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Forbes
Forbes
5 Sep 2023


Canelo Alvarez v Jermell Charlo - Press Conference

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 15: Canelo Alvarez of Mexico (L) and Jermell Charlo (R) face off during ... [+] a press conference to preview their September 30 super middleweight undisputed championship fight at Palladium Times Square on August 15, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

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Terence Crawford still sits atop my pound-for-pound rankings just over a month after his dominant TKO victory over Errol Spence. The latter has executed his rematch clause, so a second meeting is on the way for both men.

Nothing on schedule in September will knock Crawford from the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. The biggest fight on paper this month has my No. 3, Canelo Alvarez, defending his undisputed super middleweight crowns against Jermell Charlo on Sept. 30 in Las Vegas.

While this matchup is intriguing, Canelo is a minus-410 favorite over Charlo, who isn't on my or most pound-for-pound lists. Therefore, a win for the Mexican legend isn't likely to generate a buzz big enough for him to vault the idle Naoya Inoue for my No. 2 spot–let alone reach Crawford at the top.

Here is my Top 10, focusing on what's likely next for each fighter.

Errol Spence Jr. v Terence Crawford

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 29: Terence Crawford celebrates after his 9th round TKO of Errol Spence ... [+] Jr. after their fight for the undisputed world welterweight championship at T-Mobile Arena on July 29, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

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Last Fight - 9th-Round TKO victory over Errol Spence on July 29

Crawford and Spence are on a collision course for a rematch, perhaps later this year. The fight could occur at 154 pounds, where both men might be more comfortable. Will that lead to a better result for Spence or more of the same for Crawford? If Crawford wins, will the move up in weight be a more appropriate segue to a bout at an even higher weight class against Canelo?

If so, it's not a bad financial or legacy exit plan for Crawford, who has solidified his place among the sport's all-time greats.

BOX-SUPERBANTAM-JPN-USA-INOUE-FULTON

Japanese boxer Naoya Inoue takes part in a press conference in Tokyo on March 6, 2023, to announce ... [+] he will fight for two world titles in his super-bantamweight boxing debut when he takes on Stephen Fulton of the US in May. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP) (Photo by RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

Last Fight - 8th-Round TKO victory over Stephen Fulton on July 25

Everyone in the weight region wants a crack at The Monster. Luis Alberto Lopez and John Riel Casimero seemingly have their sights set on a bout with Inoue.

No one on the scene would be favored over the Japanese superstar.

Canelo Alvarez v Jermell Charlo - Press Conference

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 15: Canelo Alvarez speaks to media during a press conference to preview ... [+] their September 30 super middleweight undisputed championship fight against Jermell Charlo at Palladium Times Square on August 15, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

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Last Fight - Unanimous Decision win over John Ryder on May 6

Has Canelo lost a step? Is he still as hungry as he once was? Charlo and his fans might hope the answer to both questions is no.

It would appear that may be the only chance he has of defeating Canelo after jumping two weight classes for the fight opportunity of a lifetime.

Dmitrill Bivol v Gilberto Ramirez -WBA World Light-Heavyweight Title

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 05: Dmitrill Bivol looks on during the WBA Super World ... [+] Light Heavyweight Title fight between Dmitrii Bivol and Gilberto Ramirez at Etihad Arena on November 05, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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Last Fight - Unanimous Decision win over Gilberto Ramirez Nov 2022

When you're Bivol, what's harder to find, respect, or an opponent? That's a tricky question, but it outlines the Russian boxing machine's two biggest professional dilemmas.

After dismantling two top-notch fighters like Canelo and Ramirez, Bivol still needs to break past some of the more prominent names in the sport on pound-for-pound lists.

Moreover, his management team recently spoke about their struggles to find an opponent for their fighter.

"The priority is to return to the ring in October or November," Bivol's manager, Vadim Kornilov, said, per Boxing Scene. "There is no confirmed date yet, and there are several reasons for this. The main one concerns the general will of our team, some circumstances.... it is difficult to find an opponent - but there are some developments, searches, and the negotiations are ongoing."

A rematch with Canelo is his best path to more respect and the highest possible payday. However, based on how Bivol handled Canelo at light heavyweight, it would be a surprise if the latter was eager for a rematch.

