Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez reveals his pound-for-pound top three

By Elliot Worsell

Arguably, the only activity more futile than creating a pound-for-pound top 10 list is debating about one. After all, it won’t declare a champion, offer any benefit, and ultimately only emphasizes a lack of understanding about what a pound-for-pound list really signifies.

Regarding what it is believed to symbolize, it varies in meaning like most things, depending on the person. However, in essence, a pound-for-pound list only serves as a time-consuming activity and a catalyst for discussion. It has no more significant purpose than that and definitely doesn’t impact a specific fighter’s legacy or their standing in the sport.

That said, for those interested in such things, here is the pound-for-pound top three according to Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez: “For me, (Oleksandr) Usyk is number one, (Naoya) Inoue is two, and (Terence) Crawford is three. Usyk is the heavyweight undisputed champion; there’s no topping that.” As for the overall value of a pound-for-pound list, Rodriguez, 19-0 (12), said to Boxing News: “At first, I never really cared (about the list), to be honest. But once I was actually put on the pound-for-pound rankings it was more of a shock than anything. Ever since then I have wanted to stay on that list and be mentioned among the great fighters in that top 10. To be on the list is something I want and this fight will move me up even higher if I win.”

Jesse Rodriguez, who is set to fight Juan Francisco Estrada this Saturday (June 29), is already considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, even without defeating Estrada yet. A win on Saturday will not only place the Texan among the elite fighters, but will also mark an achievement at 24 years old that most fighters can only dream of. His inclusion on such a prestigious list at his age, whether ranked 10 or at the top, speaks volumes about his talent and speedy progress.

In December, Rodriguez taunts and overcomes Sunny Edwards (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Still, what really counts in the end are victories, not the opinions of fans. Which is what made it somewhat amusing to see the impassioned reaction of Turki Alalshikh, one of the most powerful men in the sport, after coming across a specific pound-for-pound list last month. Taken from BoxRec.com of all places, Alalshikh, new to the game, posted this top 10 list on social media and wrote beneath it: “(Naoya) Inoue is a great boxer, but (Terence) Crawford is the pound-for-pound number one. I don’t know how the rankings work or if there’s a clear criteria, but it seems like there are some personal opinions and inaccuracies involved. I believe that boxing needs one entity to evaluate with transparency and credibility. Soon, I will support a project for that matter.”

This post is so compelling that it’s difficult to determine where to begin. First off, personal opinions have no influence whatsoever on a pound-for-pound list or any other rankings on BoxRec.com. This is because all rankings are generated by a computer and based on a points system. While this doesn’t mean their rankings are flawless, any claims of bias are essentially irrelevant when it comes to this website.

The notion that a pound-for-pound list on BoxRec.com could instigate change in a chaotic sport like boxing is extremely odd. Furthermore, the belief that the sport requires a single “entity to assess with transparency and credibility” becomes equally preposterous when considering the kinds of individuals who are supposedly providing these evaluations, transparency, and credibility. While ideally, better regulation and streamlining would be beneficial for the sport, the thought of this becoming a reality in boxing’s future is somewhat fanciful, to say the least.

Furthermore, even with the discussion of “personal opinions and inaccuracies,” Alalshikh’s response to BoxRec.com’s pound-for-pound list originates from the same place, likely influenced by his current collaboration with Terence Crawford, whom he highly praises. Importantly, Alalshikh’s belief that Crawford is the number one pound-for-pound is neither absurd nor unique to him. It is a sentiment shared by many, especially after Crawford’s impressive 2023 victory over welterweight rival and fellow pound-for-pound contender, Errol Spence.

In July, Terence Crawford halts Errol Spence (Getty Images)

Perhaps Alalshikh is simply filled with excitement. It’s possible he’s exploring the limits of his influence as a new influential figure in the sport. With recent additions to Naoya Inoue’s legacy through a solid performance against Luis Nery, and Oleksandr Usyk’s victory over Tyson Fury, perhaps the debate about the pound-for-pound ranking is gaining relevance, at least as much as it possibly can. Maybe when Crawford competes against Israil Madrimov next month, we’ll gain a clearer perspective of where Crawford, Inoue, and Usyk stand on a ranking list that ultimately has little significance in the grand scheme of things.

To put it simply, the best thing about the sport is its current state of health, particularly at its highest level. This health is evidenced by Crawford, Inoue, and Usyk, three powerful talents who would probably have thrived in any previous era of boxing history. They are not merely happenstance world champions in their weight classes with extended unbeaten streaks. Rather, they are among the finest talents boxing has ever seen, and they have coincidentally reached their prime simultaneously.

Fury is defeated by Usyk (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

So good is this trio, in fact, it is hard to guess which one of them will be the first to slip up; that is, give ground in a race in which they don’t even realise they are competing. Up to now there have hardly even been signs. Inoue, it’s true, was knocked down for the first time in his pro career against Nery, but the manner in which he then turned that fight around only added credence to his claim to be number one. Similarly, Usyk, despite being somewhat handicapped as a relatively small heavyweight, is now achieving feats the likes of Inoue and Crawford are unable to achieve by virtue of them fighting opponents who weigh the same as them. That, in the fight for pound-for-pound number one, must surely count for something.

Of course, it has its significance. Just as the list, for Usyk, being a heavyweight is both consequential and inconsequential. It signifies that the Ukrainian’s accomplishments will always possess a unique factor missing in Crawford and Inoue’s achievements. Additionally, it renders the pound-for-pound list even more irrelevant than when we merely rank fighters creating their legacy against rivals of the same weight.

One could already make the case that Usyk, Crawford, and Inoue are pushing the limits. Usyk is constantly testing boundaries by pursuing the leading players in the heavyweight division. Simultaneously, Crawford and Inoue, driven either by financial gain or the quest for pound-for-pound dominance, are constantly being associated with matches that appeal to only a specific fan base. In this instance, it refers to Crawford potentially battling Canelo Alvarez and Inoue taking on Gervonta Davis. This prospect is thrilling on one hand, but on the other, it raises questions about not only the rationality of those involved in boxing, but also the occasional concerns regarding the sport’s wellbeing.