Canelo Alvarez names the top five pound-for-pound boxers in the world

As he prepares for his highly anticipated return to the ring on May 3, where he will defend his undisputed super middleweight title against William Scull, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez—a dominant force in contemporary boxing—was asked to share his personal ranking of the top five pound-for-pound fighters worldwide. With a career spanning four weight divisions and a professional record of 62-2-2, Canelo’s opinion holds significant authority in the boxing community.

Focused on reasserting his dominance at 168 pounds, and aware of the diverse skill sets that converge in boxing’s elite, Alvarez faced the challenge of selecting the five fighters who, regardless of weight class, stand out for their technical excellence, power, and consistency. This task, taken on during a recent interview with DAZN, also revealed Canelo’s deep admiration for certain colleagues, some of whom could be future opponents in the ring.

The list compiled by Alvarez offers a fascinating insight into his criteria as an elite boxer, underscoring the attributes he believes are essential at the top of the sport. His selection spans a wide variety of styles and divisions but centers around respect for technical mastery and the ability to transcend weight limitations.

Canelo’s picks

The first name to emerge in Canelo’s assessment was Terence Crawford, a ring virtuoso whose name has often been mentioned as a potential opponent for the Mexican champion.

Canelo Alvarez will face William Scull on May 3. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Oleksandr Usyk claims the second spot in Canelo’s ranking. The Ukrainian has made an indelible mark on boxing history by unifying the titles in two dramatically different weight divisions: cruiserweight and heavyweight.

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Taking third place is Naoya Inoue, the Japanese powerhouse whose combination of speed, power, and skill has earned him championships in four divisions, including the unification of titles in two.

Knockout power and pending rematch round out Canelo’s elite

Canelo’s fourth pick is Gervonta Davis, the explosive WBA lightweight champion. With an undefeated record of 30-0-1, including 28 knockouts, Davis represents a formidable threat to anyone in his division.

Finally, rounding out Canelo’s top five is Dmitry Bivol, the Russian light heavyweight champion. Bivol’s victory over Artur Beterbiev has solidified his status as the undisputed light heavyweight champion.

Canelo Alvarez’s top five pound-for-pound ranking highlights a unique blend of generational talent and potential future matchups that will undoubtedly fuel the excitement of boxing fans worldwide. These fighters represent the pinnacle of boxing today, showcasing not only technical brilliance but also the ongoing evolution of the sport.