Sherdog Boxing’s Pound-for-Pound & Divisional Rankings: October 2015

---

It’s been another wild month of fisticuffs and almost every weight division in the Sweet Science had a shake-up or two since our inaugural divisional rankings came out in September.

For starters, pound-for-pound king and future Hall of Famer Floyd Mayweather Jr. officially announced his retirement. Though many involved in the sport believe “Money” will fight again, that doesn’t ignore the fact that he has walked away. That automatically removes him from the top perch on the P4P list as well as the highest position at welterweight.

The exit of Mayweather, along with several fighters being inactive for over a year, has caused plenty of changes in where the best boxers in the world stack up. How does your list compare?

The Sherdog boxing rankings voting committee: Andreas Hale, Connor Ruebusch, Ian Robinson, Brian Knapp, Gary Randall, Jordan Breen, Joseph Santoliquito, Mike Fridley, Mike Sloan.

POUND-FOR-POUND

1.Sergey Kovalev (28-0-2, 25 KOs)

“Krusher” has lived up to that nickname in the ring, crushing everybody he has faced. The Russian knockout artist is playing the waiting game for a unification fight with Adonis Stevenson. According to Main Events, his promotion company, he’s looking for a fight in Russia.

2. Roman Gonzalez (43-0, 37 KOs)

Gonzalez takes the No. 2 spot, upon Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s announced retirement. “Chocolatito” has finally been exposed to American fight fans, and they want to see more of this explosive Nicaraguan. He is slated to face former world champion Brian Viloria on October 17, on the Gennady Golovkin-David Lemieux undercard at Madison Square Garden.

3. Andre Ward (28-0, 15 KOs)

Ward was on the precipice of taking over the boxing world, but injuries and contract disputes derailed him for much of the past three years. He finally returned in June and trounced the overmatched Paul Smith, but, as has been the norm lately, it is not 100 percent certain when “S.O.G.” will fight next.

4. Gennady Golovkin (33-0, 30 KOs)

Arguably the most exciting fighter in the world, “GGG” has been flattening everyone. He claims he wants to fight only the best now, a refreshing turn when you consider he hasn’t fought anyone that could truly challenge him—yet. He is set to face another upper-echelon opponent in David Lemieux on October 17. It could be the toughest test of his career.

5. Guillermo Rigondeaux (15-0, 10 KOs)

It has been almost nine months since the Cuban star last stepped into the ring, and Rigondeaux does not have a fight lined up at the moment. Hopefully, that will change soon because he possesses some the best pure boxing skills in the world.

6. Wladimir Klitschko (64-3, 53 KOs)

Klitschko is without equal at heavyweight, but he’s a victim of something that he can’t control—and that’s a lack of competition. It seems likely that his career is winding down, but for now, he does not appear to be in any danger of losing his undisputed title anytime soon. Recovered from an injured calf muscle, Klitschko will face Tyson Fury in their Oct. 24 rescheduled bout, now onNov. 28 at Esprit Arena in Duesseldorf, Germany.

7. Manny Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs)

Pacquiao lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in convincing fashion in May and will not return to the ring until 2016. Promoter Bob Arum said the Filipino superstar will have one more fight before retiring.

8. Timothy Bradley (32-1-1, 12 KOs)

Bradley was in danger of falling off the pound-for-pound list completely when he went winless in two fights since defeating Juan Manuel Marquez. He was lucky to escape a last-minute flurry from Jessie Vargas in June, as Bradley was almost knocked out in the waning moments of a fight he was dominating. He has a big date with Brandon Rios on Nov. 7.

9. Terence Crawford (26-0, 18 KOs)

Crawford has been sensational so far, and he is set to defend his WBO junior welterweight title against Dierry Jean on Oct. 24. Should he get past Jean, let us hope he targets the rest of the best from this point forward.

10. Miguel Cotto (40-4, 33 KOs)

Cotto dispatched a game, though overmatched Daniel Geale on June 6, in his first defense of the WBC middleweight title. He looks reborn training under Hall of Famer Freddie Roach. We’ll see how resurrected he is when he faces Canelo Alvarez on Nov. 21 in what could determine who the Fighter of the Year is.

Other Contenders: Saul Alvarez, Kell Brook, Carl Froch, Danny Garcia, Keith Thurman

Notes: Mayweather is out, which totally shakes up the rankings. Many outlets have “Chocolatito” at the #1 spot but the fact is, he hasn’t taken on the level of competition that “Krusher” has. With that said, Kovalev moves to the top. Cotto comes off the bubble to #10

Finish Reading » Boxing Divisional Rankings