ESPN has released its latest pound-for-pound top 10, and the list reflects a shifting landscape at the very top of the sport. With Terence Crawford’s retirement, a new king has emerged and several familiar faces have reshuffled the order. It’s a snapshot of who truly sits at boxing’s elite table right now.
1. Oleksandr Usyk
- 24-0, 15 KOs (Heavyweight, unified champion)
- A consummate technician and reigning unified heavyweight champion, Usyk remains unbeaten and at the peak of boxing’s most storied weight class. His resume includes multiple wins over elite opponents — notably Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois — and his elevation to No. 1 spot underscores his sustained dominance even approaching age 39.
2. Naoya Inoue
- 32-0, 27 KOs (Junior featherweight, undisputed champion)
- Known as “The Monster,” Inoue combines explosive power and precision at junior featherweight. He capped 2025 with a unanimous decision win over David Picasso and is poised for a marquee all-Japan clash with Junto Nakatani that could further define his legacy.
3. Dmitry Bivol
- 24-1, 12 KOs (Light heavyweight, unified champion)
- Bivol remains one of the sport’s most complete fighters, regaining momentum after a hard-fought win over Artur Beterbiev. Recovering from injury, he is expected back early in 2026 with a mandate to unify further and cement his place among boxing’s elite.
4. Jesse Rodriguez
- 23-0, 16 KOs (Junior bantamweight, unified champion)
- The youngest fighter on the list, Rodriguez has quickly become a force with devastating finishes and polish beyond his years. His dominant win over an undefeated Fernando Martinez showcased both power and poise, marking him as a future perennial top-one contender.
5. Artur Beterbiev
- 21-1, 20 KOs (Light heavyweight)
- Beterbiev’s trademark stopping power has defined his career, and despite a setback to Bivol, he remains a feared puncher in the light heavyweight ranks. A marquee rematch or high-profile bout could re-establish his top-tier position.
6. David Benavidez
- 31-0, 25 KOs (Light heavyweight, champion)
- Known as “The Mexican Monster,” Benavidez boasts an undefeated record and brutal power. After a knockout win against Anthony Yarde, he targets expansion into cruiserweight, aiming to become a multi-division champion and broadening his elite résumé.
7. Shakur Stevenson
- 24-0, 11 KOs (Lightweight, champion)
- Stevenson blends slick defense with sharp offense, maintaining an unbeaten mark while capturing lightweight gold. His upcoming clash with Lopez could elevate his standing even further and propel him deeper into pound-for-pound contention.
8. Junto Nakatani
- 32-0, 24 KOs (Bantamweight, unified champion)
- A technically gifted and resilient unified bantamweight champion, Nakatani closed 2025 with a solid victory in defense of his titles. A potential showdown with Inoue looms large, offering a defining moment that could solidify his elite status.
9. Devin Haney
© Henrietta Wildsmith/The Times
- 33-0-1 NC, 15 KOs (Welterweight, champion)
- Haney continues to prove himself one of boxing’s premier tacticians, capturing welterweight gold with precision and ring IQ. After answering critics with his performances, he stands among the most respected all-around fighters in the sport.
10. Teofimo Lopez Jr.
- 22-1, 13 KOs (Junior welterweight, champion)
- Entering the top 10 this cycle, Lopez combines athleticism with a proven ability to rise to elite competition. Victories over top opponents like Vasiliy Lomachenko and Josh Taylor demonstrate his capacity to compete at the highest level, especially if he capitalizes on his title shot against Stevenson.
Conclusion
This updated ranking highlights just how deep and competitive boxing’s talent pool is across every weight class. From established champions to rising stars, each fighter on the list has a strong case for their place among the best. As big fights loom in 2026, these rankings are almost certain to keep evolving.