Saul Alvarez regains top spot in pound-for-pound rankings

Saul "Canelo Alvarez is back among the top pound-for-pound boxers after a dominant decision victory over Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This performance comes more than a year after Alvarez lost his undisputed crown to Terence Crawford. The win not only restored Alvarez's world title but also showcased that he remains one of the best fighters in the sport.

Alvarez's victory over Mbilli proved that even at an advanced stage in his career, he is still ahead of the rest in the super middleweight division. His performance has sparked discussions about his place among the elite boxers. With this win, Alvarez has reasserted himself as a force to be reckoned with.

On the women's side, there is now a consensus No. 1 fighter after Katie Taylor's career came to an end. The women's pound-for-pound rankings have been dominated by several top names, but one boxer stands out above the rest. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the history of Uncrowned's women's pound-for-pound rankings.

The men's and women's pound-for-pound best boxers were ranked by a panel of experts using a weighted points system. The list includes 10 fighters on each side, with No. 1 earning 10 points and No. 2 earning nine points, down to No. 10 with one point. This comprehensive ranking system provides an accurate representation of the world's top boxers.

Uncrowned's expert panel is comprised of six industry professionals: Kel Dansby, Alan Dawson, Darshan Desai, Joseph Santoliquito, Lewis Watson, and Elliot Worsell. Their combined expertise ensures that the rankings are fair and representative of the current state of boxing.

The list includes a new entrant on the men's side and a return for one of women's boxing's elite names. This change reflects the evolving landscape of professional boxing. With several top boxers competing in high-profile bouts, the pound-for-pound rankings provide a snapshot of the sport at this moment.

A major development is that Naoya Inoue is targeting another high-stakes bout with Jesse Bam Rodriguez after scoring a significant win over Junto Nakatani earlier this year. If negotiations for the March superfight in Japan fall through, Inoue will aim to challenge for a world title at featherweight and become just the seventh fighter in men's boxing history to be a five-division champion.

The pound-for-pound rankings are set to provide insight into the hierarchy of professional boxing as we move forward. With several top boxers competing in high-profile bouts, the rankings offer a comprehensive overview of the sport's current state.

Oleksandr Usyk's decision to drop his heavyweight belts was met with skepticism by many in the boxing world. Some wondered if he had lost interest in competing against top contenders and proving himself as the best pound-for-pound fighter.

However, Usyk has now revealed that he wants to return to cruiserweight and become an undisputed champion for a second time. This development is a surprise to some, given his earlier decision to drop his belts rather than defend them against Agit Kabayel.

Usyk's desire to return to cruiserweight was sparked by failed talks with Deontay Wilder. Instead of facing the veteran boxer in what would have been a high-profile bout, Usyk has set his sights on becoming an undisputed champion once again.

According to Serhii Lapin, Usyk plans to fight for the IBF title next and then meet David Benavidez in a blockbuster four-belt unification. This is a significant challenge for Usyk, who will be facing one of the top cruiserweights in the world.

Benavidez has been on an impressive run, having jumped up four spots this past May after his display against Gilberto Zurdo Ramirez. He became a three-division world champion and showcased his skills by going up 25 pounds and defeating a top world champion.

Benavidez's performance was a testament to his pound-for-pound abilities, as he combined hand speed, combination punching, and power to devastating effect. His mix of skills is frightening to opponents, and Usyk will need to be at the top of his game if he wants to come out on top.

The stakes are high for both fighters, with Usyk looking to add another chapter to his legacy and Benavidez seeking to become a four-belt champion. Their upcoming bout promises to be an exciting one, as two of the best cruiserweights in the world clash in what could be the fight of the year.

Usyk's decision to return to cruiserweight has sent shockwaves through the boxing community, but it remains to be seen how his body will react to the increased competition. Will he be able to maintain his level of performance at an older age, or will the demands of fighting at a higher weight take their toll?

Benavidez's next fight is scheduled for December 5 in Arizona against Michal Cieslak, the current WBC champion.

A victory for Benavidez would put him one belt short of undisputed status, but this achievement may be overshadowed by uncertainty surrounding the IBF title.

The future of the IBF belt remains uncertain due to Usyk's bid for the vacant championship and Jai Opetaia's pending legal case.

Regardless of who Benavidez fights for undisputed status, a win would likely give him a strong case to top the pound-for-pound list in 2027.

Jesse Bam Rodriguez has been making waves in the boxing world with his recent accomplishments.

In June, he became a three-division world champion after signing a lucrative three-year extension with Matchroom's Eddie Hearn.

Rodriguez's latest victory came at the bantamweight division, where he knocked out Antonio Vargas to capture the WBA title and inch closer to a showdown with Naoya Inoue.

A potential fight between Rodriguez and Inoue is highly anticipated, as it would pit two of the sport's top pound-for-pound fighters against each other for the first time since Terence Crawford and Errol Spence faced off in July 2023.

The match-up, currently targeted for March 2027, could see Naoya Inoue become the number one fighter in boxing, a title that would be a significant milestone given his stature at just five feet four inches tall.

Dmitry Bivol is poised for a series of mandatory defenses in 2026 after returning from injury and defeating Michael Eifert comfortably in May. His next challenge will be against Callum Smith in December. This bout marks the beginning of a potentially thrilling period for Bivol, who has already established himself as one of the top light heavyweights.

