Just like in the UFC, the pound-for-pound list in boxing is a standing that everyone involved in the sport wants to top. The number one position indicates the fighter is the leading talent, regardless of their weight division. Here is a look at who could end the year in the top spot in boxing.
Oleksandr Usyk (Current position – 1)
Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is the man everyone must topple in the pound-for-pound list in 2023. The Ukrainian has made a seamless transition to the heavyweight division, with back-to-back victories coming against Anthony Joshua.
The former undisputed cruiserweight champion could become an all-time great if he can claim the final belt he needs in his division. Talks with Tyson Fury’s party have broken down for now, but that’s a fight he will need to have if he is to win the WBC crown.
Naoya Inoue (Current position – 2)
Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue not only brought his professional record up to 24-0 last December when he defeated rival Paul Butler, he won the WBO bantamweight title, meaning he became the undisputed champion in his division.
For a boxer of his size, Inoue has a lot of power, which is why he is nicknamed The Monster. He is a big hit, not just in Asia, but around the world. Inoue’s next opportunity to impress in the ring comes in July when he takes on Stephen Fulton. He is currently priced at odds of -275 in the outright boxing betting markets to win that fight and retain his titles.
Terence Crawford (Current position – 3)
With a record of 39-0, Terence Crawford is one of the greatest boxers of his generation. He has won world titles are three weight divisions, including welterweight where he is the WBO champion. The American added the latest success to his record last December when he defeated David Avanesyan in a sixth-round stoppage.
At the age of 35, Crawford is in the latter stages of his career, so it would be a big achievement if he was able to climb two places to the spot on the pound-for-pound list. He has been linked with a fight with Errol Spence Jr later this year which would be a huge fight in the USA.
Errol Spence Jr (Current position – 4)
American Spence Jr has been a welterweight champion since 2017. He added the WBA (Super) to his WBC and IBF crowns when he stopped Yordenis Ugas in the 10th round of their world title fight in April 2022.
Spence Jr has been looking to book a fight with Crawford ever since that success. If he claims Bud’s WBO belt, it will ensure he comes the undisputed champion in the division. Victory in that fight would most likely allow him to jump up at least one place in the pound-for-pound standings.
With lots of major fights still to come in 2023, the race for the top spot at the end of the calendar year is going to be fierce, with the above four boxers and others all in contention
