Naoya Inoue drops to No. 3 in latest P4P boxing rankings

Naoya Inoue has slipped to third place in the latest men's pound-for-pound boxing rankings released this week. The Japanese star, who held a top-two spot for much of 2025, now trails Oleksandr Usyk and Canelo Alvarez in the updated list. The shift comes despite Inoue's recent dominant performances in the super bantamweight division.

How did Oleksandr Usyk reclaim the No. 1 spot?

Usyk returned to the summit after successfully defending his undisputed heavyweight titles against Daniel Dubois in June. His victory, marked by precise body work and a late stoppage, reminded voters of his elite skill across divisions. The Ukrainian's ability to unify belts and defend them against credible challengers weighed heavily in the panel's decision.

What keeps Canelo Alvarez ahead of Inoue?

Alvarez holds second place due to his recent undisputed super middleweight reign and activity in 2025. Though critics note his opposition level, his wins over William Scull and a rematch victory over Gilberto Ramirez kept him ahead in voter consensus. Inoue's lack of fights outside Japan since 2023 remains a factor in the rankings.

Where does Inoue stand in the super bantamweight division?

Despite the P4P drop, Inoue remains the undisputed champion at 122 pounds. He holds all four major belts after stopping Marlon Tapales in December 2023. No mandatory challenger has emerged, and Inoue has expressed interest in moving up to featherweight later in 2026.

• Naoya Inoue is currently ranked No. 3 in the pound-for-pound listings
• Oleksandr Usyk is No. 1, Canelo Alvarez is No. 2
• Inoue holds all four super bantamweight world titles
• His last fight was a TKO win over Marlon Tapales on Dec 26, 2023

Naoya Inoue will likely need a high-profile fight outside Japan to climb back into the top two.