Ring Magazine

Canelo Alvarez Exits The Ring‘s Pound-for-Pound Top 10 as New Faces Emerge

A boxing era has come to a close as ⁣Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has been removed ⁢from ⁤ The Ring’s pound-for-pound top 10 list, ending a ​decade-long run that began in May 2013 ‌following his victory over Austin Trout.⁤ the ‍shift ⁤marks a notable ​changing of the guard ⁢in the sport, coinciding ‌with notable ‍movement across three weight divisions.

Alvarez’s departure, ‌briefly interrupted by a six-month suspension in 2018⁤ after testing positive⁢ for ⁤Clenbuterol – attributed to contaminated meat and accepted by‌ the Nevada State‍ Athletic Commission – signifies a broader reshaping of the rankings. Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez has‌ surged to No. 4, while Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev have dropped​ to No. 5‌ and No. 6 respectively.‍ Devin Haney⁢ enters ⁢the list at ‌No. 10.

Super Middleweight & Beyond

The latest divisional rankings reveal⁢ shifts in the ⁤168-pound super middleweight class,‍ with Christian Mbilli rising⁢ to No. 3 and Liam Smith falling to No. 8. At junior middleweight ⁤(154 lbs), Tim Tszyu remains⁢ at ​No. 1, while Israil Madrimov moves up to ⁤No. 2. In ⁤the⁣ heavyweight division,Joe Joyce has fallen ​out of the top 10,making way for Frank Sanchez at No. 9.

Current Pound-for-Pound​ Top 10:

1. Terence Crawford (U.S.) 42-0-0 (31 KOs)
2. Oleksandr ‍Usyk (Ukraine) 24-0-0 (15 KOs)
3. Naoya Inoue (Japan) 31-0-0 (27 KOs)
4. Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez ⁤(U.S.) 23-0-0 (16 KOs)
5. Dmitry Bivol (Russia) ⁤24-1-0 (12 ​KOs)
6. Artur Beterbiev (Russia) 21-1-0 (20 KOs)
7. Junto Nakatani (Japan) 31-0-0 ​(24 KOs)
8. Shakur Stevenson (U.S.) 24-0-0 (11​ kos)
9. David Benavidez​ (U.S.) 31-0-0 (25‌ KOs)
10. Devin Haney (U.S.)​ 30-0-0 (15 KOs)

Panel ‌Commentary

The‌ Ring ​panel members weighed in on⁣ the changes.⁢ “I’m for taking ‌’Bam’ up two spots to No. 4. This kid is such​ a throwback and he ALWAYS delivers.Martinez had only been down once in his career and was an unbeaten‌ world titleholder.⁣ Bam ‌smoked him with a single ‍counter punch. He’s amazing! I ​also ‌like ‍Devin to ‍replace Canelo at No. 10,” said Tom Grey.

Daisuke Sugiura concurred, ‌stating, “I⁢ think Bam should ⁣be ranked No.4 on‍ the⁤ P4P list,⁣ and Haney at⁣ No. 10.”

Anson Wainwright added, “Jesse Rodriguez was really extraordinary against Fernando Martinez. I’d move him up one‌ place… Similarly ⁤David Benavidez was too much ​for Anthony Yarde and I’d move ⁣up one place. I’d not be against Devin Haney re-entering the ⁤pound-for-pound picture coming in at No. 10.”

hearn Condemns Zuffa Boxing‘s Model, Vows to‌ Protect Boxing’s Core ⁢Principles

LAS VEGAS – Matchroom Boxing chairman⁣ Eddie​ Hearn sharply criticized UFC president Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing venture following Tim Tszyu’s victory over Tony Harrison, asserting a firm opposition to its proposed business practices and questioning its commitment to the sport’s established foundations. Hearn specifically took aim at Zuffa Boxing’s potential alterations to the ⁢economic structure of boxing and the introduction of new championships.

The dispute centers on fundamental differences in revenue distribution and⁢ regulatory adherence. Hearn emphasized that traditional boxing prioritizes fighter compensation, with “the ⁤majority of ⁤the revenue from the‍ show [going] ⁤to the fighter,” a stark⁣ contrast to the UFC’s model where “the majority of revenue…goes to the promoter.” He further expressed his disinterest in adopting Zuffa ‍Boxing’s ⁤approach, stating, ‍”I wouldn’t⁤ moan. ​But that’s not how ‌we work in boxing.”

Hearn also dismissed Zuffa⁣ Boxing’s plan to create its own belts, labeling them “fake belts” and reaffirming his belief in the significance‌ of existing sanctioning bodies. He drew a firm line against ⁢any attempts ‌to modify the established rules or ​regulations governing the sport, including the Muhammad Ali Act, which⁤ ensures transparency in boxing finances. “I’m not interested in changing the‍ Muhammad Ali Act. I’m not interested in changing the shape of the ring or the rules,” Hearn ⁢declared.

The conflict comes‌ as ​Zuffa Boxing solidifies its media presence, announcing ‌a long-term agreement with Paramount+ on September 29 to stream monthly events ⁣beginning in january 2026, ⁣with potential⁤ for future broadcasts​ on CBS.

Hearn positioned Matchroom Boxing‌ as a defender of boxing’s integrity, highlighting ‍his ‍commitment ⁤to ⁤transparency and fair compensation for ‌fighters like Tim Tszyu, whom he believes has the potential to ‌become a “generational great.” He ⁤concluded, “What ⁢I’m interested in is the greatness‌ of the sport of boxing.​ And our belts matter.”