play2:52Oleksandr Usyk unanimously defeats Tyson Fury in rematchOleksandr Usyk retains the heavyweight championship with another decision victory over Tyson Fury on Saturday, this time unanimously in an epic rematch.
play1:01The numbers behind Bivol’s rematch victory against BeterbievTake a look at the statistics from Dmitry Bivol’s win against Artur Beterbiev.
play1:08Alimkhanuly lands two ferocious shots for TKO winJanibek Alimkhanuly wins in stunning style over Anauel Ngamissengue in the fifth round.
Andreas HaleJan 6, 2026, 07:59 AM ETCloseAndreas Hale is a combat sports reporter at ESPN. Andreas covers MMA, boxing and pro wrestling. In Andreas’ free time, he plays video games, obsesses over music and is a White Sox and 49ers fan. He is also a host for Sirius XM’s Fight Nation. Before joining ESPN, Andreas was a senior writer at DAZN and Sporting News. He started his career as a music journalist for outlets including HipHopDX, The Grammys and Jay-Z’s Life+Times. He is also an NAACP Image Award-nominated filmmaker as a producer for the animated short film “Bridges” in 2024.Follow on X
Oleksandr Usyk unanimously defeats Tyson Fury in rematchOleksandr Usyk retains the heavyweight championship with another decision victory over Tyson Fury on Saturday, this time unanimously in an epic rematch.
Oleksandr Usyk retains the heavyweight championship with another decision victory over Tyson Fury on Saturday, this time unanimously in an epic rematch.
The numbers behind Bivol’s rematch victory against BeterbievTake a look at the statistics from Dmitry Bivol’s win against Artur Beterbiev.
Alimkhanuly lands two ferocious shots for TKO winJanibek Alimkhanuly wins in stunning style over Anauel Ngamissengue in the fifth round.
3. Chris Billam-Smith Previous ranking: 3
10. Robin Sirwan Safar Previous ranking: NR
7. Jose Armando Resendiz Previous ranking: 9
1. Janibek Alimkhanuly Previous ranking: 1
7. Anauel Ngamissengue Previous ranking: 7
10. Yoenli Hernandez Previous ranking: 10
9. Souleymane Cissokho Previous ranking: 9
2. Richardson Hitchins Previous ranking: 2
5. Gary Antuanne Russell Previous ranking: 5
5. Luis Alberto Lopez Previous ranking: 5
10. Nathaniel Collins Previous ranking: 9
3. Murodjon Akhmadaliev Previous ranking: 3
5. Willibaldo Garcia Perez Previous ranking: 7
10. Rene Calixto Bibiano Previous ranking: 10
5. Anthony Olascuaga Previous ranking: NR
4. Knockout CP Freshmart Previous ranking: 4
5. Erik Badillo Mares Previous ranking: 5
The end of 2025 saw some movement as a former heavyweight champion made his way back into the rankings and an undisputed champion cemented his dominance, while a future opponent wasn’t quite as impressive in his divisional debut.
Anthony Joshua got back to his winning ways with a knockout win over Jake Paul on Dec. 19. Joshua, who had been out of action since losing by knockout to Daniel Dubois in 2024, returned to the rankings at No. 6. The highly anticipated all U.K. showdown with Tyson Fury appears to finally have some motion as “The Gypsy King” announced his return to the ring and their clash could happen before the end of the year.
ESPN’s divisional boxing rankings highlight the best in the sport in every weight class. Rankings will change based on recent results and performances. Fighters who have announced they are moving to a different weight class will be ranked in that new division, if warranted, only once they fight in that weight class. Fighters who currently own titles in two divisions can be ranked in both.
Fighters who haven’t competed in the past 12 months — and don’t have a fight scheduled — will be dropped from the rankings until they fight again. Any fighter who tests positive for a performance-enhancing substance will also be removed. That boxer will be eligible to reenter the rankings after his next bout.
For a list of the current champions in all weight classes, click here. For ESPN women’s divisional rankings, click here.
