The sweet science has a new pound-for-pound king, and honestly, we all saw it coming. Naoya Inoue has officially claimed the top spot in Uncrowned’s latest rankings for September 2026, pushing Oleksandr Usyk off the mountain after a reign that felt like it would never end. It’s a massive shift in the boxing world, driven by Usyk’s surprising performance and even stranger career decisions.
Oleksandr Usyk’s Unbelievable Slip and the End of an Era
For years, Usyk was simply too much for anyone in front of him, dominating the best cruiserweights and heavyweights the sport had to offer. But can you believe what went down this past spring? He went toe-to-toe with Rico Verhoeven, a legitimate “one-fight novice,” beneath the stunning Pyramids of Giza, and dude got a controversial victory after a full ten-round struggle. That aura of invincibility, the one that made beating him seem like solving an impossible jigsaw puzzle, suddenly looked like a two-piece snap. Boxing is an unforgiving sport, and that single performance alone cost Usyk his place at the top.
But it gets wilder. Usyk is one of the greatest fighters of this generation, undisputed at cruiserweight and heavyweight with a star-studded résumé. It’s hard not to be a fan, but in 2026, his legacy seems set, and it looks like he is clearly no longer interested in being a champion or proving he is still the best. He vacated his WBO title last November instead of fighting mandatory challenger Fabio Wardley. Then, in June, his other three belts went up in the air. Why? So he could chase a fight with Deontay Wilder, whose best days are long past him, instead of facing Agit Kabayel, the most proven new contender at heavyweight in recent years. Usyk is in the final stage of his career, and frankly, who can blame him for not wanting to fight the top guys anymore? He has accomplished everything he could dream of.
Naoya Inoue’s Dominant Ascent to the Throne
While Usyk was making puzzling choices, Naoya Inoue was busy building an undeniable case for the top spot. The “Monster” scored one of the top wins of his career in May when he absolutely outclassed Junto Nakatani in what became the biggest Japanese boxing match in history. Fighting at the Tokyo Dome, Inoue built up an early lead, weathered a rally from Nakatani in the second half, and finished strong to leave with all four of his belts intact. He is the undisputed super bantamweight champion, and not just that, he’s one of only three fighters in men’s boxing history to become undisputed in two weight classes! This guy is a flagship fighter of this era, for real.
The boxing world usually quiets down in August, but this year was chaotic, even seeing Dina Thorslund and Chantelle Cameron get significant boosts on the women’s side. But the big story is Inoue. He’s taking the rest of 2026 off, letting his body recover, but 2027 is looking huge. He could be headed for another mega-fight with Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez. If that doesn’t materialize, a move to featherweight to become a five-division champion is definitely on the table. That’s why the “Monster” is sitting atop the P4P list today.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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