Terence Crawford once again confirmed his status as a rare universal: after a sparkling victory over Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez, he topped the updated pound-for-pound rankings of the authoritative magazine The Ring. For the boxing world, this is more than a simple reshuffle — it marks the era of a fighter who blends pure technique, in-fight adaptability, and immaculate gym discipline.
Why Crawford: Three Arguments for His Leadership
First, the win over "Canelo" is a rare result against an elite great whose long-term dominance had reinforced his own P4P standing. Second, Crawford displays true versatility: he is equally dangerous from orthodox and southpaw stances, expertly controlling distance and tempo. Third, the quality of opposition and the cleanliness of recent wins create an unquestionable case in his favor.
The Ring’s P4P: What the Evaluators Weigh
A pound-for-pound list “regardless of weight class” primarily reflects skill level, versatility, ring IQ, staying power at the peak, and the quality of opposition. What matters isn’t size or “power tiers” so much as the ability to carry craft across divisions and beat the best under any conditions.
The Ring’s Current Top 10
- Terence Crawford — a benchmark for ring management and timing.
- Oleksandr Usyk — a model mobile heavyweight with immaculate tactics.
- Naoya Inoue — "The Monster," blending knockout power with exquisite technique.
- Dmitry Bivol — a master of distance and positional control.
- Artur Beterbiev — a 100% finisher with destructive pressure.
- Jesse Rodriguez — rapid progress and mature decision-making for his age.
- Junto Nakatani — length, tempo, and careful shot selection.
- Shakur Stevenson — elite defense, reflexes, and economical accuracy.
- David Benavidez — relentless pressure, dense combinations, and a high work rate.
- Saúl Álvarez — still a benchmark for durability and a versatile counterpunching school.
Who’s Breathing Down the Leader’s Neck
Usyk and Inoue keep the pressure on the summit with steady wins over champions and title unifications. At light heavyweight, the Bivol–Beterbiev duo remains a magnet for super fights. On the approach to the elite, Rodriguez and Nakatani are maturing fast, while Stevenson continues to polish a minimalist yet venomous style.
What’s Next for the New Hierarchy
For Crawford, task number one is to hold the standard against opponents who will prepare specifically for him and try to break the tempo. The rest of the top 10 are ready to seize the initiative at any moment: one spectacular upset can shift the P4P balance again. For now, it is Terence who sets the standards, and the others are left to catch up.
