New Movers in the Fight Game
Boxing’s pound-for-pound conversation got a jolt after a big fight weekend. With technical masterclasses and power performances on display, a couple of young names have now cracked into the upper echelon—sending shockwaves across the rankings as of September 5, 2025.
Shakur Stevenson Makes a Statement
Shakur Stevenson (21-0, 10 KOs) returned on August 31, 2025, with a composed and clinical unanimous decision win over Artem Harutyunyan. This was no tune-up—it was a showcase of elite-level skill, ring IQ, and control. Harutyunyan came to fight, but Stevenson, as always, dictated the tempo.
The biggest knock on Shakur? Entertainment value. But on this night, he threw with more intent, sat on his punches, and gave fans glimpses of aggression—something critics have wanted for years. His timing was sharp, and defensively, he was slippery as ever.
This win pushes him into the top 5 of most credible pound-for-pound lists, finally giving him his overdue respect. At 135 lbs, he’s now eyeing the likes of Gervonta Davis or Vasiliy Lomachenko. With Devin Haney now campaigning at 140, the lightweight throne has room at the top—and Shakur just stepped into that space.
Why It Matters
- Undisputed credentials at 130 lbs
- Still undefeated across three divisions
- Wins now come with more offensive polish
Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez Levels Up Again
On August 31, 2025, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (20-0, 13 KOs) delivered another jaw-dropping performance, stopping Juan Francisco Estrada in the ninth round. Estrada, a veteran and future Hall of Famer, had never been dominated like this. Bam didn’t just win—he took the torch from a legend.
Rodriguez fought like a seasoned killer. His footwork was tight, his angles sharp, and his power clearly too much for Estrada. The left hand down the pipe was his weapon of choice, landing flush again and again. Estrada couldn’t solve him.
This wasn’t just a win—it was a coronation. Bam is now the undisputed king at 115 lbs. He’s only 25, but his résumé already includes legends and champions. He’s not just a contender anymore; he’s a pound-for-pound fixture.
Rodriguez’s Rise in Numbers
| Fight | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|
| vs. Juan Francisco Estrada | TKO 9 | August 31, 2025 |
| vs. Sunny Edwards | UD 12 | December 16, 2023 |
| vs. Carlos Cuadras | UD 12 | February 5, 2022 |
The Current Top 10 Shakeup
Here’s how the top of the food chain now looks, factoring in activity, opposition level, and dominance. Rankings updated as of September 5, 2025.
| Rank | Fighter | Record | Recent Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Terence Crawford | 40-0 (31 KOs) | Inactive since July 2023 |
| 2 | Naoya Inoue | 27-0 (24 KOs) | Win over Nery, May 2024 |
| 3 | Oleksandr Usyk | 22-0 (14 KOs) | Win over Fury, May 2024 |
| 4 | Shakur Stevenson | 21-0 (10 KOs) | Win over Harutyunyan |
| 5 | Jesse Rodriguez | 20-0 (13 KOs) | Win over Estrada |
| 6 | Gervonta Davis | 30-0 (28 KOs) | Inactive since 2023 |
| 7 | Canelo Alvarez | 61-2-2 (39 KOs) | Last fight: May 2024 |
| 8 | Devin Haney | 32-0 (16 KOs) | Win over Ryan Garcia |
| 9 | Artur Beterbiev | 20-0 (20 KOs) | Injury delay, 2024 |
| 10 | Vasiliy Lomachenko | 18-3 (11 KOs) | Win over Kambosos |
What’s Next?
The landscape is shifting. Stevenson wants Gervonta Davis. Bam Rodriguez is looking at moving up to 118 lbs. Terence Crawford’s return has no confirmed date. Naoya Inoue is flirting with the idea of facing Bam in a monster showdown at bantamweight. And Usyk? He’s the undisputed king of heavyweight, but rumors of retirement are swirling.
Boxing’s pound-for-pound elite is no longer just a list—it’s a battlefield. And two new soldiers just marched right into the fight.
