If part of the definition of the word pound for pound is being able to beat different boxers in different sizes and weight classes, then what unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk accomplished on Saturday deserves even more praise than it already does.
Usyk, a 2012 Olympic gold medalist who became the undisputed champion at both cruiserweight and heavyweight, was already considered by many to be the king of P4P entering his rematch in Saudi Arabia against Tyson Fury. But considering Fury moving up in weight for their second fight, which Usyk captured by unanimous decision In a nip-and-tuck affair, the Ukraine native could be competing for the super heavyweight title.
With Fury entering at a career-high 281 pounds, Usyk was forced to overcome a 55-pound weight disadvantage, which only added to the fact that the 36-year-old Fury was a year younger, six inches taller and had a reach. Eight full inch edges.
In the end, just like in their first meeting (which Fury edged via split decision in a thriller), none of it seemed to matter as skill once again billed for Usic (23-0, 14 KOs). It paid off in what might have been the most impressive win of his already legendary career.
Later forced to endure a targeted body attack During their primary fight in MayIt was Usyk who set a frenetic pace and turned the tables on the rematch by battling to the opening bell of fury. Usyk relentlessly went to the body while employing incredible defense and head movement to be able to work within punching range against his larger opponent without paying the price.
In the end, Usyk had the better of almost every corner after 12 very close rounds where Fury largely succeeded in his efforts to match Usyk’s pace but proved unable to overtake him.
How good was Usyk in clinical takedowns of his most competitive rivals? Compubox’s stats told the story as Usyk outlasted Outlanded and Fury and came out of the fight without a scratch on his face, all the while connecting on an absurd 43% of his overall punches and 50% of his power shots.
Usyk may only have seven fights as a heavyweight, making it difficult to compare his career accomplishments to the most decorated champions in history, but he’s had the most of his time in the division with two wins over Fury, two over Anthony Joshua and two wins. A late stoppage of reigning IBF champion Daniel Dubois, who could be Usyk’s next opponent in a rematch on February 22 if he gets past former champion Joseph Parker.
It took only 23 career fights for Usyk to establish himself as the best heavyweight of this generation and one of the true all-time greats of this century. Not bad for a fighter who, at 6-foot-3, was once considered too small to stand up to these flamboyant, Renaissance-era powerhouses.
Using a criteria that considers everything from achievements to current form, let’s take a closer look at the top fighters inside the ring. Below is the latest pound for pound ranking update following Usyk’s win in December.
Pound-for-pound ranking
1. Alexander Usyk
Undisputed Heavyweight Champion (23-0, 14 KOs) | Previous ranking: No. 1
Usyk’s professional run has been decorated as it has been perfect. The former undisputed cruiserweight champ, who reached the same status as four-belt champion at heavyweight in his split-decision victory over Tyson Fury in May, had the better of their December rematch. Despite dropping 55 pounds to claim a unanimous decision, Usyk cemented himself as one of the greatest boxers in division history by skillfully outworking Fury.
2. Naoya Inoue
Undisputed Junior Featherweight Champion (25-0, 23 KOs) | Previous ranking: No. 2
The four-division champion, who has reached undisputed positions in two different weight classes, continued his legendary hold on the sport by rising from the canvas and finishing Luis Neri in their May title fight at the Tokyo Dome. “The Monster” seemed a lot more defensive when he took it apart in September Stopped former champion TJ Doheny. Inoue’s December comeback was postponed after mandatory opponent Sam Goodman was cut in training.
3. Terence Crawford
WBA Junior Middleweight Champion (40-0, 29 KOs) | Previous ranking: No. 3
In his long-awaited return after demolishing Errol Spence Jr. last summer, Crawford moved up to 154 pounds. Hold WBA champion Israel Madrimov short. Despite what turned out to be one of the toughest fights of Crawford’s career, “Bud” remains adamant that the only fight he’s interested in is a fight with super middleweight king Canelo Alvarez.
4. Arthur Beterbiev
Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion (21-0, 20 KOs) | Previous ranking: 4
Beterbiev put to rest any whispers that he was getting old by knocking out former 168-pound-champion Calum Smith in January. With his forced career and knee surgery behind him, Beterbiev finally faced undefeated Dmitry Bivol in the division’s first four-belt, undisputed clash. Beterbiev walked away with a controversial majority decision as fans eagerly await an immediate rematch on February 22.
5. Dmitry Bivol
Light heavyweight (23-1, 12 KOs) | Previous ranking: No. 5
Talk about bad luck. Bival appeared to land the cleaner, setting shot against Artur Beterbiev in an undisputed light heavyweight clash that showcased some of the best combined skills in boxing today. But the Russia native was forced to settle for a controversial loss via majority decision in a thrilling and close fight. The only thing next for both fighters (and the sport, at large) is an immediate rematch set for February 22.
6. Canelo Alvarez
Unified Super Middleweight Champion (62-2-2, 38 KOs) | Previous ranking: No. 6
The former P4P king is still a unified champion at 168 pounds, and he proved it in May by overwhelming compatriot Jaime Munguia. But despite the constant push from fans and media to fight the former David Benavidez or Terence Crawford, much scrutiny remains. Alvarez returned in September to dominate the undefeated Edgar Berlanga In Las Vegas.
7. Gervonta Davis
WBA Lightweight Champion (30-0, 28 KOs) | Previous Rankings: 7
Davis’ body-shot knockout of Ryan Garcia in their superfight last April looks even better now that “King Ryan” became the first boxer to knock out former undisputed lightweight king Devin Haney. With a 2023 prison sentence behind him, “Tank” was back June to wipe out undefeated Frank Martin. Davis was expected to return in December against Lamont Roach Jr. but the fight was rescheduled for March.
8. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez
Flyweight, Jr. Bantamweight titleholder (20-0, 13 KOs) | Previous ranking: 8
The 24-year-old phenom from San Antonio landed just shy of 50% of his power shots. Knock out 115-pound titleholder Juan Francisco Estrada Rodriguez returned in November to defend his junior bantamweight title by stopping Pedro Guevara in Philadelphia in July.
9. Shakur Stevenson
WBC Lightweight Champion (22-0, 10 KOs) | Previous ranking: No. 9
Although he was nearly kicked out of the arena — in his hometown, no less — While defending his title against Artem Harutyun In July, Stevenson limited his opponents to just 17% of his punches and landed single digits in all but one round. The three-division champion, now promoted by Matchroom Sport, will return on February 22 against undefeated prospect Floyd Schofield Jr.
10. David Benavidez
Interim Light Heavyweight Titleholder (29-0, 24 KOs) | Previous ranking: No. 10
Frustrated as he waited for his shot at undisputed 168-pound king Canelo Alvarez, “El Monstro” moved up in weight to outlast former champion Oleksandr Govozdyk in June. Benavidez, who later revealed injuries to both hands during training camp (which may have prevented him from scoring stoppages), will return to the Feb. 1 pay-per-view clash against undefeated David Morell Jr. to shoot the winner. of Beterbiev-Bivol II.
Excluded: None of them
Honorable Mention: Tyson Fury, Teofimo Lopez Jr., Junto Nakatani, Vasiliy Lomachenko, Devin Haney
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