his jab, uppercuts, and combinations to slow down Zepeda.
- DAVID BENAVIDEZ
Division: Light Heavyweight (champion)
Last Fight: Won by unanimous decision (UD12) against David Morrell, February 1st
Next Fight: November 22nd against Anthony Yarde Benavidez has not been able to secure fights with the best. Now he is in a similar situation at light heavyweight. He will face Yarde in November.
- JUNTO NAKATANI
Division: Bantamweight (unified champion)
Last Fight: Won by technical knockout in the sixth round (TKO6) against Ryosuke Nishida, June 8
Next Fight: To be announced Nakatani unified the bantamweight titles on June 8 against Nishida. A showdown with Inoue seems to be on the horizon.
- CANELO ALVAREZ
Division: Super middleweight
Last Fight: Lost by unanimous decision (UD12) against Terence Crawford, September 13th
Next Fight: To be announced The Mexican superstar couldn’t find answers for Crawford and surrendered his undisputed super middleweight titles in Las Vegas. Canelo has been a pound-for-pound boxer for a decade, but was outboxed by Crawford. Are we witnessing the final years of one of the greatest Mexican boxers of all time? Canelo’s future is uncertain.
