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Three fighters within the high 10 have been in motion since our final rankings, and all three delivered thrilling performances.
Oleksander Usyk solidified his No. 1 spot with a one-sided demolition of Daniel Dubois of their rematch at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Usyk utilized strain for so long as the combat lasted and dropped Dubois in Spherical 5 twice earlier than the combat was stopped.
With the victory, Usyk grew to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion and made a case for him to be the perfect fighter of the final 25 years.
Additionally on Saturday, at The Ford Middle at The Star in Frisco, Texas, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez dominated Phumelela Cafu in a Tenth-round TKO victory to unify the WBC and WBO junior bantamweight titles.
“I felt prefer it was a great efficiency,” Rodriguez stated after the combat. “In all probability my greatest efficiency as much as in the present day, in opposition to my hardest opponent, my hardest combat but. [Cafu was] loads more durable than I assumed he was going to be, however we acquired the job performed it doesn’t matter what.”
He has been getting the job performed like that since 2022, when he gained the WBC junior bantamweight title. Since then, Rodriguez has a document of 7-0 with 5 KOs, all title fights. He strikes up one spot to No. 5 forward of Artur Beterbiev.
On July 12, Shakur Stevenson turned in a formidable grasp class in opposition to William Zepeda in a unanimous choice win at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York. Stevenson, routinely criticized for his no-risk, defensive model, added some offense in opposition to Zepeda to win by scorecards of 118-110, 118-110 and 119-109. Stevenson outlanded the ability hitter Zepeda in whole punches (295 to 272) and in energy punches (199 to 153).
“He got here in, pushed me,” Stevenson stated of Zepeda after the combat. “He pushed me to a different stage.
“On the finish of the day, I advised you all, no matter it takes to get the job performed, I acquired canine in me. I am not a pet. I am not a poodle. I am a tricky man, so I acquired canine in me.”
Stevenson’s efficiency helped him transfer up three spots to No. 7.
Our panel of Andreas Hale, Timothy Bradley Jr., Joe Tessitore, Teddy Atlas, Nick Parkinson, Eric Raskin, Bernardo Osuna, Eric Woodyard, Bernardo Pilatti, Charles Moynihan, Salvador Rodriguez, Claudia Trejos, Jim Zirolli, Michael Mascaro, Aladdin Freeman, Victor Lopez and Damian Delgado Averhoff shares its votes.
Extra ESPN rankings: Divisional rankings and ladies’s pound-for-pound rankings.
Observe: Outcomes are by July 23.
1. OLEKSANDR USYK 
Earlier rating: 1
RECORD: 24-0, 15 KOs
DIVISION: Heavyweight (undisputed champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (KO5) Daniel Dubois, July 19
NEXT FIGHT: TBA
Usyk is starting to stake his declare as the perfect heavyweight of this century with a definitive end of Dubois to turn into the undisputed champion as soon as once more. There could be no controversy this time round as Usyk wiped Dubois out within the fifth spherical and took little injury. Joseph Parker is probably going the subsequent in line to get his shot, however with two wins apiece over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Dubois, there actually is not a lot left for Usyk to do apart from lap the competitors. — Andreas Hale
2. NAOYA INOUE Earlier rating: 2
RECORD: 30-0, 27 KOs
DIVISION: Junior featherweight (undisputed champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (TKO8) Ramon Cardenas, Could 4
NEXT FIGHT: Sept. 14 vs. Murodjon Akhmadaliev
It is uncommon to see a fighter who’s as dominant and thrilling as Inoue. His thrilling battle with Ramon Cardenas in Las Vegas additional cemented the Japanese celebrity as must-see tv. He is already slotted in for a September showdown with Murodjon Akhmadaliev in Japan and will then make the transfer to featherweight or have interaction in an All-Japan showdown with fellow champion Junto Nakatani in 2026. — Hale
3. TERENCE CRAWFORD Earlier rating: 3
RECORD: 40-0, 31 KOs
DIVISION: Junior middleweight (champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (UD12) Israil Madrimov, Aug. 3
NEXT FIGHT: Sept. 13 vs. Canelo Alvarez
The one true argument in opposition to Crawford being No. 1 is his lack of exercise. However his hiatus will lastly finish after a yr when he jumps as much as tremendous middleweight to problem Canelo Alvarez for the chance to turn into the one boxer within the four-belt period to be undisputed in three weight courses. It is obscene to suppose that Crawford began his profession amassing titles at 135 kilos and can now try to dethrone the game’s largest star at 168 kilos. But when anyone can do it, it is “Bud.” — Hale
4. DMITRY BIVOL Earlier rating: 4
RECORD: 24-1, 12 KOs
DIVISION: Mild heavyweight (unified champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (MD12) Artur Beterbiev, Feb. 22
NEXT FIGHT: TBA
Bivol avenged his solely loss when he defeated Artur Beterbiev on Feb. 22 in a wonderful efficiency. He’ll keep away from David Benavidez (for now) as he’ll doubtless have interaction in a rubber match with Beterbiev for his subsequent combat. Ought to he emerge victorious, a extremely anticipated showdown with “The Mexican Monster” may very well be on the menu for 2026. — Hale