Oleksandr Usyk unanimously defeats Tyson Fury in rematch
The numbers behind Bivol’s rematch victory against Beterbiev
Take a look at the statistics from Dmitry Bivol’s win against Artur Beterbiev.
Editor’s note: Terence Crawford announced his retirement in December and has been removed from the rankings.
Janibek Alimkhanuly wins in stunning style over Anauel Ngamissengue in the fifth round.
Record: 24-1-1, 18 KOs Last: D (Split draw 12) Hamzah Sheeraz, Feb. 22 Next: Jan. 31 vs. Austin Williams
Editor’s note: Tim Tszyu has moved up to the middleweight division. Bakhram Murtazaliev has been removed for inactivity.
Record: 29-2-2, 18 KOs Last: Draw (Majority draw 12) Manny Pacquiao, July 19 Next: Feb. 21 vs. Ryan Garcia
Editor’s note: Junto Nakatani has moved up to the junior featherweigh division. Roman Gonzalez, Juan Francisco Estrada and Emmanuel Rodriguez have been removed for inactivity.
Editor’s note: Kosei Tanaka retired and has been removed. KJ Cataraja has been removed for inactivity.
Naoya Inoue was his usual dominant self as he earned a wide unanimous decision win over David Picasso on Dec. 27 to defend his undisputed junior featherweight crown, cementing his No. 1 spot in the division. He picked up his fourth win of 2025 and is now set for a collision course with Junto Nakatani in early 2026. Meanwhile, Nakatani wasn’t quite as impressive in his junior featherweight debut as he narrowly squeezed past Sebastian Hernandez in the co-main event. Nakatani debuts at No. 4 at junior featherweight. Whether it was the move up in weight or an extremely determined and underrated opponent has yet to be determined. But the win secures one of the biggest showdowns in Japanese boxing history.
6. Arnold Barboza Jr. Previous ranking: 6
10. Lamont Roach Jr. Previous ranking: 10
4. Francisco Rodriguez Jr. Previous ranking: 4
CloseAndreas Hale is a combat sports reporter at ESPN. Andreas covers MMA, boxing and pro wrestling. In Andreas’ free time, he plays video games, obsesses over music and is a White Sox and 49ers fan. He is also a host for Sirius XM’s Fight Nation. Before joining ESPN, Andreas was a senior writer at DAZN and Sporting News. He started his career as a music journalist for outlets including HipHopDX, The Grammys and Jay-Z’s Life+Times. He is also an NAACP Image Award-nominated filmmaker as a producer for the animated short film “Bridges” in 2024.Follow on X
The holiday season is normally slow in boxing but not this year.
Heavyweight – Cruiserweight – Light heavyweight – Super middleweight – Middleweight – Junior middleweight – Welterweight – Junior welterweight – Lightweight – Junior lightweight – Featherweight – Junior featherweight – Bantamweight – Junior bantamweight – Flyweight – Junior flyweight – Strawweight
Record: 24-0, 15 KOs Last: W (KO5) Daniel Dubois, July 19 Next: TBA
Record: 34-2-1, 24 KOs Last: L (UD12) Oleksandr Usyk, Dec. 21 Next: TBA
Record: 22-3, 21 KOs Last: L (KO5) Oleksandr Usyk, July 19 Next: TBA
Record: 20-0-1, 19 KOs Last: W (TKO11) Joseph Parker, Oct. 25 Next: TBA
Record: 36-4, 24 KOs Last: L (TKO11) Fabio Wardley, Oct. 25 Next: TBA
Record: 29-4, 26 KOs Last: W (KO6) Jake Paul, Dec. 19 Next: TBA
Record: 26-0, 18 KOs Last: W (KO6) Zhilei Zhang, Feb. 22 Next: Jan. 10 vs. Damian Knyba
Record: 19-1, 14 KOs Last: W (UD10) David Adeleye, Aug. 16 Next: TBA
Record: 27-3-1, 22 KOs Last: L (KO6) Agit Kabayel, Feb. 22 Next: TBA
Editor’s note: Andy Ruiz Jr. has been removed for inactivity.
