MY 2018 TOP 20 POUND FOR POUND BOXERS 

Everyone and their uncle has compiled their own p4p list, and everyone’s list will contradict each others. That’s the point of sport, and these lists for that matter. They are very subjective and will always be argued. 

However, whether you agree or disagree with my list, which is inevitable in sport. This is my p4p list and I’m sticking to it. Enjoy. 

1. TERENCE CRAWFORD (Light Welterweight) 
32W 0L 23KO

I don’t care what anyone says, when you make 21st century boxing history to become only the fourth boxer in history to unify a division and hold all four belts. Then in my book, you deserve to be in the No1 spot. I understand the issue about the quality in the division, or even other boxers not getting unification fights, but that is not Crawford’s concern. There are issues in every weight and it is what it is. In terms of ability, Crawford seems to improve with every fight. The bigger the fight, the better he seems to perform. Switch hitting, slick movement, power in both hands and accuracy. He can box when required and brawl when needs be. At 30 he’s in his prime and is now moving up to welterweight, where there will be some real mega fights to test his considerably abilities. 

Notable wins: Gamboa ko9. Beltran UD. Postol UD. Indongo ko3

2. GENNADY GOLOVKIN (Middleweight) 
37W 0L 1D 33KO

He is many peoples no1. I understand that, as he’s largely been untroubled in his 38 fights and more or less destroyed everyone. His only blot on his record is the recent draw with Canelo, where I thought he was robbed and won clearly. That was meant to be the super fight to really see what he had and in my eyes, he controlled the pace and was never really in any trouble. However, I thought he lost to Jacobs, just. That said, he is an absolute machine and has walked through fighters with scary power in both hands. Also has underrated movement, especially the way he walks fighters down and cuts off the ring. However, at 35, is not getting any younger and needs 2/3 more massive wins to cement his legacy. 

Notable wins Stevens RTD8. Geale tko3. Lemieux TKO8. Jacobs UD

3. VASYL LOMACHENKO (Super Featherweight) 
10W 1L 8KO

He is almost everyone’s favourite to be the future undisputed p4p no1. However, right now I would generally not have placed him so high due to his the low number of professional fights. That said, when you have retired your last four opponents. Done it with style and made it look easy. Then I really had no option. His movement is almost mesmeric and have bamboozled opponents. He is a highly intelligent boxer, who does not waste shots and is extremely efficient and accurate. To think he has only had 10 pro fights and will inevitably get even better, is a really scary thought. At the moment you are struggling to find a real test for him unless he moves up a few weights. 

Notable wins: Russell Jr MD. Martinez KO5. Walters RTD7. Rigondeaux RTD6

4. SAUL ALVAREZ (Middleweight) 
49W 1L 2D 34KO

I did toil a while about his positioning on this list. Although it was no shame to lose to Mayweather as everyone has, he did get badly outclassed. He was extremely fortunate to get a draw from the Golovkin fight, as I thought he clearly lost. With that said, he has fought a whose who in the boxing world and come out relatively unscathed. With some highlight reel knockouts and character building points victories. Strong and powerful with a good boxing IQ. Can finish a fight to the head or the body. A real athlete and a three-time, two weight champion. Has seemed to be around forever with over 50 fights, but amazingly still only 27, which is scary. 

Notable Wins: Mosley UD. Lara SD. Kirkland KO3. Cotto UD. 

5. MIKEY GARCIA (Light Welterweight) 
37W 0L 30KO

Some may raise eyebrows at this placing, but I rate him that highly. Still don’t think he has been fully tested and showed his full credentials in the ring yet. Garcia’s a slick, intelligent boxer with fluid movement, a versatile array of shots and deceiving power. He walked away from the sport unbeaten in 34 fights and a super featherweight champion, due to not being motivated. After two years out, came right back, moved up and won the lightweight belt. Has since move up to light welterweight and beat Broner with ease. Will now fight for world light welterweight title and try to become a four weight world champion. 

Notable Wins: Salido TD9. Martinez KO8. Zlaticanin KO3. Broner UD. 

6. KEITH THURMAN (Welterweight) 
28W 0L 1NC 22KO

This maybe another that people may raise eyebrows at, but to me there is no doubt he has been the man at welterweight for the last few years. His recent injury has set him back slightly, but before that, he was making his way though the welterweight division, racking up wins and taking names. He’s deceivingly strong, can box or slug it out and more recently, in his last few wins, he has shown, although questions may remain, that he does have an engine and can perform for 12 rounds. The 29-year-old is now looking for those real mega fights to cement his legacy in this division. 

Notable Wins: Guerrero UD. Collazo RTD 7. Porter UD. Garcia SD. 

7. ERROL SPENCE JR (Welterweight) 
22W 0L 19KO

At 27, he is now approaching his prime and certainly is starting to show it. He has now stopped his last 10 opponents. Oozes class. I think he’s one of the most skilful boxers out here and is definitely still improving. Possesses some lethal, accurate and hurtful body shots. Can also fight up close and can mix it up if needs be. The quality of opponent maybe something many people may question, but he has dispatched these said opponents in a more impressive fashion than other big named boxers before him. A big unification showdown with Keith Thurman is inevitable and needed to see who the king of the division is. 

