By Elliot Worsell
Arguing about a pound-for-pound top 10 list is just as pointless as creating one. Engaging in this debate achieves nothing, offers no benefits, and ultimately exposes an inability to grasp the true meaning behind a pound-for-pound ranking.
Regarding its supposed representation, the pound-for-pound list holds varying interpretations for different individuals, as is the case with most things. However, in essence, it serves no significant purpose other than being a means to pass time and spark discussions. It holds no substantial influence over a fighter’s legacy or their standing within the sport.
That said, for those interested in such things, here is the pound-for-pound top three according to Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez: “For me, (Oleksandr) Usyk is number one, (Naoya) Inoue is two, and (Terence) Crawford is three. Usyk is the heavyweight undisputed champion; there’s no topping that.” As for the overall value of a pound-for-pound list, Rodriguez, 19-0 (12), said to Boxing News: “At first, I never really cared (about the list), to be honest. But once I was actually put on the pound-for-pound rankings it was more of a shock than anything. Ever since then I have wanted to stay on that list and be mentioned among the great fighters in that top 10. To be on the list is something I want and this fight will move me up even higher if I win.”
Even before his fight with Juan Francisco Estrada on Saturday (June 29), Jesse Rodriguez is already regarded as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. However, if he manages to secure a victory on Saturday, the Texan fighter acknowledges that he will not only become part of the elite group but also accomplish more at the age of 24 than most fighters can dream of. Simply being included on the pound-for-pound list at such a young age, regardless of ranking, speaks volumes about his talent and the rapid progress he has made.
In December, Rodriguez successfully teases and emerges victorious against Sunny Edwards, as depicted in the image by Christian Petersen.
Still, what really counts in the end are victories, not the opinions of fans. Which is what made it somewhat amusing to see the impassioned reaction of Turki Alalshikh, one of the most powerful men in the sport, after coming across a specific pound-for-pound list last month. Taken from BoxRec.com of all places, Alalshikh, new to the game, posted this top 10 list on social media and wrote beneath it: “(Naoya) Inoue is a great boxer, but (Terence) Crawford is the pound-for-pound number one. I don’t know how the rankings work or if there’s a clear criteria, but it seems like there are some personal opinions and inaccuracies involved. I believe that boxing needs one entity to evaluate with transparency and credibility. Soon, I will support a project for that matter.”
With a post of such high quality, it’s difficult to determine where to begin. Firstly, when it comes to BoxRec.com, personal opinions hold no weight in their pound-for-pound list or any of their rankings. Everything on the website is computer-generated and determined through a points system. Although their rankings may not be flawless, any claims of bias are essentially irrelevant on that platform.
The notion that a pound-for-pound list on BoxRec.com can bring about significant change in the chaotic sport of boxing is incredibly strange. Additionally, the belief that boxing requires a single “entity to evaluate with transparency and credibility” becomes equally ridiculous when one considers the individuals responsible for these evaluations. While it would be ideal to have better regulation and organization in the sport, expecting anything remotely close to that in boxing’s future is highly unrealistic.
Furthermore, despite the mention of “personal opinions and inaccuracies”, Alalshikh’s response to BoxRec.com’s pound-for-pound list stems from the same source, likely influenced by his current association with Terence Crawford, whom he greatly admires. It is worth noting that Alalshikh’s belief that Crawford is the top pound-for-pound fighter is not absurd or unique to him alone. In fact, many others share this perspective, especially after Crawford’s impressive victory over welterweight competitor and fellow pound-for-pound contender, Errol Spence, in 2023.
In July, Errol Spence is defeated by Terence Crawford. (Getty Images)
Perhaps Alalshikh is simply enthusiastic, nothing more. It’s possible that as a prominent figure in the sport, he is testing his influence and pushing the boundaries of his capabilities. With Naoya Inoue’s impressive victory against Luis Nery and Oleksandr Usyk’s triumph over Tyson Fury, the debate about who is the best pound-for-pound fighter is gaining traction, or at least as much traction as it can. Maybe next month, when Crawford faces Israil Madrimov, we will have a clearer understanding of where these three fighters (Crawford, Inoue, and Usyk) stand on a list that ultimately holds minimal significance in the larger scheme of things.
The sport is undeniably in a good state when it comes to the top-level talent. Crawford, Inoue, and Usyk possess exceptional abilities that would have made them successful in any era of boxing. They are not merely world champions with unbeaten records, but rather they are three of the most extraordinary talents the sport has ever witnessed. It is remarkable that these three individuals have reached their peak performances around the same period.
Richard Pelham/Getty Images captures the moment when Usyk defeats Fury.
So good is this trio, in fact, it is hard to guess which one of them will be the first to slip up; that is, give ground in a race in which they don’t even realise they are competing. Up to now there have hardly even been signs. Inoue, it’s true, was knocked down for the first time in his pro career against Nery, but the manner in which he then turned that fight around only added credence to his claim to be number one. Similarly, Usyk, despite being somewhat handicapped as a relatively small heavyweight, is now achieving feats the likes of Inoue and Crawford are unable to achieve by virtue of them fighting opponents who weigh the same as them. That, in the fight for pound-for-pound number one, must surely count for something.
Of course, it does. Similar to the list itself, for Usyk, being a heavyweight holds a contradictory significance. It implies that the Ukrainian’s accomplishments will always possess a unique quality that Crawford and Inoue’s achievements lack. Additionally, it renders the pound-for-pound list even more insignificant than it already is when we consider fighters whose legacy is solely constructed against opponents of the same weight category.
One could argue that Usyk, Crawford, and Inoue are already pushing the boundaries in their respective divisions. Usyk constantly challenges himself by taking on heavyweight opponents, while Crawford and Inoue are often associated with fights that only appeal to a specific fan base, whether it’s for financial gain or pound-for-pound supremacy. For instance, Crawford is often linked to a potential match against Canelo Alvarez, while Inoue is connected to a potential bout with Gervonta Davis. The idea of these matchups is both exciting and raises concerns about the sanity of those involved in the sport and the overall well-being of the sport itself.
