Pound for pound: Shakur, 'Bam' Rodriguez move up after exciting wins

Three fighters successful the apical 10 were successful enactment since our past rankings, and each 3 delivered breathtaking performances.

Oleksander Usyk solidified his No. 1 spot with a one-sided demolition of Daniel Dubois successful their rematch astatine London's Wembley Stadium connected Saturday. Usyk applied unit for arsenic agelong arsenic the combat lasted and dropped Dubois successful Round 5 doubly earlier the combat was stopped.

With the victory, Usyk became a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion and made a lawsuit for him to beryllium the champion combatant of the past 25 years.

Also connected Saturday, astatine The Ford Center astatine The Star successful Frisco, Texas, Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez dominated Phumelela Cafu successful a 10th-round TKO victory to unify the WBC and WBO inferior bantamweight titles.

"I felt similar it was a bully performance," Rodriguez said aft the fight. "Probably my champion show up to today, against my toughest opponent, my toughest combat yet. [Cafu was] a batch tougher than I thought helium was going to be, but we got the occupation done nary substance what."

He has been getting the occupation done similar that since 2022, erstwhile helium won the WBC inferior bantamweight title. Since then, Rodriguez has a grounds of 7-0 with 5 KOs, each rubric fights. He moves up 1 spot to No. 5 up of Artur Beterbiev.

On July 12, Shakur Stevenson turned successful an awesome maestro people against William Zepeda successful a unanimous determination win astatine Louis Armstrong Stadium successful Queens, New York. Stevenson, routinely criticized for his no-risk, antiaircraft style, added immoderate discourtesy against Zepeda to triumph by scorecards of 118-110, 118-110 and 119-109. Stevenson outlanded the powerfulness hitter Zepeda successful full punches (295 to 272) and successful powerfulness punches (199 to 153).

"He came in, pushed me," Stevenson said of Zepeda aft the fight. "He pushed maine to different level.

"At the extremity of the day, I told you all, immoderate it takes to get the occupation done, I got canine successful me. I'm not a puppy. I'm not a poodle. I'm a pugnacious guy, truthful I got canine successful me."

Stevenson's show helped him determination up 3 spots to No. 7.

Our sheet 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.

More ESPN rankings: Divisional rankings and women's pound-for-pound rankings.

Note: Results are done July 23.

1. OLEKSANDR USYK     Previous ranking: 1

RECORD: 24-0, 15 KOs
DIVISION: Heavyweight (undisputed champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (KO5) Daniel Dubois, July 19
NEXT FIGHT: TBA

Usyk is opening to involvement his assertion arsenic the champion heavyweight of this period with a definitive decorativeness of Dubois to go the undisputed champion erstwhile again. There would beryllium nary contention this clip astir arsenic Usyk wiped Dubois retired successful the 5th circular and took small damage. Joseph Parker is apt the adjacent successful enactment to get his shot, but with 2 wins apiece implicit Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Dubois, determination truly isn't overmuch near for Usyk to bash speech from thigh the competition. -- Andreas Hale

2. NAOYA INOUE     Previous ranking: 2

RECORD: 30-0, 27 KOs
DIVISION: Junior featherweight (undisputed champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (TKO8) Ramon Cardenas, May 4
NEXT FIGHT: Sept. 14 vs. Murodjon Akhmadaliev

It's uncommon to spot a combatant who is arsenic ascendant and breathtaking arsenic Inoue. His thrilling conflict with Ramon Cardenas successful Las Vegas further cemented the Japanese superstar arsenic must-see television. He's already slotted successful for a September showdown with Murodjon Akhmadaliev successful Japan and could past marque the determination to featherweight oregon prosecute successful an All-Japan showdown with chap champion Junto Nakatani successful 2026. -- Hale

3. TERENCE CRAWFORD     Previous ranking: 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 lone existent statement against Crawford being No. 1 is his deficiency of activity. But his hiatus volition yet extremity aft a twelvemonth erstwhile helium jumps up to ace middleweight to situation Canelo Alvarez for the accidental to go the lone boxer successful the four-belt epoch to beryllium undisputed successful 3 value classes. It's obscene to deliberation that Crawford started his vocation collecting titles astatine 135 pounds and volition present effort to dethrone the sport's biggest prima astatine 168 pounds. But if anybody tin bash it, it's "Bud." -- Hale

4. DMITRY BIVOL     Previous ranking: 4

RECORD: 24-1, 12 KOs
DIVISION: Light heavyweight (unified champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (MD12) Artur Beterbiev, Feb. 22
NEXT FIGHT: TBA

Bivol avenged his lone nonaccomplishment erstwhile he defeated Artur Beterbiev connected Feb. 22 successful an fantabulous performance. He'll debar David Benavidez (for now) arsenic helium volition apt prosecute successful a rubber lucifer with Beterbiev for his adjacent fight. Should helium look victorious, a highly anticipated showdown with "The Mexican Monster" could beryllium connected the paper for 2026. -- Hale

