Pound for Pound Men 2025

Pound for Pound Men November 2025

Photo by Al Applerose

By Uppercut Magazine staff 

We have tabbed Crawford as the Pound for Pound best for the past two years, so his recent victory was not a surprise to us. He remains number one on this list of the best male fighters in the world.

Others on this list have moved up or disappeared like Tyson Fury and Artur Beterbiev.

Movin up are Dmitrii Bivol and David Benavidez who both reside in the light heavyweight weight class. A possible showdown between the two is a strong possibility. First, Benavidez has a date with Anthony Yardley this coming November.

Oleksandr Usyk has moved up a few spots and now holds the number three position behind Japan’s great Naoya Inoue. Usyk had a spectacular knockout win over Daniel DuBois but we don’t jump over other pound for pound fighters unless they lose. Inoue has not lost so he remains in the second position.

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez lost his spot to Usyk after losing to Crawford in September. Though there is no shame in losing to a great fighter like Crawford but Alvarez drops down several spots.

Others moving up are David Benavidez who now competes in the light heavyweights and has a scheduled match looming against England’s Anthony Yardley in November.

Here is the new list of the best fighters in the world Pound for Pound:

1.    Terence Crawford (42-0, 31 Kos) – Now 38, the multi-division champion from Omaha, Nebraska finally had his big moment and showed up this past September. Despite jumping up two weight divisions Crawford was able to match and exceed Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and win a decisive victory to stamp his claim as the best in the business.

2.    Naoya Inoue (31-0, 27 Kos) – Japan’s “Monster” Inoue is 32 and looks as deadly as ever. The undisputed super bantam has decimated every weight division and now awaits a showdown with fellow Japanese destroyer Junto Nakatani.

3.    Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 Kos) – The Ukrainian heavyweight is now 38 and getting more dominant. His wins over Daniel Dubois and Tyson Fury were easier the second time around. He might be one of the best heavyweights in history.

4.    Dmitrii Bivol (24-1, 12 Kos) – Russia’s Bivol, 34, reclaimed the light heavyweight division with a close victory over Artur Beterbiev and could be headed for a showdown with David Benavidez. He still remains one of the craftiest fighters from Russia.

5.    David Benavidez (30-0, 24 Kos) – The “Mexican Monster” is now 28 and after two light heavyweight battles is now focused on winning the title against United Kingdom’s Anthony Yarde on November 22. Can he carry his power in the light heavyweight division is the only question.

6.    Saul Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 Kos) – Though Mexico’s “Canelo” is only 35, he has had far more battles than any other fighter on this list. It could be time for the great Mexican fighter to hang up his gloves. His loss to Crawford was probably a signal for the multi-division champion to retire. There are no more hills to conquer. He had a great career.

7.    Junto Nakatani (31-0, 24 Kos) – Japan’s other destroyer is now 27 and headed for an eventual showdown with Naoya Inoue. Both have speed, skill and crackling power. It would be the greatest fight in Japanese history if they meet next year.

8.    Gervonta Davis (30-0-1, 28 Kos) – “Tank” Davis has a match coming soon against Jake Paul. The Baltimore fighter is now 30 and he is a prizefighter. The money is there so why not take it. After fighting Paul next month,

9.    Teofimo Lopez (22-1, 13 Kos) – New York’s Lopez, 28, has now moved to Las Vegas and though not as active as other fighters he does possess incredible athletic prowess and fighting abilities. “The Takeover” as he calls himself, seeks a hefty contract fight against someone that can draw public interest. He has called out Terence Crawford but that’s a large jump for a super lightweight. Whoever it is will be a big fight/

10. Jesse Rodriguez (22-0, 15 Kos) – “Bam” Rodriguez at 25 is the youngest on this list of pound for pound best. The southpaw from San Antonio, Texas continues to defeat all comers from light flyweight to super flyweight. Could the bantamweight division be next on his target? It would not be a surprise to see him tangle with Nakatani or Inoue.

11. Shakur Stevenson (24-0, 11 Kos) – The speedy southpaw from Newark is 28 and has yet to have a major moment. A match with Teofimo Lopez could end that streak of noncompetitive fights. Still, Stevenson has the tools and quickness to compete in heavier divisions. He has not been truly tested.

12. Gilberto Ramirez (48-1, 30 Kos) – The Mexican southpaw is now 34 and competing in the cruiserweight division and doing well. Zurdo has put star power into the division and shown he is better fit for the bigger fighters. No longer needing to shorn weight, Ramirez has found his place.  

Honorable Mention

Artur Beterbiev, Vergil Ortiz Jr. Jaron Ennis, Devin Haney, Nick Ball, Brian Norman Jr., Jermall Charlo, Rafael Espinoza, Richardson Hitchins, Conor Benn, Sebastian Fundora