There are some merely improbable fighters plying their commerce proper now, and loads of them had themselves a terrific 2024. We’ve seen some nice motion this 12 months, together with some completely chic boxing talent. Will probably be a tricky job with regards to choosing 2024’s Struggle of the 12 months, that’s for certain. However that’s one other article (or articles).
One other robust job, or perhaps not, relying in your view, is choosing the ultimate ten nice fighters who see out this 12 months because the pound-for-pound finest on the planet. Glorious fighters corresponding to Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford, Naoya Inoue, Oleksandr Usyk, and others will all be stating their case for being on the high of the pile as 2024 involves a detailed; or they are going to be leaving their followers and supporters to make their case.
So, who’re the ten finest fighters on the market as we speak and who’re the ten P-4-P finest as we inch in the direction of subsequent 12 months?
Right here’s a shot at it:
1: Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk had himself a terrific 12 months, with the a lot smaller man twice besting Tyson Fury in sensible, engrossing and at instances dramatic fights. Usyk is actually particular.
2: Naoya Inoue.
Lively and busy, Inoue would have boxed 3 times this 12 months, however for his December 24 combat with IBF necessary challenger Sam Goodman being postponed attributable to Goodman having to tug out with a reduce. As it’s, the unified super-bantamweight king scored two spectacular stoppage win. “The Monster” now appears to be like forward to an even bigger 2025.
3: Terence Crawford.
“Bud” boxed simply as soon as right here in 2024, however he made it rely as he received yet one more world title. Crawford, who like Usyk and Inoue might effectively retire unbeaten, moved as much as 154 kilos to take the robust Israel Madrimov’s WBA belt and in addition decide up the vacant WBO interim strap on the weight.
4: Canelo Alvarez.
Canelo boxed two instances this 12 months and in so doing he knocked off two younger and unbeaten fighters. Canelo confirmed he has lots left at age 34 together with his commanding wins over Jaime Munguia and Edgar Berlanga. Who would possibly the Mexican star face in 2025?
5: Artur Beterbiev.
The super-tough and in addition expert Beterbiev made two memorable ring appearances this 12 months. The unbeaten gentle heavyweight king stopped a sport Callum Smith in January, and he then edged Dmitry Bivol to scoop up all of the belts at 175 kilos in October. Beterbiev and Bivol will after all meet once more in February.
6: Dmitry Bivol.
Bivol, who loads of folks really feel deserved the win over Beterbiev, boxed late sub Malik Zinad in June, this when the Beterbiev combat was initially postponed, and Bivol received a large choice. Bivol then misplaced a razor-close combat with Beterbiev and he’s hungry for revenge. And he might effectively get it.
7: Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez.
“Bam” fought twice this 12 months, and he gave us two spectacular KO wins as he did so. Juan Francisco Estrada was routed save for a flash knockdown he managed to attain earlier than being stopped within the seventh spherical in June, whereas the beforehand unstopped Pedro Guevera was crushed inside three rounds in November. Rodriguez is a future nice within the opinion of loads of folks.
8: Gervonta “Tank” Davis.
“Tank” is way too good a fighter for him to have boxed simply as soon as this 12 months, this when he stopped Frank Martin in eight rounds again in June. Hopefully, the in-his-prime Davis may have a much more energetic 2025.
9: Junto Nakatani.
The excellent southpaw from Japan gave “Monster” Inoue an actual run for his cash so far as which fighter from Japan had the perfect 2024. Nakatani boxed 3 times this 12 months and he scarcely misplaced a spherical. Nakatani scored three KO wins in WBC bantamweight title fights. Might we see Nakatani Vs. Inoue subsequent 12 months?
10: Shakur Stevenson.
Like “Tank,” Stevenson is way too proficient a fighter to be having only one combat a 12 months, as was the case right here in 2024. The knock on Shakur in line with some folks is he’s “boring.” However Stevenson is massively gifted. A large choice win over Artem Harutyunyan noticed Stevenson showcase a few of his abilities, however not practically sufficient. Hopefully Stevenson may have himself a much more energetic 2025.
