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On Saturday previous, the boxing world was handled to a really uncommon prime versus prime collision on the elite degree when Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia squared off on the T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas.
Even if the bout was contested at a 136-pound catchweight and no world titles have been on the road, this was a bona fide superfight with all of the trimmings. As a pay-per-view occasion, the bout crossed over to an informal viewers as a result of each high quality of the matchup and the respective social media followings of each males.
When the struggle was throughout, it was “Tank” Davis that reigned supreme. The Baltimore star soaked up some torrid strain in Spherical 2 earlier than delivering a superb left hand counter shot that decked Garcia for under the second time in his profession. Within the seventh, it was one other left hand, this time to the physique, that put the younger Californian down for the depend.
This was a career-best win by Davis and he acknowledged that on the post-fight press convention. Additional mega fights in opposition to the likes of Devin Haney, Vasiliy Lomachenko, and Shakur Stevenson are for the longer term, however the place does he rank now on the legendary pound-for-pound record?
Effectively, the query was posed to each member of The Sporting Information fight workforce and the consensus was the identical throughout the board. Davis is good and it’s not a case of if he’ll land on the pound-for-pound record however when. Proper now, the view is that he’s simply exterior of the Prime 12, which is barely because of the unimaginable accomplishments and respective resumes of the present dynamite dozen.
Agree or disagree? Right here is the present pound-for-pound top-12:
MORE: Is Tank Davis the brand new face of boxing
1. Oleksandr Usyk
Report: 20-0 (13 KOs)
Present Titles: IBF, WBA, WBO, and Ring Journal Heavyweight
A former Olympic champion, an undisputed cruiserweight champion, and the reigning unified heavyweight champion of the world. Usyk, 35, is arguably the best technician in boxing at the moment, and he’s the entire package deal. Blessed with rapier hand pace, fast toes, unimaginable athleticism, and unmatched ring IQ, the Ukrainian wizard holds career-defining wins over Mairis Briedis (MD 12), Murat Gassiev (UD 12), and Anthony Joshua (UD 12, SD 12).
Subsequent struggle: Potential undisputed title conflict in opposition to Tyson Fury in 2023.
2. Naoya Inoue
Report: 24-0 (21 KOs)
Present Titles: Undisputed bantamweight
Is there a extra apt nickname in boxing than “The Monster?” From the second he turned skilled, Inoue, 29, possessed crushing punch energy, blazing hand pace, and exemplary method. Now a three-weight world champion, the Japanese star holds signature wins over Emmanuel Rodriguez (TKO 2) and Nonito Donaire (UD 12/ TKO 2).
On December 13, Inoue outclassed Paul Butler (TKO 11) to say the undisputed bantamweight championship.
Subsequent struggle: Transferring as much as 122 kilos. A matchup with unified champion Stephen Fulton is likely one of the most tasty within the sport.
MORE: Was there a “mole” in Ryan Garcia’s camp?
3. Terence Crawford
Report: 39-0 (30 KOs)
Present Titles: WBO welterweight
Omaha’s Crawford is likely one of the most embellished and gifted world champions in boxing at the moment. “Bud” adopted world title success at light-weight by changing into the undisputed champion at 140 kilos. Since 2018, the 35-year-old boxer-puncher has been campaigning at welterweight and his efficiency degree stays elite.
Notable triumphs have come in opposition to Ricky Burns (UD 12), Yuriorkis Gamboa (TKO 9), Viktor Postol (UD 12), and Shawn Porter (TKO 10).
Subsequent struggle: Cross your fingers for an undisputed title struggle in opposition to unified champion Errol Spence, however don’t maintain your breath.
4. Canelo Alvarez
Report: 58-2-2 (39 KOs)
Present Titles: Undisputed super-middleweight
Canelo is the largest star in boxing.
A former champion at junior-middleweight, middleweight, and light-heavyweight, the Mexican star at present holds all of the marbles at 168 kilos. With subsequent to no beginner basis, Canelo realized on the job as a professional and developed right into a well-rounded and expert competitor. Dmitry Bivol obtained the most effective of him in Might, however Canelo’s resume is the envy of his friends: Erislandy Lara (SD 12), Miguel Cotto (UD 12), Gennadiy Golovkin (MD 12, UD 12), Daniel Jacobs (UD 12), and Sergey Kovalev (KO 11), to call a number of.
Subsequent struggle: Recovering from wrist surgical procedure however planning a Cinco de Mayo look in Might.
MORE: Tank vs. Garcia is a wrap, Haney vs. Loma winner ought to be subsequent
5. Errol Spence Jr.
Report: 28-0 (22 KOs)
Present Titles: IBF, WBA, and WBC welterweight
A technically good lefty with an overflowing toolbox, there’s nothing that Spence can’t do in a boxing ring. The 32-year-old Texan is nearly as good on the within as he’s on the skin, and his punch selection is outstanding. Possession of three-quarters of the governing physique belts at 147 kilos have many satisfied that “The Fact” is the most effective welterweight on this planet.
Amongst his prime wins are Kell Brook (KO 11), Shawn Porter (SD 12), Danny Garcia (UD 12), and Yordenis Ugas (TKO 10)
Subsequent struggle: Has been ordered to face WBC No. 1 contender Keith Thurman.
6. Dmitry Bivol
Report: 21-0 (11 KOs)
Present Titles: WBA light-heavyweight
He got here from out of nowhere and he’s right here to remain.
