Top Boxers: The Top Three in the World

The announcement will come as a stunner to many and will set alarm bells ringing for current promoters such as Eddie Hearn, Frank Warren, and Oscar De La Hoya. Their fighters have dominated the rankings in recent years, and the thought of them moving to a rival promotion would be catastrophic. But which fighters specifically have shone the brightest in recent years?

Oleksandr Usyk

It's hard to argue with the fact that Ukrainian technician Oleksandr Usyk is the finest boxer on the planet at present. Throughout his professional career, he has cleaned out not one but two divisions. He firstly became the Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion courtesy of victories against the likes of Mairis Breidis and Murat Gassiev before defending the gold in a barnstorming affair against Britain's Tony Bellew.

But it's his exploits at heavyweight that will send him down in history as one of the all-time greats. Usyk moved up in weight when the heavyweight division was dominated by three kings, namely Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Deontay Wilder. While Fury took care of business with American knockout artist Wilder, Usyk managed to usurp the fearsome AJ, beating him in back-to-back fights to become the unified champion.

All that remained in the bid to become undisputed was Fury's WBC title. That was duly claimed back in May of last year with a razor-thin split decision victory, becoming the first man to hold all the titles since Lennox Lewis over two decades prior. He then put to bed any lingering doubts by defeating the Gypsy King in an immediate rematch, putting on a masterful display in December to secure a deserved unanimous decision and seal his spot as the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.

Naoya Inoue

Japanese sensation Naoya Inoue follows in the footsteps of the aforementioned Usyk in that he too has been undisputed champion in two weight divisions. Overall, he is a four weight world champion, and with a fearsome record of 29 victories with 26 knockouts and no defeat, it's hard to argue his place as one of the finest fighters on the planet.

He won his first world title in just his sixth professional fight with a knockout of Adrian Hernandez in 2014. That victory came in the light flyweight division, and further gold adorned his waist as a junior bantamweight as well. But it was in the bantamweight division where his brilliance became unquestioned. He won the World Boxing Super Series in the division, beating veteran Nonito Donaire in the finals and ending the Filipino Flash's hopes of a late-career renaissance.

Since then, he has moved up to super bantamweight, and once more, dominance has followed. He knocked out American Stephen Fulton in July 2023 to claim the WBC and WBO titles before adding the WBA and IBF straps with a knockout of Marlon Tapales five months later.

He remains the undisputed champion to this day, and the sportsbook providers can't see him surrendering his gold anytime soon. The latest odds from Thunderpick Sportsbook make Inoue a whopping 1/100 favorite to defend the gold against Ramon Cardenes in his title defense in May. Expect him to dominate once more before considering a move up in weight.

Terence Crawford

Nebraska's Terence Crawford is another who managed to successfully reign over two divisions. He beat light welterweights such as Scotland's Ricky Burns, Viktor Postol, and Julius Indongo to become the undisputed king at 140 pounds. He then went up in weight to 147, and duly set about his work.

British former champions Amir Khan and Kell Brook were both dispatched in emphatic fashion, as was America's Shawn Porter. That set up a tantalizing clash for all the gold between Crawford and compatriot Errol Spence Jr, with a potential bout between the two becoming the most talked about in boxing.

A deal between the pair took a while to be agreed, but once it was, Bud left no doubts as to who the main man was. He obliterated his younger opponent, dropping him three times en route to a resounding ninth-round knockout victory back in July 2023. He has fought just once since, but now he is gunning for more gold in yet another division.

A unanimous decision over Israil Madrimov last summer secured the WBA and WBO (interim) light middleweight titles, and he is primed and ready to clear out a third division before his career winds down.

All-Time Greats

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali is widely considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. With a record of 56-5, Ali won the heavyweight title three times and had a successful amateur career, winning a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics. Known for his quickness, footwork, and powerful punches, Ali was as much a showman outside the ring as he was a formidable opponent inside it. His charismatic personality and social activism made him a global icon, transcending the sport of boxing. Ali was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest athletes in history.

Joe Louis

Joe Louis, known as the “Brown Bomber,” was a dominant force in the heavyweight division during the 1930s and 1940s. With an impressive record of 66-3, Louis won the heavyweight title in 1937 and held it for an unprecedented 11 years, defending it 25 times. His powerful punches and aggressive fighting style made him a feared opponent in the ring. Beyond his athletic prowess, Louis was a trailblazer for African American boxers, breaking down racial barriers and becoming a symbol of hope and pride. Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1954, Joe Louis remains one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time.

Conclusion

Boxing has a storied history filled with legendary fighters who have left an indelible mark on the sport. From the technical brilliance of Oleksandr Usyk and Naoya Inoue's dominance across multiple weight classes to Terence Crawford's undeniable skill and determination, today's top boxers continue to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide. These modern fighters, alongside all-time greats like Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis, have shaped boxing into the thrilling spectacle it is today.

As Muhammad Ali once said, "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee," capturing the essence of boxing's blend of grace and power. Similarly, Joe Louis reflected on the sport's challenges and triumphs with his famous words, "Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die," highlighting the sacrifices and dedication required to reach the pinnacle of boxing.

These quotes, much like the fighters themselves, serve as a testament to the enduring allure and impact of boxing, a sport that continues to evolve and inspire future generations of champions.

Boxing workouts offer an incredible opportunity for young people to cultivate discipline, build confidence, and improve physical fitness. As you step into the ring, remember that every jab, hook, and uppercut is a step toward becoming stronger, both mentally and physically. Embrace the challenge, and let boxing be the path that shapes you into a resilient and empowered individual. As the great Muhammad Ali once said, "Don't count the days; make the days count." Let this be your mantra as you embark on your boxing journey.