Tyson Fury Media Opportunity

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 25: Tyson Fury speaks to the media at Brisbane Domestic Airport on May 25, ... [+] 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

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Last Fight - 10th-Round TKO win over Dereck Chisora in Dec. 2022

Fury's fight with Francis Ngannou in October is a money grab with little risk. As powerful as the former UFC heavyweight champion is, the chances he can land a shot of magnitude on a guy as gifted and experienced as Fury is slim.

Still, the two men will be paid handsomely for their efforts. Good on them, but it is safe to say Fury cannot move up on this list with that fight.

If something goes unexpectedly wrong, though, he could plummet.

Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois

Daniel Dubois, Oleksandr Usyk during boxing gala in Wroclaw, Poland on August 26, 2023. (Photo by ... [+] Foto Olimpik/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

NurPhoto via Getty Images

Last Fight - 9th-Round KO win over Daniel DuBois in August

Aside from a controversial moment caused by a low blow from Daniel DuBois, things went according to plan for Usyk in his ninth-round KO win in late August.

Usyk was up 78-73 and 79-72x2 on the scorecards, so he was in complete control of the fight. Usyk did enough to leap the idle Gervonta Davis. Still, he needs a win over a bigger-name heavyweight (Fury, Anthony Joshua, or even the young Jared Anderson) to grab more attention.

Celebrity Sightings In New York City - September 02, 2023

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 02: Gervonta Davis is seen in Manhattan on September 02, 2023 in New ... [+] York City. (Photo by Robert Kamau/GC Images)

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Last Fight - 7th-Round KO win over Ryan Garcia in April

The most electrifying fighter in the smaller weight classes and Inoue don't have a fight scheduled, which is understandable considering he just finished a 44-day jail sentence in July.

Hopefully, Davis' legal issues are behind him, and he can focus on being the best professional possible. Several potentially spectacular fights are on the horizon for the 28-year-old, but the conversation around Davis needs to shift to boxing.

Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles - June 23, 2023

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 23: Devin Haney is seen walking out and about on June 23, 2023 in Los ... [+] Angeles, California. (Photo by MEGA/GC Images)

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Last Fight - Unanimous-Decision win over Vasyl Lomachenko in May 2023

As he engages in a Tupac "Hit-Em-Up" style verbal back-and-forth with Shakur Stevenson, Haney remains a primary focus regarding boxing banter.

Meanwhile, Haney's team has agreed to have the 24-year-old make his 140-pound debut against WBC Super Lightweight champion Regis Prograis in October in Las Vegas.

Some sentiment afloat is that Haney was pushed to 140 pounds to avoid clashes with the likes of Stevenson and Davis. Stevenson leaked this video to support this narrative (h/t FightHype).

Some see Prograis as a more manageable opponent because he comes straightforward and doesn't give the angle and level-changing concepts that Lomachenko seemed to trouble Haney with late in their fight in May.

In any case, Haney is a rising star whose fights will draw a crowd. Winning a world title at 140 pounds would still push Haney past Davis in these rankings as long as he looks impressive.

Jared Anderson v Charles Martin

TOLEDO, OHIO - JULY 01: Shakur Stevenson attends the Jared Anderson vs Charles Martin fight night at ... [+] Huntington Center on July 01, 2023 in Toledo, Ohio. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)

Top Rank via Getty Images

Last Fight - 6th-Round TKO win over Shuichiro Yoshino in April 2023

Stevenson seems like the boogeyman in his weight region. No one seems too eager to sign a contract to face the 26-year-old.

Stevenson spoke to DAZN Boxing, saying a fight with Davis is the most intriguing. That bout would likely do significant numbers in what he called "the biggest fight" of his career.

The young star is likely facing the up-and-coming Frank Martin in his next fight. Stevenson will have to carry the load as a draw in that fight, but it may be a means to an end for the hungry pound-for-pound contender.

Stevenson has sparred countless rounds with Crawford, so his confidence level is high. He needs a big win over a big name to vault a little higher. He might have the highest ceiling of anyone on this list besides Inoue. Perhaps that's why he is being avoided.

Spence Jr v Crawford

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 29: Errol Spence Jr. looks on Terence Crawford during round 5 of the World ... [+] Welterweight Championship bout at T-Mobile Arena on July 29, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

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Last Fight - 9th-Round TKO loss to Terence Crawford on July 29

The tables have turned for Spence. He has now been transitioned to a chaser. Spence has executed his rematch clause, but after the one-sided defeat he suffered at the hands of Crawford in their first meeting, he will likely be a more significant underdog in the rematch.

Can Spence force a trilogy, or will he be dropping out of this and most pound-for-pound lists?