The boxing world has been rocked by a major retirement, and the implications are far-reaching. Terence Crawford, a true legend in the sport, has called it quits, leaving a void that many are eager to fill. This decision has sparked intense debates and reshaped the boxing landscape.
Crawford's retirement has left a gaping hole in the super-middleweight division, with Canelo Alvarez's plans for a rematch now in tatters. The undisputed champion status that Crawford held across three weight divisions is now up for grabs, with four titles suddenly vacant.
The WBA has already taken action, promoting interim champion Jose Armando Resendiz to full champion status. The remaining three belts are expected to find new owners soon, with a long line of contenders ready to step up.
But here's where it gets controversial: the retirement has also impacted the pound-for-pound rankings, an inherently subjective measure that nonetheless shapes the elite boxing discourse. For years, Crawford was a fixture in the top three, alongside heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and multi-weight sensation Naoya Inoue.
With Crawford out of the picture, the focus shifts to Usyk and Inoue as the leading contenders for the top spot. Dmitry Bivol and Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez are also frequently mentioned as potential top-five fighters.
Inoue, who had a busy 2025 with four successful defences of his undisputed super-bantamweight title, capped off the year with a dominant points victory over David Picasso in Riyadh. When asked if Crawford's retirement made him the best fighter in the world, Inoue's response was characteristically concise: "Hai" (yes).
While Usyk's opinion on the matter may never be known, what's certain is that boxing now boasts two exceptional champions who are making strong cases for their greatness.
So, who do you think deserves the top spot? Is it Inoue, with his impressive record and recent dominance? Or perhaps Usyk, the heavyweight king? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! The boxing world is waiting to hear your take on this heated debate.
