April 2024 Pound-4-Pound-Boxing Rankings
(Updated September)
1. Terence Crawford
Strengths: In the realm of pugilism, Terence “Bud” Crawford emerges as a dynamic force, blending artistry with brute force in the squared circle.
A paragon of versatility, Crawford’s ability to seamlessly switch stances renders him an enigma to his adversaries, confounding even the most astute of ring tacticians.
With a keen pugilistic intellect, Crawford navigates the sweet science with a masterful command, exhibiting a preternatural ability to decipher his opponent’s strategies and adapt with surgical precision.
His ring IQ, a beacon of brilliance, guides his every move, orchestrating a symphony of strikes and evasions that leave his foes befuddled and beleaguered.
Weaknesses: Crawford, at times, finds himself ensnared in the labyrinth of a slow start, navigating the early rounds with caution rather than fervor, a tendency that can concede fleeting advantages to his adversaries.
Crawford occasionally struggles to assert his aggression, particularly against defensively adept adversaries who dictate the pace of engagement.
Questions linger regarding his durability, as Crawford, despite his defensive acumen, has displayed susceptibility to sustained barrages from heavy-hitting adversaries, exposing chinks in his defensive armor.
The sporadic cadence of his ring appearances, punctuated by periods of inactivity, presents a looming specter that threatens to dull the edge of his razor-sharp skills, leaving him vulnerable to the whims of ring rust.
Power:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Speed:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Stamina:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Defense:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Resilience:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Boxing Ability:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
In-Fighting:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Quality of Opposition :4.5 out of 5.0 stars
2. Oleksandr Usyk
Power:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Speed:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Stamina:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Defense:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Resilience:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Boxing Ability:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
In-Fighting:3.5 out of 5.0 stars
Quality of Opposition:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
3. Canelo Alvarez
Strengths: Canelo Alvarez showcases a masterful display of pugilistic brilliance, boasting impeccable technical acumen, evidenced by his seamless footwork, elusive defensive maneuvers, and precise counter-punching abilities. The Mexican sensation packs a devastating punch, with his left hook and body shots serving as potent weapons that have sent many opponents crashing to the canvas in awe of his power.
Defensively, Alvarez is a maestro, utilizing impeccable blocking techniques to thwart his adversaries’ offensive onslaughts with finesse. Adaptability is ingrained in Canelo’s fighting DNA, as he adeptly adjusts his strategy mid-bout to exploit his foes’ vulnerabilities and capitalize on their weaknesses, ensuring victory remains within his grasp.
Armed with a strategic mindset, Alvarez enters the ring with a tactical blueprint meticulously crafted to outwit his opponents, a testament to his astute boxing intellect and ring savvy.
Weaknesses: Despite notable improvements in his endurance, Canelo’s stamina remains a question mark, with certain bouts revealing moments of fatigue, particularly in lengthier contests that test his cardiovascular fortitude. Mobility, while sufficient, is an area where Alvarez occasionally finds himself challenged, as his foot speed and lateral movement may not match the dynamism of some of his fleet-footed counterparts, limiting his ability to dictate the pace of the fight.
The Mexican superstar has shown susceptibility to relentless pressure, faltering under the unyielding assault of opponents who refuse to relent, exposing chinks in his defensive armor and testing his mettle. Age and musclebound physique has robbed Canelo of some hand speed and elusiveness.
Power:5.0 out of 5.0 stars
Speed:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Stamina:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Defense:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Resilience:5.0 out of 5.0 stars
Boxing Ability:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
In-Fighting:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Quality of Opposition:5.0 out of 5.0 stars
4. Naoya Inoue
Strengths: Naoya’s aggressive style is a symphony of destruction. “The Monster” possesses thunderous power in both fists, the surgical precision of his timing, and the blinding handspeed.
Inoue’s left hook, a weapon of mass destruction, has left a trail of fallen adversaries in its wake, a testament to his unrivaled punching power.
Weaknesses: Occasionally susceptibility to body shots—a chink in the armor that cunning foes seek to exploit. Becomes frustrated when foes refuse to engage, lacking the creativity to create openings.
