Of the seventeen weight classes, the boxers were eventually separated through recent top-level achievement and longevity.
We begin our countdown in descending order.
17. Ken Shiro (light-flyweight)
Shiro’s May victory over Ganigan Lopez was wafer-thin and sees the Japanese fighter enter the ratings at the final spot.
16. Daigo Higa (flyweight)
Higa claimed the vacant crown in June with an impressive stoppage of Juan Hernandez to take 16th place.
15. David Benavidez (super-middleweight)
Widely regarding as a future star, David Benavidez took the crown – formerly owned by Badou Jack, via a close points win over Ronald Gavril and now stands on the verge of a rematch in a bid to rubberstamp his initial win.
14. Rey Vargas (super-bantamweight)
Claiming the title in February by defeating Gavin McDonnell, Vargas has since made a successful defense against Ronny Rios.
13. Jermell Charlo (super-welterweight)
Charlo puts his green and gold strap on the line for the first time this weekend in what looks to be the American’s toughest test to date against Erickson Lubin.
12. Mairis Briedis (cruiserweight)
Briedis has shown great strength in moving to the top of the WBC pile at 200 pounds and recently defeated Mike Perez to advance to the World Boxing Super Series semi-finals.
11. Luis Nery (bantamweight)**
A ruling over a failed drugs test hangs over Nery, who at the very least faces an immediate rematch with Shinsuke Yamanaka should the ex-title holder want to return to the ring.
Failing that, Nery has to prove his superb triumph in Japan, where he halted Yamanaka in four rounds, wasn’t down to an unfair advantage.
10. Gary Russell (featherweight)
Just three fights in three years has stunted Russell’s real progress on the world stage, whilst a big unification with either Lee Selby, Abner Mares or Leo Santa Cruz contnues to elude the champion.
9. Adonis Stevenson (light-heavyweight)
Once recognised as the major WBC title holder in the world and a top five star pound for pound, Stevenson has since watched from the sidelines as a massive fight between Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev overshadowed the division.
8. Miguel Berchelt (super-featherweight)
Superb back-to-back victories over Francisco Vargas and Takashi Miura have pushed Berchelt to the forefront of being recognised as one of the best fighters in the world, whilst a sole defeat to Luis Florez has long been forgotten.
7. Deontay Wilder (heavyweight)
A host of title defenses have kept Wilder relevant and in touching distance of a unification with Anthony Joshua ahead of a forthcoming rematch with Bermane Stiverne.
6. Wanheng Menayothin (minimumweight)
A 48-0 record, not to mention a reign stretching back to 2014, has elevated Wanheng to being one of the top stars in Asia and keeps him riding high in the P4P standings.
5. Srisaket Rungvisai (super-flyweight)
Rungvisai shocked the world, not once but twice against Roman Gonzalez in what was a breakout double for the Thai fighter, whose next move is being monitered very closely.
4. Keith Thurman (welterweight)
A unified king at 147 pounds, Thurman has taken Floyd Mayweather’s welterweight mantle and has plenty of opportunities to further his reputation upon return from injury in 2018.
3. Mikey Garcia (lightweight)
Already a world champion at different weight classes, Mikey Garcia is currently contemplating a move up to anywhere between 140 anf 154 pounds.
2. Terence Crawford (super-lightweight)
Like Garcia, Terence Crawford has outgrown his division and is ready to launch an assault on the welterweight limit soon.
1. Gennady Golovkin (middleweight)
Without doubt the number one fighter on the planet now that Ward has retired, Golovkin is gearing up for another helping of a super-fight with Canelo Alvarez in 2018.
