If your criteria for pound-for-pound consideration is opposition, then Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez makes the grade. If you'd rather focus on accomplishments, then Bam is still there. And, finally, if you go on the eye test, then the new unified flyweight champ is something very special.
On Saturday, Rodriguez, 23, floored and stopped flyweight No. 1 Sunny Edwards in nine rounds before a partisan crowd at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The unbeaten lefty dominated most of the bout and shrugged off warrior-like resistance from Edwards to add the IBF flyweight title to the WBO version he brought into the ring.
Bam has already won the WBC super flyweight title and dominated the likes of Carlos Cuadras and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. The performance level against Edwards had to be high for him to reach pound-for-pound status and he delivered, displacing former multi-weight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko to make his debut in the mythical ratings.
MORE: Bam Rodriguez stops Sunny Edwards in nine
The Sporting News now takes a detailed look at the Top-12 pound-for-pound boxers in the world today:
12: Jesse Rodriguez
- Record: 19-0 (12 KOs)
- Current Titles: IBF and WBO flyweight
Bam's ring IQ and presence belie his years and he looks like a complete fighter already. He has quick hands, sharp reflexes, punching power, and his feet are excellent. The new unified champ is as good on the inside as he is on the outside and it'll take a terrific fighter to beat him.
The plan appears to be for Rodriguez to make a return to super flyweight. He won't be short on options at 115 pounds because Juan Francisco Estrada and "Chocolatito" Gonzalez are still active within this division. A fight against either one of these legendary stars would be unmissable.
Next fight: TBA
11. Gervonta Davis
- Record: 29-0 (27 KOs)
- Current Titles: N/A
One of the hardest-hitting fighters in world boxing, "Tank" Davis is also a pay-per-view star with the boxing world at his feet.
The Baltimore-born champion has won world titles at super featherweight, lightweight, and super lightweight. Some belts have been more meaningful than others, but there's no doubting Davis' overall quality.
"Tank" is coming off a career-defining victory over the previously unbeaten Ryan Garcia, who he stopped in seven rounds. If he can post similar results against the likes of Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson, then he will ascend these rankings at high speed.
Next Fight: TBA
10. Juan Francisco Estrada
- Record: 44-3 (28 KOs)
- Current Titles: WBC and Ring Magazine super flyweight
Mexican star Estrada successfully marries the blood and guts tenacity of his home country with a cerebral approach to the fight game. A former unified champion at flyweight, “El Gallo” moved up to 115 pounds and has enjoyed considerable success.
He may be closer to the end than the beginning, but the 32-year-old Estrada has already punched his ticket to the Hall of Fame with a plethora of career-defining wins: Brian Viloria (SD 12), Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (UD 12), and Roman Gonzalez (MD 12, SD 12) to name a few.
Next fight: TBA
9. Shakur Stevenson
- Record: 21-0 (10 KOs)
- Current Titles: N/A
Now a three-weight world champion, Stevenson is extraordinarily talented and that's regardless of his listless showing against Edwin De Los Santos. An Olympic silver medallist, Stevenson has adapted brilliantly to the professional ranks and his best nights are ahead of him.
The New Jersey-born star already holds impressive victories over Jamel Herring (TKO 10), Oscar Valdez (UD 12), and Robson Conceicao (UD 12).
Next fight: TBA
8. Errol Spence Jr.
- Record: 28-1 (22 KOs)
- Current Titles: N/A
While his world just came crashing down against Crawford, the fact remains that Spence is still an elite-level fighter. The 33-year-old Texan is as good on the inside as he is on the outside, and his punch variety is exceptional.
Among his top wins are Kell Brook (KO 11), Shawn Porter (SD 12), Danny Garcia (UD 12), and Yordenis Ugas (TKO 10).
Don't write off "The Truth" from posting more career-defining wins in the future.
Next fight: Spence stated that he would activate his rematch clause and face Crawford a second time.
7. Teofimo Lopez
- Record: 19-1 (13 KOs)
- Current Titles: WBO and Ring Magazine super lightweight
Following a history-making triumph over the previously unbeaten Josh Taylor, it's highly likely that Lopez will be making a return to any pound-for-pound list worth reading.
When he defeated Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020, Lopez was the toast of the boxing world and a solid pound-for-pound entrant. However, a humbling loss to George Kambosos Jr. and poor performances since left the 25-year-old on the outside looking in.