5. JESSE RODRIGUEZ     Previous ranking: 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 someway manages to beryllium underrated contempt his pound-for-pound status. He collected yet different satellite rubric by thumping WBC titleholder Phumelele Cafu for a 10th-round finish. When we speech astir the smaller value classes, we often notation Inoue's name. But possibly we should beryllium talking a batch much astir "Bam." He'll look WBA titleholder Fernando Martinez successful November, which volition beryllium an accidental to enactment his sanction connected the ballot for combatant of the year. -- Hale

6. ARTUR BETERBIEV     Previous ranking: 5

RECORD: 21-1, 20 KOs
DIVISION: Light heavyweight
LAST FIGHT: L (MD12) Dmitry Bivol, Feb. 22
NEXT FIGHT: TBA

Beterbiev suffered the lone nonaccomplishment of his pro vocation successful a rematch with Dmitry Bivol connected Feb. 22 but inactive made a large relationship of himself against a chap pound-for-pound fighter. Considering the competitory quality of some fights, it makes consciousness for the Russian to clasp his spot connected the P4P list. He volition apt get a accidental to avenge the blemish successful a instrumentality bout aboriginal this year. Although helium has crossed into his 40s, Beterbiev inactive is performing astatine an elite level. -- Hale

7. SHAKUR STEVENSON     Previous ranking: 10

RECORD: 24-0, 11 KOs
DIVISION: Lightweight (champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (UD12) William Zepeda, July 12
NEXT FIGHT: TBA

Stevenson yet got the benignant of hostile fans were asking for, and erstwhile again, helium came retired connected top, adding a small much aggression to his flawless tactical style. Stevenson dominated William Zepeda connected July 12 successful New York successful an breathtaking performance. As exceptional arsenic Stevenson has been, the biggest ailment helium faces is that helium astir makes it look too casual wrong the squared ellipse and coasts to determination victories. He was expected to person his hands afloat with a high-volume puncher successful Zepeda, but helium was capable to grip everything Zepeda threw his way. Stevenson utilized a jab to the body, uppercuts and effectual operation to dilatory Zepeda down and enactment immoderate complaints astir his deficiency of discourtesy to rest. -- Hale

8. CANELO ALVAREZ     Previous ranking: 7

RECORD: 63-2-2, 39 KOs
DIVISION: Super middleweight (undisputed champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (UD12) William Scull, May 3
NEXT FIGHT: Sept. 13 vs. Terence Crawford

Boxing's biggest prima underwhelmed successful his astir caller outing against William Scull, contempt again becoming the undisputed champion astatine 168 pounds. However, Canelo needed to get that combat retired of the mode to acceptable up arguably the biggest combat of the twelvemonth erstwhile helium accepts the situation of Terence Crawford astatine Allegiant Stadium successful Las Vegas connected Sept. 12. Recent absorption aside, Canelo has amassed an fantabulous résumé and volition person a accidental to adhd different aboriginal Hall of Famer to his portfolio. -- Hale

9. DAVID BENAVIDEZ     Previous ranking: 8

RECORD: 30-0, 24 KOs
DIVISION: Light heavyweight (champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (UD12) David Morrell, Feb. 1
NEXT FIGHT: Nov. 22 vs. Anthony Yarde

For immoderate reason, cipher wants to combat Benavidez. He did everything helium needed to astatine 168 pounds but was incapable to onshore a combat with Canelo Alvarez. Now helium finds himself successful a akin presumption astatine airy heavyweight arsenic Dmitry Bivol vacated the WBC rubric truthful helium could look Beterbiev successful a rubber match, alternatively of facing Benavidez. With wins implicit Caleb Plant, Demetrius Andrade and David Morrell connected his résumé, it's lone a substance of clip until "The Mexican Monster" gets to trial himself against the biggest names successful the sport. But first, helium volition conscionable Anthony Yarde successful November. The scary happening is that helium is lone 28 and hasn't deed his carnal prime. -- Hale

10. JUNTO NAKATANI     Previous ranking: 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 combatant connected this database unified the bantamweight titles connected June 8 against IBF titleholder Ryosuke Nishida. "Big Bang" is breathtaking to ticker and has won each 5 of his bantamweight fights by knockout since making the determination from inferior bantamweight past February. An eventual blockbuster showdown with countryman Naoya Inoue appears to beryllium connected the skyline successful what would beryllium the biggest combat successful the past of Japan. -- Hale

The formula

The rankings are based connected a descending points system, with a first-place ballot awarding 10 points, a second-place ballot awarding 9 points and truthful on. A necktie goes to the combatant with the highest ranking, past the 1 with the astir votes astatine that ranking.

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 experts' poll

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)

10th place: Nakatani (4), Benavidez (3), Lopez (3), Beterbiev (2), Alvarez (2), Stevenson (1), Davis (1), Akhmadaliev (1)