WITH many exciting match-ups already lined up for the coming months, let’s update our pound-for-pound rankings so we can establish a baseline of these mythical rankings.
1. Canelo Alvarez (54-1, 36 KOs) - “Canelo” moved back down to the supermiddleweight division last year to pick up a belt by beating Callum Smith and annex the WBA diadem.
While No. 2 Terence Crawford’s victory over Kell Brook to me was a more difficult assignment, the fact that Alvarez has been moving up and down the divisions—compared to Crawford who is campaigning exclusively at the 147 division, cements the former in the top spot of these rankings.
2. Terence Crawford (37-0, 28 KOs) - Crawford is coming off a signature victory over Kell Brook in November of last year. Brook is one of the top-tier fighters in this division and this one was badly needed on Bud’s resume.
The world is waiting with bated breath on when he can finally get that superfight against No. 5 Errol Spence.
3. Naoya Inoue (20-0, 17 KOs) - The “Monster” reverberated back to his deadly form last year by decimating Jason Moloney in seven rounds to retain his WBA/IBF Bantamweight crowns.
4. Teofimo Lopez (16-0, 12 KOs) - Lopez came out of nowhere to dethrone erstwhile pound-for- pound king Vasyl Lomachenko. He deservedly won Upset of the Year honors for 2020 and even got some nominations for Fighter of the Year.
This young kid has it all—power, speed and skills. He is certainly worthy of his lofty ranking here. With the lightweight division at its deepest in recent years, Lopez could ascend further if he cleans it up.
5. Errol Spence (27-0, 21KOs) - His unanimous decision victory over Danny Garcia in May of last year marked a successful comeback after suffering injuries in a car crash.
In that fight, Spence showcased his versatility—punching, boxing and craftmanship. There is no other fighter in the division right now—apart from Manny Pacquiao, that can match up well with Crawford and so this super-fight is on everyone’s wish list.
6. Vasyl Lomachenko (14-2, 10 KOs) - Although he lost to Lopez, he wasn’t outclassed. Loma is bent on exacting revenge and this Last Rounder believes he can fight better in the rematch.
7. Juan Francisco Estrada (41-3, 28 KOs) - “El Gallo” has been on a tear ever since he lost to Wisaksil Wangek in 2018. Since that loss he has gone 5-0 including a victory in the rematch against Wangek. Up next for him is another rematch against another former conqueror in Roman Gonzalez next month.
8. Tyson Fury (30-0, 21KOs) - He only fought once last year, but that stoppage victory over rival Deontay Wilder was his biggest one yet. “The Gypsy King” is looking forward to a reunification match with Anthony Joshua and if that happens in the next few months, we could have a unified heavyweight champion again.
LAST ROUNDS. Are on Atty. Pam Condat and myself as we celebrate our birthdays today. Cheers!