November’s Ring IV pay-per-view event in Saudi Arabia featured numerous top pound-for-pound fighters in title bouts, showcasing some of boxing’s most talented and thrilling athletes. Among them, 25-year-old Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez stood out as the most impressive and overwhelmingly dominant. On the same night David Benavidez defended his undisputed light heavyweight title, Devin Haney highlighted Rodriguez’s remarkable feat of unifying the 115-pound title in back-to-back matches within the perilous welterweight division, making him a three-division champion.
Rodriguez (23-0, 16 KOs) faced a tough test against fellow undefeated champion Fernando “Puma” Martinez, an aggressive Argentine who had ruled the 115-pound class for three years. However, Rodriguez, in his eight-year professional journey, made Martinez appear out of place in the ring. Beyond showcasing his elegant footwork and exceptional boxing skills, Rodriguez ended the fight in the 10th round with a precise left cross counter, knocking Martinez out.
After the bout, the modest Rodriguez expressed his hope that his talents and achievements would be acknowledged alongside greats like Terrence Crawford, Oleksandr Usyk, and Naoya Inoue, who recently shifted positions in the pound-for-pound rankings. From my viewpoint, Rodriguez rightfully belongs among them. Whether facing elite fighters such as Srisaket Sol Rungvisai, Sonny Edwards, Juan Francisco Estrada, or Martinez, Rodriguez systematically dismantles his opposition with a blend of beauty and ruthless efficiency.
In a highly competitive field filled with future Hall of Famers, Rodriguez has proven himself to be distinctly rare and extraordinary—and he’s only 25.
Pound for Pound Rankings:
1. Terrence Crawford
Undisputed super middleweight champion (42-0, 31 KOs)
Crawford solidified his legacy by moving up two weight classes to defeat Canelo Alvarez in a landmark superfight, becoming the first male boxer to claim undisputed titles in three weight classes with four belts held simultaneously. A rematch might happen in 2026.
2. Oleksandr Usyk
Undisputed heavyweight champion (24-0, 15 KOs)
Usyk, known for his comprehensive and stylish fighting, knocked out Daniel Dubois in a rematch to reclaim heavyweight dominance. In just eight heavyweight fights, he’s defeated Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Dubois twice each, achieving historic feats.
3. Naoya Inoue
Undisputed junior featherweight champion (28-0, 25 KOs)
The four-division champ continued his winning streak in 2025, outpointing former unified champion Murdzhon Akhmadaliev. He plans to defend his title again in December and may face fellow Japanese champion Junto Nakatani in 2026.
4. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez
Unified Junior Bantamweight Champion (22-0, 15 KOs)
Rodriguez, from San Antonio, is forging his path as one of boxing’s elite. He unified the 115-pound titles by defeating undefeated Phumelara Kahu and later outpointed Martinez to further cement his standing.
5. Dmitry Bivol
Undisputed light heavyweight champion (24-1, 12 KOs)
Despite a controversial loss to Artur Beterbiev in 2024, Bivol avenged it by stopping Beterbiev in their rematch. A trilogy fight might be on the horizon for the future Hall of Famer.
6. David Benavidez
Light heavyweight titleholder (31-0, 25 KOs)
Benavidez rose to light heavyweight in 2024 after waiting on Canelo Alvarez, compiling wins against former champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk and David Morrell Jr. He defended his WBC title by defeating Anthony Yarde in Saudi Arabia, with a possible bout against cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez scheduled for 2026.
7. Artur Beterbiev
Light heavyweight (21-1, 20 KOs)
After narrowly beating Bivol in 2023, Beterbiev lost the rematch in 2024 but remains active at 40, eyeing either a trilogy with Bivol or a fight with Benavidez in 2026.
8. Shakur Stevenson
WBC Lightweight Champion (24-0, 11 KOs)
After periods of criticism for less exciting bouts, Stevenson revived his career with a strong win over William Zepeda and is expected to move up in weight for a potential fight with Teofimo Lopez Jr.
9. Junto Nakatani
Junior Featherweight (30-0, 23 KOs)
Nakatani, a two-division champ from Japan, made waves with knockout wins at 118 pounds but will vacate his bantamweight belt to pursue bigger fights, possibly against Naoya Inoue.
10. Devin Haney
Welterweight titleholder (33-0, 15 KOs)
Haney, after criticism, showcased his skills by defeating undefeated Brian Norman Jr. to become a three-division champ. A highly anticipated rematch with Ryan Garcia could be one of the biggest bouts in 2026.
Dropped: Canelo Alvarez
Honorable mentions: Alvarez, Teofimo Lopez Jr., Gervonta Davis, Jaron “Boots” Ennis, Keyshawn Davis
Fan Take: Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez’s rise signifies a refreshing new era in boxing, blending youth with extraordinary skill and composure. His dominance at a young age promises thrilling matchups ahead, elevating the sport’s excitement and competitiveness for fans worldwide.