Bivol's reign as WBA/WBO/IBF light heavyweight champion lasted seven years, until he fell short to Artur Beterbiev in their 2024 undisputed title fight. During his time at the top, he made 12 successful defenses, including a notable upset win over Saul Canelo Alvarez in 2022. This victory showcased Bivol's skills and cemented his reputation as a formidable opponent.

Bivol has had an impressive career, with several high-profile wins under his belt. In 2025, he managed to avenge his defeat to Beterbiev and ascend as only the 11th man to become undisputed champion of the four-belt era. This achievement speaks volumes about his determination and skill in the ring.

As Bivol prepares for his showdown with Callum Smith, he may be looking toward a trilogy with Artur Beterbiev next year. Additionally, the winner of the WBC title fight between Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson on Saturday is another possibility that could shape Bivol's future. With multiple paths to consider, Bivol's career is likely to remain exciting and unpredictable.

Bivol's victories over both Canelo" and Beterbiev are undoubtedly two of the most significant and meaningful wins in his career. These accomplishments have earned him a special place among the boxing world's elite fighters. His impressive resume has also secured his ticket to the Hall of Fame in Canastota, regardless of where he goes from here.

Dmitry Bivol's legacy is already cemented, with two of the most notable wins in recent history under his belt. As he moves forward, it will be interesting to see how he navigates the challenges ahead and whether he can continue to add to his impressive list of accomplishments.

Bivol's career has been a testament to his skill and determination in the ring. With multiple opportunities on the horizon, he is poised to make even more history in the world of boxing. As he prepares for his next challenge, fans will be eagerly watching to see what the future holds for this talented light heavyweight champion.

The momentum is building for Haney as he prepares to face IBF champion Liam Paro in his highly anticipated unification fight scheduled for December 19. This bout has been a long time coming for Haney, who has spent the entire year searching for the perfect opportunity to unify the titles.

Haney's path to this moment was not an easy one, as he struggled to find suitable opponents in the early stages of his career. However, since joining forces with Matchroom in 2024, he has been able to secure more meaningful fights and establish himself as a top contender in the division.

Meanwhile, another talented American boxer is making waves at the welterweight level. Ennis cemented his position as the No. 1 welterweight in the world with a dominant stoppage win over Eimantas Stanionis in April 2025. He then went on to become a two-division unified champion by stopping Xander Zayas in June.

Ennis is set to face IBF champion Josh Kelly in February, and if he emerges victorious, he will have the opportunity to add a third title to his collection at super welterweight. Talks are also underway for the winner of that fight to face Sebastian Fundora for the undisputed crown later in the summer.

The future looks bright for Ennis as he continues to make waves at 154 pounds. However, one thing is certain - boxing fans will be disappointed if they don't get to see him face Vergil Ortiz Jr., a highly anticipated matchup that has been left wanting due to circumstances beyond their control.

A new name has emerged on the Uncrowned pound-for-pound list: O'Shaquie Foster, the WBC, WBO, and IBF super featherweight champion. Foster made headlines in October when he defeated Emanuel Navarrete to complete the trifecta of titles and establish himself as one of the top contenders in his division.

The victory marked a significant milestone for Foster, who has quickly become one of the most exciting young fighters in the sport. With this impressive win under his belt, Foster is now considered a strong contender for Fighter of the Year honors and has solidified his position on the Uncrowned pound-for-pound list.

O'Shaquie Foster has undergone a remarkable transformation in the past year, emerging from an underappreciated world champion to a consensus elite fighter.

His impressive win over Stephen Fulton was followed by victories against Ray Ford and most recently Navarrete, solidifying his position among the top fighters.

This meteoric rise is expected to continue into 2027, with potential matchups against Vasiliy Lomachenko or Shakur Stevenson on the horizon.

Foster's emergence as a force to be reckoned with in the boxing world has left little doubt about his ability to compete at the highest level.

His remarkable turnaround has earned him consideration for Fighter of the Year honors and a solidified spot on the Uncrowned pound-for-pound list.

Alvarez put on an impressive display, outclassing Mbilli with a masterful performance that highlighted his skills as one of this era's greatest fighters.

The Mexican boxer consistently threw over 50 punches per round, showcasing his ability to maintain a high pace throughout the fight.

In recent fights, Alvarez has adopted a more strategic approach, focusing on precise power punches rather than combinations.

Alvarez is set to return to action in Saudi Arabia next spring, with one remaining fight under his Riyadh Season deal.

The identity of his opponent remains uncertain, but speculation suggests it could be Hamzah Sheeraz standing across from him in the ring.

Women's boxing has reached a milestone with Claressa Shields being named the unanimous No. 1 women's fighter in Uncrowned history, solidifying her position as one of the sport's top talents.

Shields' unified middleweight championship reign continues to make her a formidable force in the female boxing world.

Her dominance at the weight class has earned her widespread recognition and respect from fans and critics alike.

This achievement marks a significant milestone for Shields and women's boxing, cementing her status as one of the sport's top stars.

Shields' continued success and dominance are expected to be closely followed by fans and observers alike.