Judging the best boxer in the world is often a difficult task due to the various weight classes in combat sports, which make it difficult to judge who truly is the best of the best.
In general, when it comes to deciding boxing’s king in the pound-for-pound rankings, the ultimate authority falls on The Ring, an established boxing outlet.
On Tuesday, the magazine gave their most recent weekly review, which included a sharp rise for one boxer from ninth in the rankings jumping to fifth. This particular fighter is ahead of other more established champions despite his relevant inexperience and youthfulness, and the 24-year-old’s rank is a surprise.
It is, of course, the American fighter of Mexican descent Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez, who became the first fighter to knock out Juan Francisco ‘El Gallo’ Estrada last Saturday.
‘Bam’s rise in the pound-for-pound standings should not come as a massive surprise, as the San Antonio southpaw took the WBC superflyweight title from a legend in spectacular fashion.
Previously, Rodriguez had unified two flyweight titles, making him champion in two divisions at the same time. Little more can be said about a boxer in terms of his progression, with an increasingly showy and effective style in all areas.
It is hoped that he will face Japan’s Junto Nakatani, another rising fighter who is now bantamweight champion, before the end of 2025.
Who is boxing’s best pound-for-pound fighter?
The top spot in the rankings still deservedly belongs to heavyweight boxer Oleksandr Usyk, who beat Tyson Fury in May, while positions two to four remain unchanged.
On August 3, Terence Crawford fights Israil Madrimov, a fight that will attract major interest, but may not be enough to elevate ‘Bud’ to the top of the rankings.
It’s a pity that the expected fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol hasn’t happened yet, because it could have been a clear top-three bout. The fight will finally take place on October 12.