Two elite boxers among the top five in Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound rankings competed within a two-day span last week. On May 4 in Las Vegas, Canelo Alvarez defended his super middleweight title with a dominant victory over Jaime Munguia, while Naoya Inoue also defended his junior featherweight title with a sixth-round knockout win against Luis Nery, bouncing back from an early knockdown.
Inoue’s commanding performance sparked discussions about his rise in the pound-for-pound rankings, with many suggesting he should surpass the current No. 1 fighter, Terence Crawford. Ultimately, a majority of the panelists agreed on elevating Inoue to the top spot due to his impressive track record, high-caliber opponents, and versatile skills.
After much debate, Inoue has reclaimed the No. 1 position in Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound rankings, while Alvarez holds steady at No. 4. The panel also made adjustments to the rankings across different weight divisions based on recent fights and performances. Inoue’s remarkable victory against Nery has solidified his status as the top pound-for-pound boxer at this moment.
