In the world of boxing, the debate over who holds the title of the best pound-for-pound fighter rages on. At the forefront of this discussion are two undefeated champions: Naoya Inoue and Terence Crawford. Let’s delve into their recent performances and career accomplishments to determine who truly deserves the coveted number one spot.
Naoya Inoue, ranked number two on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list, showcased his brilliance in the early morning hours (U.S. time) in Japan. Despite an early knockdown by Luis Nery, Inoue displayed remarkable resilience and skill, ultimately defeating his opponent with a stunning knockout in Round 6. With a near-flawless record of 27 wins and 24 knockouts, Inoue’s dominance in the ring is undeniable.
On the other hand, Terence Crawford, ranked number one, boasts an equally impressive record of 40 wins and 31 knockouts. Crawford’s recent victory over Errol Spence Jr. further solidified his status as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Known for his unparalleled combination of skill, speed, and power, Crawford has consistently outclassed his opponents throughout his career.
While Inoue’s performance against Nery was nothing short of spectacular, Crawford’s track record and ongoing dominance in the ring cannot be overlooked. Despite their comparable resumes, Crawford’s unmatched brilliance and achievements keep him firmly planted in the number one spot.
Inoue may have the potential to reach the top spot in the future, especially considering his age of 31 compared to Crawford’s 36. However, for now, Crawford remains the undisputed pound-for-pound king.
As the boxing world continues to evolve, so too will the pound-for-pound rankings. With upcoming fights featuring other top-ranked fighters like Canelo Alvarez and Vasiliy Lomachenko, the debate over the best pound-for-pound fighter is sure to intensify. Stay tuned for more updates as the saga unfolds.
POUND-FOR-POUND
- Terence Crawford – Scheduled to challenge 154-pound titleholderIsrail Madrimov on Aug. 3 in Los Angeles.
- Naoya Inoue – No fight scheduled.
- Oleksandr Usyk – Scheduled to face No. 9 Tyson Fury for the undisputed heavyweight championship on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.
- Dmitry Bivol – Fight against No. 12 Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed 175-pound championship, originally scheduled for June 1, was postponed after Beterbiev injured his knee.
- Juan Francisco Estrada – Scheduled to defend his 115-pound title against No. 11 Jesse Rodriguez on June 29 in Phoenix.
- Canelo Alvarez – No fight scheduled.
- Jermell Charlo – No fight scheduled.
- Gervonta Davis – Scheduled to defend his 135-pound title against Frank Martin on June 15 in Las Vegas.
- Tyson Fury – Scheduled to face No. 3 Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.
- Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez – Scheduled to face No. 5 Juan Francisco Estrada for Estrada’s 115-pound title on June 29 in Phoenix.
- Artur Beterbiev – Fight against No. 4 Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed 175-pound championship, originally scheduled for June 1, was postponed after Beterbiev injured his knee.
- Errol Spence Jr. – No fight scheduled.
- Vasiliy Lomachenko – Scheduled to face George Kambosos Jr. for the vacant IBF 135-pound title May 12 in Australia.
- Shakur Stevenson – No fight scheduld.
- David Benavidez – Scheduled to fight 175-pounder Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June 15 in Las Vegas
Credit: Yahoo Sports
