At BSO, we have a 3-point criteria for our Pound for Pound List. The most recent activity of the contender. Secondly, we take into account Firstly, we consider their overall accomplishments and resume. Lastly, in case of an equal weight, we determine who would be favored.
1- Terence “Bud” Crawford and Naoye Inoue
Bud Crawford and the Monster Inoue have been dominating their recent fights. Inoue bravely moved up in weight without taking a tuneup, faced Stephen Fulton, who was naturally a bigger guy and a fringe pound-for-pound fighter, and outboxed him. Inoue then knocked him out with a vicious assault, making Fulton look like a sparring partner. This came after becoming undisputed bantamweight champion and destroying his last six opponents, including Nonito Donaire, whom he blew out in two rounds in their rematch. In Japan, Inoue is as big as Floyd Mayweather or Oscar De La Hoya in their prime in the U.S. Before the end of the year, he may be undisputed in two weight classes. That’s how good Inoue is. Some people are even giving him a chance to beat Tank Davis, who fights three weight classes above him.
On my pound-for-pound list, I have never ranked Bud Crawford as number one. This is not because I doubt his abilities to defeat opponents in or around his weight class, but rather because he has never faced a formidable competitor. However, Crawford proved his worth by dominating Errol Spence Jr. for nine rounds in their recent bout.
Remarkably, Crawford is the only boxer to have achieved undisputed status in two weight classes. Additionally, he has won his last eleven fights by knockout. It seems that at 35 years old, Bud Crawford is improving with age.
3- Oleksandr Usyk
Unfortunately, Tyson Fury ducking him ruined his chances at becoming #1 pound for pound. If he beats Daniel, Dubois will keep his #3 spot secure.
4- Dmitry Bivol
Bivol is in danger of losing his spot if he doesn’t schedule a fight soon.
5- Canelo Alvarez
How great is Canelo?
In his fight with John Ryder, Canelo impressively knocked down an opponent who had never been knocked down before, broke his nose, and left his face bruised and bloodied. Despite winning almost every round, there was talk after the fight that Canelo’s skills were declining. He has an upcoming fight with Jermall Charlo on September 30th.
6- Artur Beterbiev
19-0 with 19 knockouts. Enough said. His fight with Callum Smith has been postponed.
7- Shakur Stevenson
At the age of 26, Stevenson is looking for his signature fight early, but it doesn’t appear it will be Devin Haney.
8- Tyson Fury
The best heavyweight in the world is fighting an MMA fighter in a cash grab.
9- David Benavidez
Benavidez is coming off his most significant win against Caleb Plant.
10- Teofimo Lopez Jr.
It is looking more and more like the Kambosos fight was a fluke.