IT IS hard to argue there is a more gifted boxer on the planet than Vasiliy Lomachenko.
And for this reason boxing bible Ring Magazine – among many others – rank the Ukrainian as the current pound-for-pound king.
But it has been a disputed crown ever since the retirement of Floyd Mayweather, whose unbeaten career guided him to the top of any subjective ‘P4P’ list.
Fellow unbeaten American Andre Ward momentarily took over the reigns after Mayweather retired in 2015 – but the 32-0, two-weight world champion also bowed out in 2017.
Meaning there is still a battle between boxing’s elite to earn a spot as a ‘pound-for-pound’ contender.
Here is Ring Magazine’s top ten boxers.
1. Vasiliy Lomachenko
Having left the amateur game with a record of 396-1 – with the one loss to Albert Selimov later avenged – the simple question was could the boxing maestro transcend his skill-set to 12-rounds.
An early loss to Orlando Salido – for the WBO featherweight title in Lomachenko’s second pro fight – was a clear reminder that the unpaid ranks are a completely different game.
But after being roughed up and out-muscled by a veteran and overweight Salido, Loma has not suffered a blip since, becoming the quickest three-weight world champion.
In just 14 fights the 31-year-old has won four world titles and earned scalps such as Gary Russell Jr, Guillermo Rigondeaux, and Jorge Linares.
With matrix-esque footwork, dazzling punch combinations and perfect timing, the natural featherweight could potentially only be beaten again through sheer size and strength.
Linares, who dropped Loma before being stopped in round 10, proved the Ukrainian can be out-punched at range by a bigger man – though his ability to glide into distance and effortlessly land punches could see him topple any bigger opponent.
2. Terence Crawford – 35–0 (26 KO)
Possibly the best switch-hitter in the game right now, Crawford has the ability to overwhelm any foe with his combination punching which are varied in levels.
The American has great balance allowing him to work as a counter-puncher – as Julius Indongo knows – though he is equally as deadly as an aggressive box-puncher, which often comes out in the later rounds.
Crawford has won world titles at lightweight, super-lightweight and currently reigns as WBO welterweight king – having held undisputed gold at 140lbs.
His boxing skills are undeniable, and his collection of multiple-weight belts mean “Bud” deserves to be recognised as one of the world’s best.
Though unlike others on this list, Crawford is yet to beat a high-profile name which could transcend his notoriety – but that could change if he secures a welterweight unification bout.
3. Canelo Alvarez – 52–1–2 (35 KO)
Mexican hero Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has quickly taken over as boxing’s biggest star since former foe Mayweather walked away from the sport.
With only a sole loss – to Mayweather in 2013 aged 23 – Canelo has gone onto rule the super-welterweight and middleweight divisions as well as winning a world title at super-middleweight.
The electric combination punching and chin of the Mexican has seen him stand toe-to-toe with the elite, and come out on top.
However, a controversial draw and contentious win against rival Gennady Golovkin had doubters questioning Canelo’s invincibility with a trilogy bout yet to take place.
But the 28-year-old has since eyed a step up to light-heavyweight to become a four-weight world title – which could see him top any P4P list – which could also be achieved by becoming undisputed middleweight king.
4. Naoya Inoue – 18–0 (16 KO)
A monstrous puncher, Inoue is working his way up the divisions and remaining the most powerful man in the ring.
Having began his career at 108 lbs the Japanese banger went onto claim titles at super-flyweight, junior-bantamweight champion and bantamweight.
Unbeaten Inoue has recently dared to call out Lomachenko to a bout at featherweight – having scored 16 KOs in his 18 wins.
The heavy-handed 26-year-old has flown under the radar having campaigned at the lighter weights, but meets ex-four weight world champ Nonito Donaire in the World Boxing Super Series final.
A win against the Filipino could again draw eyes to Inoue’s devastating power, which may motivate him to copy Lomachenko and move up the weights in search of the greater challenges.
5. Oleksandr Usyk – 16–0 (12 KO)
Usyk reigned as undisputed cruiserweight king having won the WBSS – which involved all the divisions belts.
His nimble footwork, consistent punching rate and heavy hands made him no match for anyone at 200lbs – with his most high-profile win coming against Tony Bellew in Manchester.
The Ukrainian maestro has since moved up to heavyweight but his debut was pushed back to October having suffered a shoulder injury.
Usyk’s elusiveness and punch power has many wondering if he could box his way to heavyweight supremacy.
But despite fighting at heavyweight in the World Series of Boxing – a hybrid amateur tournament using pro rules – the 32-year-old’s frame is yet to be tested against the divisions big hitters.
6. Errol Spence Jr – 25–0 (21 KO)
Former sparring partner of Mayweather, Spence’s punch volume, body attacks and balance give him the tools to rule the welterweight division.
He has also been slated to move up the weights – having dwarfed many of his opponents at 147lbs – which could put his name among boxing legends.
Spence’s body punching is only matched by KO king Inoue, and his relentless pressure was on show against Kell Brook in Sheffield three years ago.
But after defending his IBF title against ex-lightweight king Mikey Garcia, ‘The Truth’ also showed his boxing skills, opposed to his strength and power.
The winner between welterweight champs Spence and Crawford – one of the greatest fights boxing has to offer currently – would catapult them up the P4P rankings.
7. Gennady Golovkin – 39–1–1 (35 KO)
Failing to get the decision against Canelo in 2017 and then 2018 has cost Golovkin a spot in the second half of this list.
Having possibly outworked the Mexican in the first fight, Alvarez was more active in the return which rightly or wrongly, cost the Kazakh his belts.
But Golovkin, at age 37, is still one of the best boxing has to offer and will get the chance to win back the IBF title stripped of Canelo this year when he faces Sergiy Derevyanchenko in October.
With Canelo looking to achieve Golovkin’s dream of middleweight unification first, a trilogy bout can’t be ruled out.
A win for the veteran middleweight could see him regain his position as a P4P star.
8. Juan Francisco Estrada – 39–3–1 (26 KO)
The Mexican rose to fame after avenging his defeat to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai – the man who dethroned super-flyweight king Roman Gonzalez.
It came after Estrada reigned as unified flyweight world champion having beaten Brian Viloria.
The 29-year-old then moved up to super-fly and scored an upset win over underdog hero Rungvisai.
@wbcboxing @ringtv9. Mikey Garcia – 39–1 (30 KO)
Four-weight world champion Garcia was knocking on the door of greatness after capturing the IBF super-lightweight title with victory over Sergey Lipinets in 2018.
Having first captured gold at featherweight, the Mexican-American worked his way to lightweight unification after holding a belt at super-feather.
But a move up to welterweight this year to challenge heavy-handed IBF champion Spence proved too much for 31-year-old.
A fifth weight class seemed a step too much as Garcia was outworked and outmuscled in March and subsequently lost his unbeaten record and also his place as P4P contender.
Despite still reigning as Lineal super-lightweight champion, the Californian insists at staying at 147lbs and chasing the big fights.
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10. Manny Pacquiao – 62–7–2 (39 KO)
The Filipino great looked to have lost his status as one of the world’s best after a shock loss to Australian Jeff Horn in 2017.
But a resilient Pacquiao scored a first KO in 11-years in his next fight, against Lucas Matthysse, before high-profile wins against Americans Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman this year – the latter for the WBA welterweight crown.
In his storied 24-year career PacMan has ruled eight-weight divisions beginning his career at flyweight (112lbs) and going onto win titles at every weight up until welterweight (147lbs).
The 40-year-old has had epic wins against Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosely and Oscar De La Hoya.
But his return to world champion in 2019 has rightfully earned his spot back amongst boxing’s current elite crop.