Notable Wins: Vargas TKO4. Algieri TKO5. Bundu KO6. Brook KO11. 

8. NAOYA INOUE (Super Flyweight)
15W 0L 13KO

I must say, I have my reservations at putting him this high. The issue is, apart from the fact that he’s had only 15 fights and all but one of those were in Japan, against not widely known opponents. It’s really hard to gauge just how good he is. However, still only 24, with years to develop. From what I have seen so far, he has been highly impressive and down right scary. He has a perfect blend of slick movement and devastating power. Has been a real killer in his short pro career with nobody getting remotely close to him thus far. But it is early days. With that said, he is already a two weight world champion and it tells you all you need to know that his nickname is “the monster”. 

Notable Wins: Taguchi UD10. Narvaez KO2. Nieves RTD 6. Boyeaux TKO3.

9. SRISAKET SOR RUNGVISAI (Super Flyweight) 
44W 4L 1D 40KO

With 44 wins and 40 ko’s from 49 fights. He has certainly put in work, although a lot on his record are unknown, hardly top-level fighters. However, his record looks even better when you see after his first five fights, his record was 1w 1d 3L. He burst onto the scene by dethroning Roman Gonzalez, who was widely known as one of the p4p best boxers. Though it was only Gonzalez’s second fight at the weight, he was still the champion and expected to win. But Rungvisai went to war with him, showed heart and boxing ability to win the belt. It was even more impressive to know that it was his first scheduled 12 round fight in two years and the first time in his career he went 12 rounds. To show it was no fluke. In the rematch he destroyed Gonzalez with a devastating knockout in 4 rounds.

Notable Wins: Makai TKO9. Salgado TKO4. Gonzalez MD. Gonzalez KO4. 

10. GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX (Super Bantamweight) 
17W 1L 0D 1NC 11KO

I know due to the manner of the defeat to Lomachenko, he would not be in many people’s top ten. I get that. But at the end of the day, he did move up two weights to fight a man who is considered the future p4p no1. And although it looked like he quit and was clearly losing, he wasn’t getting destroyed or battered. I think it was a case of Loma being just to big and too good. I still think Rigondeaux will give many other super featherweights big trouble, not to mention featherweights. His technical, defensive style, with the ability to explode with power is still the most feared in the super bantamweight division, where he is unmatched and untouched. I feel he just needs to get right back on the horse and remind people of this. The defeat to Loma may now allow him to make other big fights he craves.

Notable Wins: Cardoba SD. Kennedy TKO5. Ramos KO6. Donaire UD

11. ANTHONY JOSHUA (Heavyweight) 
20W 0L 20KO

I am surprised he is not this high on many other lists. His record speaks for itself. I think his boxing ability and fighting IQ is underrated. Possibly, after winning Olympic gold, he was fast tracked through the division, but his performances have justified that privilege. You can’t really argue with him stopping all 20 of his opponents, especially when you look at the calibre of his last five opponents. I challenge you to look at any heavyweight past or present, match there 15th to 20th opponents and see if any of them match up to Joshua’s. 

Notable Wins: Whyte KO7. Martin KO2. Breazeale TKO7. Klitschko TKO11. 

12. DEONTAY WILDER (Heavyweight) 
39W 0L 38KO

The only reason why he is one position lower than Joshua is due the opponents on his record. Really and truly, I can’t split them, but for the sake of this list, the deciding factor was their records and opponents. With that said, there is no denying Wilder is a devastating and concussive puncher. Extremely strong, but also very agile for his weight and size. However unorthodox he is, I think it works in his favour, as he’s unpredictable and this manoeuvres fighters in positions where they are walking onto his very heavy shots. His upcoming fight with Ortiz will be real test of strength and power. 

Notable Wins: Stiverne UD. Arreola RTD8. Washington TKO5. Stiverne KO1

13. SERGEY KOVALEV (Light Heavyweight) 
31W 2L 1D 27KO

Some might scoff at how low he is on this list and may have him in their top ten at the expense of Rigo. However, although the crusher’s been dominant in his division, beating a few decent names. In my opinion, when he did come up against some real quality, albeit the best p4p fighter at the time, he came a cropper, twice. In the first fight he dropped Ward early and was winning, then got outfoxed and outboxed to what some say was a controversial defeat, I beg to differ. In the rematch, he vowed to make it conclusive, but he got outfought, in what some may also say was a controversial stoppage defeat, I again beg to differ. Nevertheless. With Ward gone, he is back to crushing all in the division. However, a mega unification bout with Stevenson is badly needed for his legacy. 

Notable Wins: Cleverly TKO4. Hopkins UD. Pascal TKO8. Pascal RTD7.