5. JESSE RODRIGUEZ Earlier rating: 6
RECORD: 22-0, 15 KOs
DIVISION: Junior bantamweight (unified champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (TKO10) Phumelela Cafu, July 19
NEXT FIGHT: TBA
At 25, Rodriguez by some means manages to be underrated regardless of his pound-for-pound standing. He collected one more world title by thumping WBC titleholder Phumelele Cafu for a Tenth-round end. After we discuss in regards to the smaller weight courses, we frequently point out Inoue’s title. However perhaps we must be speaking much more about “Bam.” He’ll face WBA titleholder Fernando Martinez in November, which can be a possibility to place his title on the poll for fighter of the yr. — Hale
6. ARTUR BETERBIEV Earlier rating: 5
RECORD: 21-1, 20 KOs
DIVISION: Mild heavyweight
LAST FIGHT: L (MD12) Dmitry Bivol, Feb. 22
NEXT FIGHT: TBA
Beterbiev suffered the one lack of his professional profession in a rematch with Dmitry Bivol on Feb. 22 however nonetheless made an excellent account of himself in opposition to a fellow pound-for-pound fighter. Contemplating the aggressive nature of each fights, it is sensible for the Russian to carry his spot on the P4P record. He’ll doubtless get an opportunity to avenge the blemish in a return bout later this yr. Though he has crossed into his 40s, Beterbiev nonetheless is acting at an elite stage. — Hale
7. SHAKUR STEVENSON Earlier rating: 10
RECORD: 24-0, 11 KOs
DIVISION: Light-weight (champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (UD12) William Zepeda, July 12
NEXT FIGHT: TBA
Stevenson lastly acquired the sort of opponent followers have been asking for, and as soon as once more, he got here out on high, including a bit extra aggression to his flawless tactical model. Stevenson dominated William Zepeda on July 12 in New York in an thrilling efficiency. As distinctive as Stevenson has been, the largest grievance he faces is that he nearly makes it look too simple contained in the squared circle and coasts to choice victories. He was speculated to have his fingers full with a high-volume puncher in Zepeda, however he was in a position to deal with all the pieces Zepeda threw his means. Stevenson used a jab to the physique, uppercuts and efficient mixture to sluggish Zepeda down and put any complaints about his lack of offense to relaxation. — Hale
8. CANELO ALVAREZ Earlier rating: 7
RECORD: 63-2-2, 39 KOs
DIVISION: Tremendous middleweight (undisputed champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (UD12) William Scull, Could 3
NEXT FIGHT: Sept. 13 vs. Terence Crawford
Boxing’s largest star underwhelmed in his most up-to-date outing in opposition to William Scull, regardless of once more changing into the undisputed champion at 168 kilos. Nevertheless, Canelo wanted to get that combat out of the best way to arrange arguably the largest combat of the yr when he accepts the problem of Terence Crawford at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sept. 12. Current opposition apart, Canelo has amassed a wonderful résumé and can have an opportunity so as to add one other future Corridor of Famer to his portfolio. — Hale
9. DAVID BENAVIDEZ Earlier rating: 8
RECORD: 30-0, 24 KOs
DIVISION: Mild heavyweight (champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (UD12) David Morrell, Feb. 1
NEXT FIGHT: Nov. 22 vs. Anthony Yarde
For no matter cause, no person desires to combat Benavidez. He did all the pieces he wanted to at 168 kilos however was unable to land a combat with Canelo Alvarez. Now he finds himself in an identical place at gentle heavyweight as Dmitry Bivol vacated the WBC title so he may face Beterbiev in a rubber match, as an alternative of going through Benavidez. With wins over Caleb Plant, Demetrius Andrade and David Morrell on his résumé, it is solely a matter of time till “The Mexican Monster” will get to check himself in opposition to the largest names within the sport. However first, he’ll meet Anthony Yarde in November. The scary factor is that he’s solely 28 and hasn’t hit his bodily prime. — Hale
10. JUNTO NAKATANI Earlier rating: 9
RECORD: 31-0, 24 KOs
DIVISION: Bantamweight (unified champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (TKO6) Ryosuke Nishida, June 8
NEXT FIGHT: TBA
Japan’s different pound-for-pound fighter on this record unified the bantamweight titles on June 8 in opposition to IBF titleholder Ryosuke Nishida. “Massive Bang” is thrilling to look at and has gained all 5 of his bantamweight fights by knockout since making the transfer from junior bantamweight final February. An eventual blockbuster showdown with countryman Naoya Inoue seems to be on the horizon in what could be the largest combat within the historical past of Japan. — Hale
The components
The rankings are primarily based on a descending factors system, with a first-place vote awarding 10 factors, a second-place vote awarding 9 factors and so forth. A tie goes to the fighter with the very best rating, then the one with essentially the most votes at that rating.
Others receiving votes: Teofimo Lopez Jr. (5), Gervonta Davis (5), Janibek Alimkhanuly (1).
