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Inoue Dominates 2025 Rankings, Anticipates Nakatani Showdown

1/1/2026

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Summary

Inoue Dominates Rankings

Naoya Inoue, the four-division champion from Japan, ended 2025 atop the pound-for-pound rankings.
His four-win 2025 included a victory over Alan Picasso and a fourth Ring title defense, with no knockout.
Oleksandr Usyk fought only once in 2025.
He finished the year as a top contender after Crawford's retirement, aided by a KO over Dubois.
Boxing fans expect a 2026 clash between Inoue and Junto Nakatani, a fellow Japanese fighter.

Summary

Crawford Retires Victorious

Terence Crawford announced his retirement after a dominant victory over Canelo Alvarez, leaving a 42-0 record.
Crawford's victory earned Boxing Insider's 2025 Fighter of the Year.
Naoya Inoue also had a successful year, providing strong competition.
Andre Ward supports Crawford's retirement, citing his achievements and questioning the need for more fights.
The boxing community is speculating about a possible return against Floyd Mayweather.

History

Historical Context

Muhammad Ali's retirement in 1976 marked the end of an era, as he left the ring with a record of 56 wins and 5 losses, significantly boosting boxing's popularity. Similarly, Terence Crawford's recent retirement with a perfect 42-0 record echoes Ali's legacy, highlighting the competitive spirit that defines boxing. This shift may pave the way for new rivalries, reminiscent of Ali's influence on future champions.

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Inoue Dominates Rankings

Naoya Inoue, the four-division champion from Japan, ended 2025 atop the pound-for-pound rankings.
His four-win 2025 included a victory over Alan Picasso and a fourth Ring title defense, with no knockout.
Oleksandr Usyk fought only once in 2025.
He finished the year as a top contender after Crawford's retirement, aided by a KO over Dubois.
Boxing fans expect a 2026 clash between Inoue and Junto Nakatani, a fellow Japanese fighter.

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