Record: 29-0, 23 KOs Last: W (KO8) Huseyin Cinkara, Dec. 6 Next: TBA
Record: 46-1, 30 KOs Last: W (UD12) Yuniel Dorticos, June 28 Next: Jan. 16 vs. Robin Sirwan Safar
Record: 21-2, 13 KOs Last: W (UD12) Brandon Glanton, April 26 Next: TBA
Record: 28-3, 12 KOs Last: W (UD12) Badou Jack, Dec. 13 Next: TBA
Record: 29-4-3, 17 KOs Last: L (UD12) Noel Mikaelian, Dec. 13 Next: TBA
Record: 19-1, 17 KOs Last: W (UD10) Miljan Rovcanin, July 19 Next: TBA
Record: 28-2, 22 KOs Last: W (TKO4) Jean Pascal, June 28 Next: TBA
Record: 18-0, 11 KOs Last: W (KO8) Jeison Troncoso, Dec. 19 Next: TBA
Record: 13-0, 7 KOs Last: W (UD12) Cheavon Clarke, April 26 Next: TBA
Record: 19-0, 13 KOs Last: W (UD10) Derick Miller Jr., Nov. 8 Next: TBA
Editor’s note: Ryan Rozicki and Yamil Alberto Peralta have been removed for inactivity.
Record: 24-1, 12 KOs Last: W (MD12) Artur Beterbiev, Feb. 22 Next: TBA
Record: 21-1, 20 KOs Last: L (MD12) Dmitry Bivol, Feb. 22 Next: TBA
Record: 31-0, 25 KOs Last: W (TKO7) Anthony Yarde, Nov. 22 Next: TBA
Record: 31-2, 22 KOs Last: W (UD12) Joshua Buatsi, Feb. 22 Next: TBA
Record: 12-1, 9 KOs Last: W (SD12) Imam Khataev, July 12 Next: TBA
Record: 11-1, 10 KOs Last: W (KO3) Adam Deines, Dec. 11 Next: TBA
Record: 21-2, 17 KOs Last: W (KO3) Anthony Hollaway, April 19 Next: TBA
Record: 22-0, 19 KOs Last: W (TKO7) Jerome Pampellone, Aug. 8 Next: Feb. 5 vs. TBA
Record: 20-1, 13 KOs Last: W (MD10) Zach Parker, Nov. 1 Next: TBA
Record: 63-3-2, 39 KOs Last: L (UD12) Terence Crawford, Sept. 13 Next: TBA
Record: 22-0-1, 18 KOs Last: W (KO5) Edgar Berlanga, July 12 Next: TBA
Record: 29-0-1, 24 KOs Last: D (Split draw 10) Lester Martinez, Sept. 13 Next: TBA
Record: 19-0-1, 16 KOs Last: D (Split draw 10) Christian Mbilli, Sept. 13 Next: TBA
Record: 25-0, 18 KOs Last: W (UD12) Kevin Lele Sadjo, Dec. 13 Next: TBA
Record: 34-0, 23 KOs Last: W (TKO6) Thomas LaManna, May 31 Next: TBA
Record: 16-2, 11 KOs Last: W (SD12) Caleb Plant, May 31 Next: TBA
Record: 14-0, 13 KOs Last: W (TKO8) Vladimir Shishkin, Sept. 4 Next: TBA
Record: 23-2, 14 KOs Last: L (SD12) Jose Armando Resendiz, March 31 Next: TBA
Record: 23-2, 18 KOs Last: L (KO5) Hamzah Sheeraz, July 12 Next: TBA
Record: 17-0, 12 KOs Last: W (TKO5) Anauel Ngamissengue, April 5 Next: TBA
Record: 32-3-3, 19 KOs Last: W (UD12) Johan Gonzales, Dec. 6 Next: TBA
Record: 24-1, 19 KOs Last: W (UD12) Shane Mosley Jr., Dec. 6 Next: TBA
Record: 23-1, 14 KOs Last: W (UD12) Chris Eubank Jr., Nov. 15 Next: TBA