How our writers voted
Bradley: 1. Usyk, 2. Crawford, 3: Inoue, 4. Bivol, 5. Beterbiev, 6. Alvarez, 7. Nakatani, 8. Rodriguez, 9. Stevenson, 10. Benavidez
Hale: 1. Usyk, 2. Crawford, 3. Inoue, 4. Bivol, 5. Rodriguez, 6. Beterbiev, 7. Alvarez, 8. Benavidez, 9. Stevenson, 10. Nakatani
Atlas: 1. Usyk, 2. Crawford, 3. Inoue, 4. Bivol, 5. Benavidez, 6. Beterbiev, 7. Stevenson, 8. Rodriguez, 9. Nakatani, 10. Alvarez
Tessitore: 1. Usyk, 2. Crawford, 3. Inoue, 4. Beterbiev, 5. Bivol, 6. Rodriguez, 7. Nakatani, 8. Benavidez, 9. Stevenson, 10. Alvarez
Parkinson: 1. Usyk, 2. Inoue, 3. Crawford, 4. Bivol, 5. Beterbiev, 6. Rodriguez, 7. Alvarez, 8. Nakatani, 9. Stevenson, 10. Benavidez
Raskin: 1. Usyk, 2. Inoue, 3. Crawford, 4. Bivol, 5. Beterbiev, 6. Rodriguez, 7. Stevenson, 8. Benavidez, 9. Alvarez, 10. Nakatani
Osuna: 1. Usyk, 2. Inoue, 3. Crawford, 4. Bivol, 5. Rodriguez, 6. Stevenson, 7. Nakatani, 8. Beterbiev, 9. Alvarez, 10. Benavidez
Rodriguez: 1. Usyk, 2. Inoue, 3. Bivol, 4. Crawford, 5. Rodriguez, 6. Alvarez, 7. Beterbiev, 8. Nakatani, 9. Benavidez, 10. Stevenson
Trejos: 1. Usyk, 2. Inoue, 3. Crawford, 4. Bivol, 5. Rodriguez, 6. Stevenson, 7. Alvarez, 8. Benavidez, 9. Nakatani, 10. Beterbiev
Woodyard: 1. Usyk, 2. Crawford, 3. Inoue, 4. Bivol, 5. Alvarez, 6. Rodriguez, 7. Stevenson, 8. Benavidez, 9. Davis, 10. Beterbiev
Moynihan: 1. Usyk, 2. Crawford, 3. Inoue, 4. Bivol, 5. Alvarez, 6. Beterbiev, 7. Stevenson, 8. Rodriguez, 9. Benavidez, 10. Davis
Pilatti: 1. Usyk, 2. Inoue, 3. Bivol, 4. Beterbiev, 5. Rodriguez, 6. Benavidez, 7. Stevenson, 8. Crawford, 9. Nakatani, 10. Alimkhanuly
Zirolli: 1. Usyk, 2. Crawford, 3. Inoue, 4. Stevenson, 5. Bivol, 6. Beterbiev, 7. Rodriguez, 8. Alvarez, 9. Lopez, 10. Nakatani
Mascaro: 1. Usyk, 2. Inoue, 3. Crawford, 4. Rodriguez, 5. Bivol, 6. Beterbiev, 7. Nakatani, 8. Benavidez, 9. Davis, 10. Lopez
Freeman: 1. Usyk, 2. Inoue, 3. Crawford, 4. Rodriguez, 5. Bivol, 6. Beterbiev, 7. Stevenson, 8. Nakatani, 9. Alvarez, 10. Lopez
Lopez: 1. Usyk, 2. Inoue, 3. Crawford, 4. Bivol, 5. Beterbiev, 6. Alvarez, 7. Rodriguez, 8. Benavidez, 9. Stevenson, 10. Nakatani
Delgado Averhof: 1. Usyk, 2. Inoue, 3. Bivol, 4. Crawford, 5. Rodriguez, 6. Beterbiev, 7. Benavidez, 8. Stevenson, 9. Alvarez, 10. Lopez
ESPN consultants’ ballot
First place: Usyk (17)
Second place: Inoue (10), Crawford (7)
Third place: Inoue (7), Crawford (7), Bivol (3)
Fourth place: Bivol (10), Crawford (2), Rodriguez (2), Beterbiev (2), Stevenson (1)
Fifth place: Rodriguez (6), Bivol (4), Beterbiev (4), Alvarez (2), Benavidez (1)
Sixth place: Beterbiev (7), Rodriguez (4), Alvarez (3), Stevenson (2), Benavidez (1)
Seventh place: Stevenson (6), Nakatani (4), Alvarez (3), Rodriguez (2), Beterbiev (1), Benavidez (1)
Eighth place: Benavidez (7), Rodriguez (3), Nakatani (3), Crawford (1), Beterbiev (1), Stevenson (1), Alvarez (1)
Ninth place: Stevenson (5), Alvarez (4), Nakatani (3), Benavidez (2), Davis (2), Lopez (1)
Tenth place: Nakatani (4), Benavidez (3), Lopez (3), Beterbiev (2), Alvarez (2), Stevenson (1), Davis (1), Akhmadaliev (1)
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