In 2023, the boxing world has witnessed lots of thrilling matchups such as a hassle between Gervonta Davis and Hector Luis Garcia, or an outrageous fight between Devin Haney and Regis Prograis, bringing the sport to new heights of excitement and skill. Therefore, the Boxing Showtimes team has carefully selected the top 10 boxers of the year. From technical knockouts to strategic masterclasses, these athletes have captivated fans around the globe and dominated their categories to become the faces of professional boxing this year.
10. Vasiliy Lomachenko
In his sole 2023 fight, Vasiliy Lomachenko faced undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney on May 20 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Despite a closely contested bout with Lomachenko showing his prowess through clean head combinations and Haney countering with body shots, Lomachenko ultimately lost by unanimous decision. The fight stirred controversy, with many, including notable boxers, believing Lomachenko deserved the win, particularly criticizing the scoring of round 10. Both fighters had comparable punch stats, and Haney acknowledged Lomachenko as his toughest opponent yet.
Watch the official Loma vs. Haney highlights: Watch
9. Gervonta Davis
Gervonta, a prominent name in the lightweight division, holds the WBA’s secondary title and might soon step into the full champion role with Devin Haney’s departure to a higher weight class. Despite his reluctance to embrace the title, Davis is a sought-after opponent for many fighters, including 140-pound champion Subriel Matias. His next fight, regardless of the opponent, is expected to be a high-profile event that could further elevate his status.
Watch top 3 knockouts of Gervonta: Watch
8. Tyson Fury
Known for his flamboyant personality and formidable skills in the heavyweight division, Tyson narrowly defended his WBC title against Francis Ngannou. To move past this controversial win, Fury is focusing on a unification bout with Oleksandr Usyk. A victory here could erase the lingering doubts from the Ngannou fight and set up an even more profitable rematch, further enhancing Fury’s legacy.
Watch top 5 knockouts of Tyson Fury: Watch
7. Devin Haney
Devin Haney, formerly a unified champion at 135 pounds, has relinquished his titles to move up to the 140-pound division. With 31 win and 15 KOs under his belt, Haney is chasing greater achievements in this new weight class, especially after a dominant win over Regis Prograis. Each of his upcoming bouts are highly anticipated and could propel him further up the pound-for-pound rankings.
Watch the official Haney vs. Prograis highlights: Watch
6. Shakur Stevenson
Being world champion across three weight classes and still undefeated, he faced criticism for his less-than-stellar performance against Edwin De Los Santos. Seeking to alter this perception, Stevenson has proposed a fight with Ryan Garcia, a high-profile talent. A victory in such a bout could dispel doubts and solidify Stevenson’s position as a top fighter in his division.
Watch Skakur’s best combinations and knockouts: Watch
5. Dmitry Bivol
After his victory over Lyndon Alvarez in an outrageous event in Riyadh, Dmitry continues to defend his WBA and a newly received IBO light heavyweight titles. Although undefeated, Bivol’s infrequent fights since his win over Alvarez have somewhat dimmed his star. Bigger fights against top contenders like David Benavidez or Artur Beterbiev could significantly boost his standing.
Watch the official Bivol vs. Arthur highlights: Watch
4. Canelo Alvarez
Canelo has quickly recovered from his defeat to Bivol, winning significant fights in 2023. His victories over rivals like John Ryder and Jermell Charlo have reinstated him among the elite. Alvarez now faces a potential career-defining challenge against David Benavidez, an unbeaten former champion, which could further enhance his legendary status in the sport.
Watch the official Canelo vs. Charlo highlights: Watch
3. Oleksandr Usyk
Oleksandr Usyk, the IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion, remains a formidable figure in the division. Despite a shaky moment against Daniel Dubois, he emerged victorious, retaining his titles. His upcoming unification bout with Tyson Fury in February 2024 represents a significant challenge and a chance to climb even higher in the heavyweight hierarchy.
Watch the official Usyk vs. Joshua 2 highlights: Watch
2. Terence Crawford
Terence Crawford remains a dominant figure in the welterweight division despite losing the IBF title due to sanctioning body decisions. His comprehensive victory over Spence Jr. was a showcase of a true boxing skill, as no one expected such a result. As Crawford contemplates future challenges, including potential bouts with Jermell Charlo or Canelo Alvarez, he remains a favorite in the division and a force to be reckoned with in the boxing world.
Watch the official Crawford vs. Spence highlights: Watch
1. Naoya Inoue
And the crown goes to Naoya Inoue, who solidified his dominance in the super bantamweight division with significant wins over Stephen Fulton and Marlon Tapales. Inoue’s remarkable victory against Marlon Tapales at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, achieved through a tenth-round knockout, marked him as a two-division undisputed champion and even further solidified his top spot in the rankings. This win, Inoue’s 19th KO in 21 world title fights, set a record for the highest KO rate in world title fight history at 90.4%.
Watch Naoya’s best combos and knockouts: Watch
What a year it’s been in the world of boxing! We’ve seen Naoya Inoue’s stunning knockout victories and Terence Crawford’s continued dominance, among many other highlights. But now, we want to hear from you. Who are your top 10 pound-for-pound boxers for this year? Share your list and thoughts in the comments below!