Bivol, 31, was a long-reigning light-heavyweight titleholder when he was drafted in as a sacrificial lamb for boxing famous person Canelo Alvarez. Issues didn’t go to plan. The gifted and rangy Bivol outclassed the Mexican star over 12 rounds to crash the pound-for-pound record and break freed from the pack. In November, the Russian technician impressively outboxed the beforehand unbeaten Gilberto Ramirez. Bivol additionally holds victories over Jean Pascal (UD 12) and Joe Smith Jr. (UD 12).
Subsequent struggle: Has been linked to a Canelo rematch, however his desire is a unification struggle at 175 kilos.
7. Tyson Fury
Report: 33-0-1 (24 KOs)
Present Titles: WBC heavyweight
Many felt “The Gypsy King” was gone for good when he disappeared from the scene between November 2015 and June 2018. Fury’s first miracle was to lose 140 kilos in weight, which he did earlier than regaining the heavyweight championship of the world.
The Englishman’s top, weight, and dimensions are often referenced as the principle purpose for his success, however that’s blind ignorance – Fury’s ring IQ and combating coronary heart are past reproach. Profession-defining wins have come in opposition to Wladimir Klitschko (UD 12) and Deontay Wilder (TKO 7, KO 11).
MORE: What’s subsequent for Ryan Garcia?
Subsequent struggle: Hopefully, we see an undisputed championship struggle between Fury and Usyk. And it might be tragic if the long-awaited showdown with Anthony Joshua did not transpire.
8. Devin Haney
Report: 29-0 (15 KOs)
Present Titles: Undisputed light-weight
As of proper now, “The Dream” resides the dream.
After struggling to safe the largest and finest fights, Haney discovered himself venturing to Australia for an undisputed title conflict with George Kambosos Jr., who had unseated unified champ Teofimo Lopez. Haney, 24, outclassed Kambosos (UD 12) to emerge as the primary undisputed light-weight champion since Pernell Whitaker within the late Eighties. Haney’s pace, talent, judgement of distance, and technical know-how are of the very best calibre.
Different spectacular wins embrace Jorge Linares (UD 12), Joseph Diaz Jr. (UD 12), and a rematch win over Kambosos (UD 12).
Subsequent struggle: An unmissable matchup with Vasiliy Lomachenko appears to be like good for the primary quarter of subsequent yr.
MORE: Celebrities react to Tank’s KO win over Garcia
9. Josh Taylor
Report: 19-0 (13 KOs)
Present Titles: WBO and Ring Journal super-lightweight
This quick-fisted and gutsy Scotsman rocketed to stardom courtesy of the World Boxing Tremendous Collection event. Throughout and afterward, the 31-year-old Taylor took on a trio of harmful and beforehand unbeaten world titleholders to emerge because the undisputed super-lightweight champion in solely his 18th professional struggle.
He misplaced a little bit of luster following a poor exhibiting in opposition to Jack Catterall, which he pulled out through controversial break up determination, however Taylor is now super-motivated to re-establish his credentials. Defining wins embrace Ivan Baranchyk (UD 12), Regis Prograis (MD 12), and Jose Ramirez (UD 12)
Subsequent struggle: A rematch with Catterall in early 2023.
10. Shakur Stevenson
Report: 19-0 (9 KOs)
Present Titles: N/A
Stevenson, 25, doesn’t maintain a world title at current, however don’t let that idiot you. The previous featherweight and super-featherweight champion is awfully gifted and has now set his sights on the talent-laden light-weight division. An Olympic silver medallist, Stevenson has tailored brilliantly to the skilled ranks and he’s the very definition of a whole fighter.
His finest years are probably forward of him, however the New Jersey-born star already holds spectacular victories over Jamel Herring (TKO 10), Oscar Valdez (UD 12), and Robson Conceicao (UD 12).
Subsequent struggle: Stevenson might be making his official light-weight debut in early 2023.
11. Juan Francisco Estrada
Report: 44-3 (28 KOs)
Present Titles: WBC and Ring Journal super-flyweight
Mexican star Estrada efficiently marries the blood and guts tenacity of his dwelling nation with a cerebral method to the struggle sport. A former unified champion at flyweight, “El Gallo” moved as much as 115 kilos and has loved appreciable success.
He could also be nearer to the top than the start, however the 32-year-old Estrada has already punched his ticket to the Corridor of Fame with a plethora of career-defining wins: Brian Viloria (SD 12), Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (UD 12), and Roman Gonzalez (MD 12, SD 12) to call a number of.
MORE: Floyd Mayweather joins Gervonta Davis following KO win
Subsequent struggle: There’s been discuss of a fourth struggle with pleasant rival Roman Gonzalez. Estrada leads 2-1 within the collection.
12. Jermell Charlo
Report: 35-1-1 (19 KOs)
Present Titles: Undisputed super-welterweight
Like all fighters, Charlo can blow cold and hot, however when “Iron Man” is switched on he’s red-hot. The 32-year-old Texas star is a superb boxer-puncher with state-of-the-art weaponry and ample combating guts. Charlo’s means to adapt can’t be understated, as he bounced again from a controversial loss and a draw to Tony Harrison and Brian Castano, respectively, to attain convincing knockout victories in rematches.
His career-best wins embrace Erickson Lubin (KO 1), Harrison (KO 11), Jeison Rosario (KO 8), and Castano (KO 10).
Subsequent Combat: A high-quality conflict in opposition to unbeaten Australian star Tim Tszyu on January 28.