Terence Crawford's Dominant Victory Over Errol Spence Jr Solidifies His Spot as the Best Boxer in the World

In a year filled with incredible boxing moments, Terence Crawford's victory over long-time rival Errol Spence Jr stood out as a defining moment in his career. The 36-year-old fighter's dominant performance over nine rounds to capture all four welterweight titles cemented his place as the pound-for-pound king. While Naoya Inoue poses a strong case to rival Crawford, the Japanese star lacks a marquee victory that would put him at the top of the list.

Naoya Inoue and Oleksandr Usyk Trail Behind Crawford as Top Contenders

With 26 wins and 23 knockouts, Naoya Inoue is undeniably one of the most exciting fighters in the world. His belts in four divisions make him a fierce rival to Crawford's throne. However, Inoue's lack of a win over another pound-for-pound contender prevents him from claiming the top spot. Meanwhile, Oleksandr Usyk's reign as an undisputed champion at cruiserweight and his upcoming fight against Tyson Fury put him in the conversation as a serious threat to Crawford's legacy.

Devin Haney and Canelo Alvarez Make Their Mark in the Top Five

Devin Haney's impressive victories over Vasiliy Lomachenko and Regis Prograis in 2023 earned him the title of Fighter of the Year. Haney's retention of his undisputed lightweight crown and his subsequent win for the WBC belt solidified his place among the top fighters in the world. As for Canelo Alvarez, his defeat to Dmitry Bivol raised questions about his standing. However, his return to super-middleweight and victories over John Ryder and Jermell Charlo prove that Canelo is still a force to be reckoned with in the boxing world.

The Rest of the Pound-for-Pound Rankings

The remaining spots in SunSport's top ten pound-for-pound rankings are filled by Dmitry Bivol, Artur Beterbiev, Shakur Stevenson, Tyson Fury, and Anthony Joshua. Each fighter brings their own unique skills and accomplishments to the table, making them worthy contenders for the title of the best boxer in the world.

While Bivol's year was relatively quiet with just one fight, a routine points win over Lyndon Arthur, his upcoming undisputed super-fight against Artur Beterbiev could catapult him to the top. Beterbiev's 100% KO ratio and impressive record make him a formidable opponent. Shakur Stevenson's three-division champion status at the age of 26 shows his potential, but he still needs a marquee victory to reach the level of his peers.

Tyson Fury's undefeated reign as the heavyweight world champion cannot be ignored, but his controversial victory over MMA star Francis Ngannou did not boost his standing in the rankings. Finally, Anthony Joshua's knockout win over Otto Wallin puts him back in the mix, but his blockbuster deal with Deontay Wilder was derailed after Wilder's loss to Joseph Parker.

Overall, SunSport's pound-for-pound rankings for 2023 showcase the incredible talent and competition in the boxing world. Terence Crawford's dominant victory over Errol Spence Jr solidifies his spot as the top fighter, but the challengers are not far behind, ready to seize their chance at glory in the coming year.