Deontay Wilder not in top 50 for first time in a decade

On the back of the controversial Devin Haney win over Vasiliy Lomachenko, many boxing fans thought that Loma had done enough to win the fight. World Boxing News’ certainly thought so, as they have moved the Ukranian back into the top ten, leapfrogging Haney in the process.

Explaining their decision to remove Deontay Wilder from their list, it would seem that it is more down to his inactivity rather than any slight on his punch power. The Bronze Bomber has won only one bout in three and a half years, and seems to have no interest in the mandatory WBC eliminator against Andy Ruiz.

Several months ago, Anthony Joshua had already been removed, meaning that both former heavyweight champions, holders of four of the five belts in the sport, are now no longer seriously considered pound for pound kings.

The men who took their belts, however, are, with Oleksandr Usyk as the reigning number one pound for pound fighter on the list and Tyson Fury at 14.

Boxing’s Pound for Pound Rankings: May 2023