Dmitry Bivol executed a masterful revenge victory over Artur Beterbiev on February 22, claiming the undisputed light-heavyweight championship via majority decision in Riyadh. The 34-year-old Russian has now catapulted to fourth place in the pound-for-pound rankings, leapfrogging both Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and Beterbiev himself.
Bivol's rise comes after securing banner wins over both men, cementing his status among boxing's elite. His technical performance in Saudi Arabia showcased why he's now considered one of the sport's premier talents.
Meanwhile, Oleksandr Usyk continues to reign supreme atop the pound-for-pound mountain. The Ukrainian warrior confirmed his status as boxing's best after regaining the unified heavyweight championship with a unanimous decision win over Tyson Fury last December.
Interestingly, only Naoya Inoue and Terence Crawford stand between Bivol and the top spot in the rankings. Crawford appears headed for his own superfight against Alvarez, which could further shake up the standings.
What's next for Bivol? Either a trilogy bout against Beterbiev or a potential showdown with 12th-ranked David Benevidez would give the Russian a strong case to climb even higher in the rankings.
Further down the list, Gervonta Davis barely clings to his ninth position following a controversial majority draw with Lamont Roach Jr. The fighter known as 'Tank' needs an immediate rematch victory to maintain his elite status.
At 37, Usyk has essentially "completed boxing" as the first fighter since Evander Holyfield over 30 years ago to become undisputed champion in both cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. Despite giving away significant height and reach advantages to today's heavyweight giants, the former Olympic gold medalist has conquered all challenges.
His impressive résumé includes victories over Mairis Briedis, Murat Gassiev, Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, and Tyson Fury. Can anyone dethrone boxing's pound-for-pound king in 2025?