14. DANNY GARCIA (Welterweight)
33W 1L 19KO

As limited and left hook happy as he is, he has gone far with that style and that’s partly the reason he is up here. He has somewhat been forgotten after his defeat. But that was his only loss and it was a split decision to Thurman, the man who is widely renowned as the best in the division. That was also only his 4th fight at the weight after being at light welterweight for most of his career. He is a two weight world champion, after moving up to win a welterweight title in his second fight at the weight and has a whose, who of wins on his record. Skill wise, he has a very good Jab and a juggernaut of a left hook that still makes him a very dangerous prospect. 

Notable Wins: Khan TKO4. Morales TKO 4. Peterson MD. Malignaggi TKO9. 

15. BILLY JOE SANDERS (Middleweight) 
26W 0L 12KO

I think this is probably my biggest reach on this list and I even surprised myself with this inclusion. I must say, I have never been a big BJS fan. Although I still respected him as a decent boxer. But always thought he was punching above his station. However, after his last bout with Lemieux, he has really gone up in my estimation. I think a light has really switched on in him. It wasn’t so much the opponent, though Lemieux is a very credible one, but the manor of the performance. BJS showed some superb boxing ability and skill I never knew or thought he possessed. He made a very decent boxer look a novice. Not many boxers can do this, and to possess that quality, has to be recognised. It almost made his other wins look like he was holding back and he had more in his locker all the while. 

Natalie Wins: O’Sullivan UD. Eubank Jr SD. Lee. MD. Lemieux UD. 

16. ERISLANDY LARA (Light Middleweight) 
25W 2L 2D 14KO

Another name who may raise a few eyebrows. I think his style, due to it not being the most exciting and swashbuckling, hurts him a lot in terms of being fan friendly and getting the respect he deserves. Also due to the fact that he is awkward, hard to hit, defensively sound with deceiving power. It’s hard for him to secure the fights he wants. He has been a world champion since 2014 and promoted to the super champ in 2016. His only defeats was a majority loss to Paul Williams in 2011. Then a split decision to loss to Canelo where he gave Canelo all sorts of problems, especially early in the fight. That is a big factor why he struggles to get mega fights but also why he is on this list. 

Notable Wins: Angulo TKO10. Trout UD. Rodriguez UD. Foreman KO4

17. JORGE LINARES (Lightweight)
43W 3L 27KO

This experienced Mexican epitomises the Mexican style. Maybe a little too often in wars. But he is all heart, determination and brute force, yet has great boxing ability and skill within the confines of that, along with ring generalship and a great engine. Vastly experienced. He’s is a four-time world champion in three weight classes. Has not lost since back to back defeats at the end of 2011 and beginning of 2012. He can absorb punches and tends to come on strong as the fight goes on. Is also not afraid to travel to fight and has won fights in Mexico. Panama. Argentina. Japan. Venezuela. England and America.

Notable Wins: Juarez UD. Mitchell TKO10 Crolla UD. Campbell SD. 

18. LEO SANTA CRUZ (Featherweight)
36W 1L 1D 19KO

Another Mexican who is a four-time world champion at three weight classes. Moved up from bantamweight and really made a name for himself as a brutal inside boxer, who throws a flurry of punches, including some crippling body shots. Known for biting down on the gum shield, really laying it all on the line and going to war. Has refined that style slightly, and had to, over the years, but still has that hard, brawl like mentality and a superb engine tank. 

Notable Wins: Mares MD. Martinez TKO5. Frampton MD. Avalos KO8

19. CARL FRAMPTON (Featherweight) 
25W 1L 14KO

The pride of Ireland is a genuine superstar is those parts and Britain. A two weight world champion, known for his slick boxing and accurate shots. More of an intelligent boxer, with a vast array of punches, he can pick a shot and take his opponents apart with a combination of accuracy and power. His two fights against Santa Cruz were tough, bruising encounters, where he never really improved from their first fight, where as Santa Cruz did, that’s why he’s a place below. However, as the younger man, a rubber match could be necessary for his legacy, providing he gets past Donaire.  

Notable Wins. Molitor TKO6. Martinez TKO9. Quigg SD. Santa Cruz MD.

20. ANDONIS STEVENSON (Light Heavyweight) 
29W 1L 29KO

Many may make the misconception that Stevenson is just all power. That’s far from the truth. Don’t get me wrong, his punching power is what defines him, but he is also all energy and has underrated movement that sets up his opponents for those power shots that works so effectively. Has been a world champion since 2013 and has toppled some very decent names. However, in a division that is not overflowing with talent, you can’t help thinking he needs a Kovalev to really legitimise his legacy with a real defining fight/win.  

Notable Wins: Dawson TKO1. Cloud RTD7. Bellew TKO6. Fonfara TKO2. 

Special Mentions….

DANNY JACOBS (Super Middleweight)
33W 2L 29KO
ROMAN GONZALEZ (Super Flyweight) 
48W 2L 38KO
DONNIE NEITES (Flyweight) 
40W 1L 22KO
JUAN ESTRADA (Super Flyweight)
36W 2L 25KO
OLEKSANDR USYK (Cruiserweight)
13W 0L 11KO