
via Getty
PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES – OCTOBER 19, 2019: Artur Beterbiev of Russia poses with the IBF and WBC belts as he celebrates victory in a light heavyweight IBF-WBC world title unification boxing fight against Oleksandr Gvozdyk of Ukraine (not pictured) at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Valery Sharifulin/TASS (Photo by Valery SharifulinTASS via Getty Images)

via Getty
PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES – OCTOBER 19, 2019: Artur Beterbiev of Russia poses with the IBF and WBC belts as he celebrates victory in a light heavyweight IBF-WBC world title unification boxing fight against Oleksandr Gvozdyk of Ukraine (not pictured) at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Valery Sharifulin/TASS (Photo by Valery SharifulinTASS via Getty Images)
Artur Beterbiev, a name synonymous with unparalleled knockout power that recently floored Callum Smith, has catapulted into an elite list. But which list? The prestigious Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound top ten. This isn’t just any ranking. It’s the gold standard in boxing, where only the crème de la crème find their names.
What does this mean for Beterbiev and for the boxing hierarchy? More intriguingly, what about the fans’ take? Do they agree with this reshuffle at the pinnacle of boxing prowess? Or are they not contended with his ranking?
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The list that has the world arguing!
Renowned sports journalist Michael Benson recently took to Twitter, sparking a wave of excitement and debate across the boxing community. In his revealing tweet, Benson announced the latest reshuffle in Ring Magazine’s esteemed pound-for-pound rankings, a list that is regarded as the definitive guide to boxing’s best. At the pinnacle stands Terence Crawford, holding the coveted number one spot. He is closely followed by the precision of Naoya Inoue at number two and the tactical genius of Oleksandr Usyk at three. The ever-formidable Canelo Alvarez claims the fourth position, setting the stage for the new entrant.

via Getty
PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES – OCTOBER 19, 2019: IBF belt-holder Artur Beterbiev of Russia celebrates victory in a light heavyweight world title unification boxing fight against WBC titlist Oleksandr Gvozdyk of Ukraine (not pictured) at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Valery Sharifulin/TASS (Photo by Valery SharifulinTASS via Getty Images)
Making a thunderous entry at number five is Artur Beterbiev, whose rise signifies a seismic shift in the boxing landscape. The list continues with Dmitry Bivol at six, showcasing his tactical acumen. At seven, the skillful Devin Haney makes his mark. Errol Spence, a powerhouse in his own right, occupies the eighth spot. The ninth place is held by the dynamic Gervonta Davis, and rounding out the top ten is the spirited Teofimo Lopez. This announcement by Benson not only highlights the current titans of the ring but also sets the tone for heated discussions among fans and experts alike.
Should Artur Beterbiev Rank higher than Usyk?
The announcement of Artur Beterbiev’s ascent into the top five of the pound-for-pound rankings has ignited a diverse range of reactions among boxing fans. Firstly, a fan challenges the current placements. They argue that Beterbiev deserves to rank higher than Canelo Álvarez, suggesting that Alvarez’s rightful position should be at number six.
Beterbiev should be above Canelo in the rankings as Canelo fits at #6 at best..
Spence & Tank aren’t P4P boxers right now..
— AccordingToBoxing (@AccordToBoxing) January 19, 2024
On the other hand, one fan expresses straightforward approval of Beterbiev’s ranking.
Well deserved
— Shaun (@ShaunLFC9) January 19, 2024
Another fan presents a bold opinion. They believe Beterbiev’s skills and achievements surpass those of Oleksandr Usyk, suggesting that Beterbiev should be placed even higher up on the list.
Beterbiev should be above usyk. pic.twitter.com/4ywxeaKTQm
— FightGIF (@TheFightGIF) January 19, 2024
In a different vein, this fan questions the inclusion of certain boxers in the top ten. He argues for the removal of Errol Spence and Gervonta Davis from the list, proposing replacements like Bam Rodriguez and Emmanuel Navarrete.
Good just got to remove Spence and Gervonta. Spence is no longer top 10 and replace them with Bam Rodriguez and Emmanuel Naverette or Ioka
— Hamed (@HamedBoxing) January 19, 2024
Another user adds a forward-looking comment. He celebrates Beterbiev’s entry and suggests that a future clash between Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol would be crucial for their careers.
It’s about time! Now he and Bivol need each other to define their careers. It’s Legacy time!
— Tokunbo Mosimabale (@sundaymosi) January 19, 2024
Collectively, these reactions from fans reveal the passionate and varied views that the boxing community holds about the pound-for-pound rankings, highlighting the blend of personal preferences, analytical assessments, and anticipations for future bouts that these lists invariably provoke.
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Also Read: Days After Knocking Out Callum Smith, Arthur Beterbiev Joins Hand With UFC Great
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What are your thoughts on Beterbiev’s ranking and the current pound-for-pound list? Do you agree with the fans’ perspectives, or do you see things differently?
Watch this story: Five Potential Opponents for Artur Beterbiev
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