Boxing’s Best P4P in a Snapshot in Time

These days, more and more people seem to be living in the moment and that might be especially appropriate for boxing fans. Any list of so-called “best” fighters might have looked a certain way last week and then change tomorrow. However, today it just might look like this:

1. Vasiliy “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko. Lightweight 11-1-0 (9 KOs): Lomachenko is an improved version of Floyd Mayweather Jr. He trains uniquely and does things in the ring seldom seen before. That’s why his nickname is “Hi-Tech.” Said Loma recently, “My father explained to me that money can end tomorrow, but with history they will not forget you. That’s why, for me, boxing is a sport and not a business.

2. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Middleweight 50-1-2 (34 KOs): A grizzled veteran at a young age who does it all. His two close matches with Gennady Golovkin answered many questions, especially about his chin. And with his latest financial deal, he can afford all of the Kobe beef he wants.

3. Terence “Bud” Crawford Jr. Welterweight 33-0-0 (24 KOs): Moving up quickly with spectacular and dramatic knockouts, he has an uncanny ability to read his opponent, adjust if required, and then take control of the fight. Many think he should be number one on the lists of best boxers.

4. Gennady “GGG” Golovkin. Middleweight 38-1-1 (34 KOs): He came this close to beating Canelo twice, but must now step it up because his aura of invincibility has been pierced and Father Time lurks. A rematch with Daniel Jacobs would tell us all we need to know.

5. Oleksandr Usyk. Cruiserweight 15-0-0 (11 KOs): Still another outstanding Ukrainian fighter with superb technical skills, but are they enough to allow him to compete with the heavyweights? The fact that Usyk as an amateur won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics, as well as bronze and gold at the 2009 and 2011 World Championships, all in the heavyweight division, suggests that they might be.

6. Mikey Garcia. Lightweight 39-0-0 (30 KOs): The complete package and quintessential boxer/puncher who relies on a mastery of the fundamentals to win and win and win. However, he must be careful of that dangerous inflection point where more money meets the risk of moving up in weight class.

7. Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. Welterweight 24-0-0 (21 KOs): Like Crawford, he has a mean streak once the bell rings and will beat his opponent’s body until he can close matters. He has remarkable athletic skills but his level of opposition seems to be a bit out of sync with the high praise. Time will tell sooner rather than later, but he is a heavy load.

8. Naoya “Monster” Inoue. Bantamweight 16-0-0 (14 KOs): His nickname says it all. He really is a “monster.” A mini-Godzilla who ends fights upstairs and downstairs in highlight reel fashion. Kalle Sauerland, the German promoter, says, “I’m convinced he’s not only the number one power puncher in Japan, Asia or America, he’s the best on the planet”. That’s why he needs to showcase his stuff outside of Japan more often.

9. Anthony “AJ” Joshua. Heavyweight 21-0-0 (20 KOs): Best of the big guys who exploits his opponents weaknesses and then closes like a thunder clap. He defends with aplomb and hits with asunder. He also holds three of the four major world heavyweight championship belts. To their credit, others are sorting things out by fighting each other in order to get a chance to fight AJ before 90,000 plus rabid fans at Wembley. AJ is an “event fighter.” When he fights, it’s a major event in the UK—and possibly even an opportunity for his opponents to earn an early retirement payday.

10. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. Junior Bantamweight 47-4-1 (41 KOs): The new “kid” on the block who gives every indication of sticking around for a while. He has won twenty straight and forty-six of his last forty-seven. He has duked in Japan (where he suffered three of his four defeats in the beginning of his career), Mexico, New York City, and Los Angeles. Look for this Thai to gain gravitas and big paydays as he beats more name opponents.

Lists, by their very nature, are always subject to criticism and attack and this one is probably no exception. Manny Pacquiao fans will ask why he is not on the list and so will those who follow Russians Artur Beterbiev and Dimitry Bivol  Ukrainian fans—at the risk of becoming somewhat greedy– will want more representation in the form of the “Nail,” Oleksandr Gvozdyk, but first he must hammer dangerous Adonis Stevenson in December. Miguel Berchelt and Rey Vargas have Mexican aficionados cheering as does Leo Santa Cruz, while Carl Frampton gets raves in Ireland. Daniel Jacobs, Gervonta Davis, Jermell Charlo, Demetrius Andrade, and Keith Thurman have Americans piqued with interest and Callum Smith has suddenly hit the scene. Isaac Dogboe is the latest Ghanaian to attract notice. Finally, Thai minimum weight Wanheng Menayothin is 51-0 but he has not fought anyone of note.  And oh, yes, Deontay Wilder is not exactly of the P4P type but his awkward style and incredible power could allow him to be on top of his own list.

Ted Sares is one of the world’s oldest active full power lifters and Strongman competitors. He is a member of Ring 10, and Ring 4’s Boxing Hall of Fame. He also is an Auxiliary Member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA).

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