But in boxing, it only takes one fight to get back on top, and that's precisely what Lopez has done. Turning in his best effort since beating Lomachenko, Lopez outboxed Taylor over 12 rounds and picked up a unanimous decision triumph.
Next fight: TBA
6. Dmitry Bivol
- Record: 22-0 (11 KOs)
- Current Titles: WBA light heavyweight
He came from out of nowhere and he’s here to stay.
Bivol, 32, was a long-reigning light-heavyweight titleholder when he was drafted in as a sacrificial lamb for boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez. Things didn’t go to plan. The talented and rangy Bivol outclassed the Mexican star over 12 rounds to crash the pound-for-pound list and break free of the pack. In November, the Russian technician impressively outboxed the previously unbeaten Gilberto Ramirez. Bivol also holds victories over Jean Pascal (UD 12) and Joe Smith Jr. (UD 12).
Next fight: TBA
5. Devin Haney
- Record: 31-0 (15 KOs)
- Current Titles: WBC super lightweight
Following a closer-than-expected win over former three-weight world champ Vasiliy Lomachenko, many felt the hype surrounding Devin Haney was OTT. Well, it only takes one fight to change perceptions, and Haney's win over Regis Prograis was dazzling.
Last year, Haney, 25, hit the elite level when he outpointed Kambosos (UD 12) to emerge as the first undisputed lightweight champion since Pernell Whitaker in the late 1980s. The young champ's speed, skill, judgment of distance, and technical know-how are of the highest caliber.
Other impressive wins include Jorge Linares (UD 12), Joseph Diaz Jr. (UD 12), and a rematch win over Kambosos (UD 12).
Next fight: TBA
4. Canelo Alvarez
- Record: 60-2-2 (39 KOs)
- Current Titles: Undisputed super middleweight
Canelo is the biggest star in boxing.
A former champion at super welterweight, middleweight, and light heavyweight, the Mexican star currently holds all the marbles at 168 pounds. With next to no amateur foundation, Canelo learned on the job as a pro and developed into a well-rounded and skilled competitor.
Dmitry Bivol got the best of him in May 2022, but Canelo’s resume is the envy of his peers: Erislandy Lara (SD 12), Miguel Cotto (UD 12), Gennadiy Golovkin (MD 12, UD 12), Daniel Jacobs (UD 12), Sergey Kovalev (KO 11), and Jermell Charlo (UD 12) to name a few.
Next fight: TBA
3. Oleksandr Usyk
- Record: 21-0 (14 KOs)
- Current Titles: IBF, WBA, WBO, and Ring Magazine Heavyweight
A former Olympic champion, an undisputed cruiserweight champion, and the reigning unified heavyweight champion of the world. Usyk, 35, is arguably the finest technician in boxing today and he’s the complete package. Blessed with rapier hand speed, quick feet, incredible athleticism, and unmatched ring IQ, the Ukrainian wizard holds career-defining wins over Mairis Briedis (MD 12), Murat Gassiev (UD 12), and Anthony Joshua (UD 12, SD 12). Following the fifth-round controversy, the champ successfully defended the IBF, WBA, WBO, and Ring titles he took from Joshua against mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois in Wroclaw, Poland, stopping the Briton in nine.
Next fight: Takes on Tyson Fury for the undisputed heavyweight title on February 17.
2. Naoya Inoue
- Record: 26-0 (23 KOs)
- Current Titles: Undisputed super bantamweight
Is there a more apt nickname in boxing than “The Monster?” From the moment he turned professional, Inoue, 30, possessed crushing punch power, blazing hand speed, and exemplary technique. Now a three-weight world champion, the Japanese star holds signature wins over Emmanuel Rodriguez (TKO 2), Nonito Donaire (UD 12/ TKO 2), Stephen Fulton (TKO 8), and Marlon Tapales (KO 10).
Next fight: TBA
- Record: 40-0 (31 KOs)
- Current Titles: Undisputed welterweight
Crawford is one of the most decorated and gifted world champions in boxing today. “Bud” followed world title success at lightweight by becoming the undisputed champion at 140 pounds. The 35-year-old boxing master has been campaigning at welterweight since 2018 and he has now taken undisputed honors in that division, too.
Notable triumphs have come against Errol Spence (TKO 9), Ricky Burns (UD 12), Yuriorkis Gamboa (TKO 9), Viktor Postol (UD 12), and Shawn Porter (TKO 10).
Next fight: TBA