Boxing Pound-For-Pound Rankings Ahead of Canelo-Charlo Clash

Terence Crawford still sits atop my pound-for-pound rankings just over a month after his dominant TKO victory over Errol Spence. The latter has executed his rematch clause, so a second meeting is on the way for both men.

Nothing on schedule in September will knock Crawford from the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. The biggest fight on paper this month has my No. 3, Canelo Alvarez, defending his undisputed super middleweight crowns against Jermell Charlo on Sept. 30 in Las Vegas.

While this matchup is intriguing, Canelo is a minus-410 favorite over Charlo, who isn’t on my or most pound-for-pound lists. Therefore, a win for the Mexican legend isn’t likely to generate a buzz big enough for him to vault the idle Naoya Inoue for my No. 2 spot–let alone reach Crawford at the top.

Here is my Top 10, focusing on what’s likely next for each fighter.

1 – Terence Crawford 40-0, 31 KOs

Last Fight – 9th-Round TKO victory over Errol Spence on July 29

Crawford and Spence are on a collision course for a rematch, perhaps later this year. The fight could occur at 154 pounds, where both men might be more comfortable. Will that lead to a better result for Spence or more of the same for Crawford? If Crawford wins, will the move up in weight be a more appropriate segue to a bout at an even higher weight class against Canelo?

If so, it’s not a bad financial or legacy exit plan for Crawford, who has solidified his place among the sport’s all-time greats.

2 – Naoya Inoue 25-0, 22 KOs

Last Fight – 8th-Round TKO victory over Stephen Fulton on July 25

Everyone in the weight region wants a crack at The Monster. Luis Alberto Lopez and John Riel Casimero seemingly have their sights set on a bout with Inoue.

No one on the scene would be favored over the Japanese superstar.

3 – Canelo Alvarez 58-2-2, 39 KOs

Last Fight – Unanimous Decision win over John Ryder on May 6

Has Canelo lost a step? Is he still as hungry as he once was? Charlo and his fans might hope the answer to both questions is no.

It would appear that may be the only chance he has of defeating Canelo after jumping two weight classes for the fight opportunity of a lifetime.

4 – Dmitry Bivol 21-0, 11 KOs

Last Fight – Unanimous Decision win over Gilberto Ramirez Nov 2022

When you’re Bivol, what’s harder to find, respect, or an opponent? That’s a tricky question, but it outlines the Russian boxing machine’s two biggest professional dilemmas.

After dismantling two top-notch fighters like Canelo and Ramirez, Bivol still needs to break past some of the more prominent names in the sport on pound-for-pound lists.

Moreover, his management team recently spoke about their struggles to find an opponent for their fighter.

“The priority is to return to the ring in October or November,” Bivol’s manager, Vadim Kornilov, said, per Boxing Scene. “There is no confirmed date yet, and there are several reasons for this. The main one concerns the general will of our team, some circumstances…. it is difficult to find an opponent – but there are some developments, searches, and the negotiations are ongoing.”

A rematch with Canelo is his best path to more respect and the highest possible payday. However, based on how Bivol handled Canelo at light heavyweight, it would be a surprise if the latter was eager for a rematch.

5 – Tyson Fury 33-0-1, 24 KOs

Last Fight – 10th-Round TKO win over Dereck Chisora in Dec. 2022

Fury’s fight with Francis Ngannou in October is a money grab with little risk. As powerful as the former UFC heavyweight champion is, the chances he can land a shot of magnitude on a guy as gifted and experienced as Fury is slim.

Still, the two men will be paid handsomely for their efforts. Good on them, but it is safe to say Fury cannot move up on this list with that fight.

If something goes unexpectedly wrong, though, he could plummet.

6 – Oleksandr Usyk 21-0, 14 KOs (UP 1 Spot)

Last Fight – 9th-Round KO win over Daniel DuBois in August

Aside from a controversial moment caused by a low blow from Daniel DuBois, things went according to plan for Usyk in his ninth-round KO win in late August.

Usyk was up 78-73 and 79-72×2 on the scorecards, so he was in complete control of the fight. Usyk did enough to leap the idle Gervonta Davis. Still, he needs a win over a bigger-name heavyweight (Fury, Anthony Joshua, or even the young Jared Anderson) to grab more attention.

7 – Gervonta Davis 29-0, 27 KOs (Down 1 Spot)

Last Fight – 7th-Round KO win over Ryan Garcia in April

The most electrifying fighter in the smaller weight classes and Inoue don’t have a fight scheduled, which is understandable considering he just finished a 44-day jail sentence in July.

Hopefully, Davis’ legal issues are behind him, and he can focus on being the best professional possible. Several potentially spectacular fights are on the horizon for the 28-year-old, but the conversation around Davis needs to shift to boxing.

8 – Devin Haney 30-0, 15 KOs

Last Fight – Unanimous-Decision win over Vasyl Lomachenko in May 2023

As he engages in a Tupac “Hit-Em-Up” style verbal back-and-forth with Shakur Stevenson, Haney remains a primary focus regarding boxing banter.

Meanwhile, Haney’s team has agreed to have the 24-year-old make his 140-pound debut against WBC Super Lightweight champion Regis Prograis in October in Las Vegas.

Some sentiment afloat is that Haney was pushed to 140 pounds to avoid clashes with the likes of Stevenson and Davis. Stevenson leaked this video to support this narrative (h/t FightHype).

Some see Prograis as a more manageable opponent because he comes straightforward and doesn’t give the angle and level-changing concepts that Lomachenko seemed to trouble Haney with late in their fight in May.

In any case, Haney is a rising star whose fights will draw a crowd. Winning a world title at 140 pounds would still push Haney past Davis in these rankings as long as he looks impressive.

9 – Shakur Stevenson 20-0, 10 KOs

Last Fight – 6th-Round TKO win over Shuichiro Yoshino in April 2023

Stevenson seems like the boogeyman in his weight region. No one seems too eager to sign a contract to face the 26-year-old.

Stevenson spoke to DAZN Boxing, saying a fight with Davis is the most intriguing. That bout would likely do significant numbers in what he called “the biggest fight” of his career.

The young star is likely facing the up-and-coming Frank Martin in his next fight. Stevenson will have to carry the load as a draw in that fight, but it may be a means to an end for the hungry pound-for-pound contender.

Stevenson has sparred countless rounds with Crawford, so his confidence level is high. He needs a big win over a big name to vault a little higher. He might have the highest ceiling of anyone on this list besides Inoue. Perhaps that’s why he is being avoided.

10 – Errol Spence 28-1, 22 KOs

Last Fight – 9th-Round TKO loss to Terence Crawford on July 29

The tables have turned for Spence. He has now been transitioned to a chaser. Spence has executed his rematch clause, but after the one-sided defeat he suffered at the hands of Crawford in their first meeting, he will likely be a more significant underdog in the rematch.

Can Spence force a trilogy, or will he be dropping out of this and most pound-for-pound lists?