Boxing’s New Era: Who Rules the Pound-for-Pound Rankings in 2026?
by Rayshon Ellis
Rayshon Ellis
Top 10 Pound-for-Pound Fighters
Oleksandr Usyk
Naoya Inoue
Jesse Rodriguez
Dmitry Bivol
Artur Beterbiev
David Benavidez
Devin Haney
Shakur Stevenson
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez
Jaron Ennis
The Post-Crawford Era: Who Will Take the Throne?
With the retirement of pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford on December 16, 2025, and the latest bouts following January, boxing finds itself in a transitional phase. The old guard is nearing the end of their careers, while a new generation of fighters is vying for supremacy.
Oleksandr Usyk continues to seek fights against aging opponents like Deontay Wilder (40), who is far from his prime.
Dmitry Bivol (35) and Artur Beterbiev (41) are in talks for a trilogy later this year, leaving David Benavidez without major names at light heavyweight.
Canelo Alvarez (35) is scheduled to fight on September 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aiming to regain momentum after his loss to Crawford.
For champions under 30, this is a golden opportunity to become the face of boxing.
Devin Haney: The Welterweight Deebo
Haney shocked the boxing world with an upset win over Brian Norman Jr., who earned Ring Magazine’s Knockout of the Year in 2025. After scoring a second-round knockdown, Haney cruised to a unanimous decision, becoming a three-division world champion at age 27.
Looking ahead, Haney’s ideal matchup in 2026 would be against the winner of Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios, giving him a chance to avenge his no-contest bout with Garcia. Two fighters who could pose real challenges are Karen Chukhadzhian and Delante Johnson, both capable of pushing Haney over 12 rounds.
Karen, in particular, intrigues me; he went 24 rounds with Jaron Ennis, matching his footwork, endurance, and ring IQ. Could he replicate that against Haney?
Jesse Rodriguez: Chasing Greatness Across Weight Classes
Rodriguez dominated his last five fights, all ending in stoppages. This success has sparked talk of a jump to super bantamweight to face Naoya Inoue, a fight that would be both lucrative and historic.
In smaller weight classes, big-money fights are rare, making this move tempting. If Rodriguez skips an entire division, he should first take two fights at bantamweight before targeting Inoue in early 2027, ideally in Las Vegas.
Given the recurring hand-wrap controversy in Japan, fighting Inoue there may not be wise. Interim fights would help Rodriguez adjust physically to the weight jump. If bantamweight proves too much, he may reconsider the Inoue bout.
Shakur Stevenson: A Masterclass in Technique
Stevenson delivered a flawless performance against Teofimo Lopez, showcasing elite technique, footwork, and lead-hand control. He barely left first gear while shutting out a decorated champion, a testament to his technical brilliance.
As a natural lightweight, Stevenson has options:
Move down to fight Raymond Muratalla, or
Stay at super lightweight, currently the most talent-rich division in boxing.
If he stays, a matchup with Gary Antuanne Russell would be a fan favorite.
The Boogeymen: David Benavidez & Jaron Ennis
Benavidez remains one of boxing’s most avoided fighters. Canelo Alvarez has openly dismissed a fight, saying Benavidez offers “25 pounds and nothing else.” The reality? Benavidez is too big, too fast, and too dangerous for a 35-year-old Canelo.
Bivol and Beterbiev also seem uninterested, leaving Benavidez to target Gilberto Ramirez at cruiserweight. He stays active, but marquee fights are essential for his legacy.
Meanwhile, Jaron Ennis is rumored to be set to fight Victor Ortiz on April 25 in a highly anticipated super welterweight clash. While not for a title, the winner will gain American stardom and face names like Xander Zayas or the Thurman-Fundora winner.
Ennis cracks the top 10 based on the eye test alone. He hasn’t faced elite opponents yet, but his skill set screams pound-for-pound potential.
Final Thoughts
This year promises fireworks. With a mix of seasoned champions and rising stars, 2026 could redefine boxing’s hierarchy. Who will seize the crown in the post-Crawford era?