Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has reestablished himself among boxing’s top pound-for-pound fighters. Over a year after losing his undisputed title to Terence Crawford, Alvarez demonstrated his elite status with a commanding decision victory against Christian Mbilli this past Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This win not only brought a world title back to Alvarez but also affirmed that even in the later stages of his career, the Mexican star remains superior within the super middleweight division.
On the women’s side, with Katie Taylor having retired, there is now clear consensus on the No. 1 female pound-for-pound boxer for the first time since Uncrowned started these rankings in December 2024. November’s list features a new face in the men’s rankings and a comeback from one of women’s boxing’s top athletes.
Uncrowned’s expert panel—Kel Dansby, Alan Dawson, Darshan Desai, Joseph Santoliquito, Lewis Watson, and Elliot Worsell—ranked the best men’s and women’s fighters from one to ten, applying a weighted point system in which a first-place vote earns 10 points, second place 9 points, and so on down to tenth place receiving one point.
Here are the top pound-for-pound lists for November 2026:
Men’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings
- Naoya Inoue (Undisputed Super Bantamweight Champion) – Following his landmark victory over Junto Nakatani in Japan, Inoue is planning a superfight with Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez in March 2027. Failing that, he aims to win a title at featherweight, potentially becoming only the seventh five-division world champion in men’s boxing history. Despite being past his prime, he continues to build his legacy.
2T. Oleksandr Usyk (Former Undisputed Cruiserweight & Heavyweight Champion) – Usyk, 39, initially showed signs of slowing down but now plans to return to cruiserweight to reclaim undisputed status. Talks are ongoing for him to challenge for the IBF cruiserweight title and then unify with David Benavidez.
2T. David Benavidez (WBA & WBO Unified Cruiserweight Champion) – After an impressive win in May to become a three-division champion and unify two cruiserweight titles, Benavidez is set to fight WBC champion Michal Cieslak in December. A victory could position him as the top contender for undisputed cruiserweight glory.
Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (WBA Bantamweight Champion) – Having secured his third divisional title in June, Rodriguez is targeting a major fight with Naoya Inoue next year, which would be a key matchup between two of boxing’s best pound-for-pound talents.
Shakur Stevenson (WBO Super Lightweight Champion) – Stevenson had a busy year off the ring with promotional changes and challenges setting up future bouts. His next fight will be a mandated defense against Raymond Muratalla, maintaining his status among the elites.
Dmitry Bivol (WBA/WBO/IBF Light Heavyweight Champion) – Bivol holds an elite place in boxing, highlighted by wins over Canelo Alvarez and Artur Beterbiev. In 2026, he returned from injury to defend his titles and could pursue a trilogy against Beterbiev in 2027.
Devin Haney (WBO Welterweight Champion) – Haney continues to climb, preparing for a unification bout with IBF champion Liam Paro in December. He aims to solidify his dominance in the welterweight division next year.
Jaron “Boots” Ennis (WBA/WBO Super Welterweight Champion) – Ennis has proven his worth with convincing wins and is eyeing a third title with a planned fight against IBF champion Josh Kelly, positioning himself for potential undisputed status at 154 pounds.
O’Shaquie Foster (WBC, WBO, IBF Super Featherweight Champion) – Foster has transformed in the past year from an underrated world champion to a leading figure, highlighted by key victories including achieving undisputed super featherweight champion status.
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (WBC Super Middleweight Champion) – After a commanding display against Mbilli, Alvarez showed flashes of his prime form with aggressive punch output, proving doubts about his decline premature. He is expected to return to Saudi Arabia next spring with a potential bout against Hamzah Sheeraz.
(Additional fighters receiving votes include Junto Nakatani, Artur Beterbiev, Jai Opetaia, and Sebastian Fundora.)
Women’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings
Claressa Shields (Unified Middleweight Champion) – With Katie Taylor retired, Shields is the undisputed female pound-for-pound leader, having returned to middleweight for bigger fights. Shields’ versatility and multi-weight world titles cement her dominance in women’s boxing.
Gabriela Fundora (Undisputed Flyweight Champion) – After unifying her division and defending her titles with multiple knockout wins, Fundora stands out as the youngest undisputed champion of the modern era and a potential future face of the sport.
Chantelle Cameron (WBA, WBC, WBO Unified Super Welterweight Champion) – Cameron earned renewed recognition after a major upset win over Mikaela Mayer and is now a dominant force at 154 pounds, looking to solidify her place among the elite.
Amanda Serrano (WBA/WBO Featherweight Champion) – Nearing the end of a long, storied career, Serrano prepares for her final fight after 17 years as a pro. Though her prime has passed, she remains a pioneer for women’s boxing.
Dina Thorslund (Undisputed Bantamweight Champion) – After maternity leave, Thorslund reasserted herself by decisively beating Cherneka Johnson, showcasing her dominance in the bantamweight division.
Alycia Baumgardner (WBA/WBO/IBF Super Featherweight Champion) – Baumgardner, who faced a doping-related setback, has rebounded by retaining her unified titles and now aims to win a lightweight belt, signaling an upward trajectory.
Ellie Scotney (Former Undisputed Super Bantamweight Champion) – Known for her technical skill, Scotney became an undisputed champ earlier this year but recently withdrew from a featherweight challenge due to injury.
Caroline Dubois (WBC & WBO Unified Lightweight Champion) – The British star has joined the pound-for-pound conversation following a big unification win and is pursuing matchups that could elevate her prominence in the coming years.
9T. Mikaela Mayer (WBO Welterweight Champion) – Mayer has experienced several close decision losses and is seeking a path back to undisputed status, potentially requiring repeat trips to the UK for major fights.
9T. Lauren Price (WBA, WBC, IBF Welterweight Champion) – An Olympic gold medalist, Price quickly rose to prominence by unifying titles and remains a dominant force with big fights scheduled for 2027.
(Other notable names receiving votes include Elif Nur Turhan, Mizuki Hiruta, and Tiara Brown.)
Fan Take:
This latest set of pound-for-pound rankings highlights a thrilling era in boxing where legendary veterans like Canelo and Usyk continue to chase history while rising stars are poised to redefine the sport’s future. For fight fans, these matchups and evolving divisions promise unforgettable bouts and the ongoing reshaping of boxing’s competitive landscape.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