His reach, though not diminutive, pales in comparison to some of his adversaries, posing a perpetual challenge in maintaining the distance necessary to unleash his ferocious arsenal.
Power:5.0 out of 5.0 stars
Speed:5.0 out of 5.0 stars
Stamina:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Defense:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Resilience:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Boxing Ability:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
In-Fighting:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Quality of Opposition:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
5. Gervonta Davis
Strengths: Gervonta Davis boasts formidable power, a hallmark of his boxing prowess, capable of abruptly ending bouts with explosive single strikes. His ringcraft is marked by nimble footwork and lightning-fast hand speed, affording him both offensive precision and defensive elusiveness.
Davis exhibits a keen sense of timing, often capitalizing on opponents’ openings with clinical counterpunching. Notably, his adeptness in targeting the body is a strategic asset, systematically breaking down adversaries and setting the stage for decisive finishes.
The Baltimore bully’s mental fortitude shines through adversity, exemplifying resilience and unwavering determination in high-pressure situations.
Weaknesses: Concerns linger regarding his stamina, evidenced in bouts where fatigue has surfaced in the later rounds.
Outside the squared circle, Davis has encountered challenges related to discipline and legal entanglements, posing distractions that could impede his focus and preparation.
A relative lack of experience against top-tier competition raises questions about his ability to navigate the elite ranks.
Moving up in weight classes may present a size disparity, pitting him against adversaries with inherent physical advantages.
Power:5.0 out of 5.0 stars
Speed:5.0 out of 5.0 stars
Stamina:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Defense:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Resilience:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Boxing Ability:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
In-Fighting:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Quality of Opposition:3.5 out of 5.0 stars
6. Dmitry Bivol
Strengths: Bivol’s ring mastery shines brightly through his exquisite technical finesse, epitomized by impeccable footwork and laser accuracy. His ringcraft is underscored by remarkable swiftness and nimbleness, facilitating seamless movement and adept evasion of adversaries’ blows.
Bivol’s defensive arsenal is robust, characterized by astute head movement, adept blocking, and deft counterpunching to elude incoming assaults.
Bivol exhibits a keen tactical acumen, deftly adjusting his approach to exploit opponents’ weaknesses and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Weaknesses: Criticism has been directed at Bivol’s perceived vulnerability in navigating exchanges at close range or within the pocket.
Some pundits have cast doubt on the caliber of opposition faced by Bivol, suggesting a need for encounters against higher-tier adversaries to truly gauge his mettle.
Periods of lull between bouts have drawn scrutiny, potentially disrupting Bivol’s rhythm and sharpness in the ring, thus warranting a critical eye on his activity level.
Power:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Speed:5.0 out of 5.0 stars
Stamina:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Defense:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Resilience:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Boxing Ability:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
In-Fighting:3.5 out of 5.0 stars
Quality of Opposition:3.5 out of 5.0 stars
7. Artur Beterbiev
Power:5.0 out of 5.0 stars
Speed:3.5 out of 5.0 stars
Stamina:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Defense:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Resilience:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Boxing Ability:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
In-Fighting:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Quality of Opposition:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
8. Teofimo Lopez
Power:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Speed:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Stamina:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Defense:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Resilience:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Boxing Ability:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
In-Fighting:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Quality of Opposition:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
9. Vasily Lomachencko
Power:3.5 out of 5.0 stars
Speed:5.0 out of 5.0 stars
Stamina:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Defense:5.0 out of 5.0 stars
Resilience:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Boxing Ability:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
In-Fighting:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Quality of Opposition:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
10. Ryan Garcia
Power:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Speed:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Stamina:3.5 out of 5.0 stars
Defense:3.5 out of 5.0 stars
Resilience:3.5 out of 5.0 stars
Boxing Ability:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
In-Fighting:3.0 out of 5.0 stars
Quality of Opposition:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
11. David Benavidez
Power:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Speed:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Stamina:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Defense:3.5 out of 5.0 stars
Resilience:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Boxing Ability:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
In-Fighting:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Quality of Opposition:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
12. Jesse Rodriquez
13. Shakur Stevenson
14. Tyson Fury
15. Anthony Joshua
