The Magno’s USA High 10 has been a Fourth of July custom for years, relationship again to even earlier than I began writing for FightHype.com. I can’t recall a time, nonetheless, when there’s been extra high-end, elite-level expertise packed into the higher echelons of the American combat scene. And, better of all, these prime fighters are literally (for probably the most half) making the legacy-defining bouts wanted to show their greatness.
So, right here I’m with my yearly stab at who’s who and who’s the place amongst American fighters. And, per normal disclaimer, that is all very subjective and 100% my viewpoint, primarily based on my tackle a fighter’s inherent expertise/ability, current physique of labor, and general resume. If you happen to disagree, good for you.
1. Shakur Stevenson (18-0, 9 KOs)
How’s this for a shakeup? The 25-year-old Stevenson didn’t even make the High 10 final yr and now he strikes on to the no. 1 spot. Properly, everybody knew that the child had excessive elite-level expertise and expertise, however his physique of labor had been sorely missing. The world was simply ready on Shakur to attain the sorts of wins, over the proper of opposition, to show he belonged among the many elite of the elite. This previous yr he did simply that with dominant world title wins over Jamel Herring and Oscar Valdez.
2. Errol Spence (28-0, 22 KOs)
“The Reality” managed to carry the no. 1 spot on this record two years in a row, however the lower-case reality is that he simply hasn’t been energetic sufficient to maintain that place in opposition to youthful, hungrier, more healthy contenders. Accidents and accidents have stored the 32-year-old from strengthening his legacy all that a lot, though his dominant stoppage of Yordenis Ugas in April to grabe a 3rd welterweight belt was very spectacular. If he manages to beat Terence Crawford within the rumored welterweight unification conflict later this yr, he’ll almost certainly take again a agency maintain on his outdated no. 1 slot.
3. Terence Crawford (38-0, 29 KOs)
It looks as if yearly WBO welterweight champ Crawford will get pegged with the identical criticism: “He could also be the most effective all-around fighter on this record, BUT he’s not energetic sufficient/hasn’t confronted a excessive sufficient stage of opposition.” This yr isn’t any totally different as his strong stoppage of Shawn Porter in November failed to maneuver the needle all that a lot within the “Crawford is the most effective” argument. If his rumored conflict with Errol Spence comes by and he can rating the key welterweight title-unifying victory, it’ll be onerous to not make him a agency no. 1 on this record.
4. Jermell Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs)
I’ll preserve saying this till it seeps into the boxing collective unconscious (or till I get uninterested in attempting), however what Jermell Charlo has executed at 154 is nearly criminally underappreciated by followers and media. Now a fully-unified 4-belt world champ at junior middleweight after stopping WBO titlist Brian Castano in a second go on the Argentine this previous Could, Charlo labored his approach to the very prime in a really old style method—by besting the most effective of the most effective in a proficient, aggressive division.
5. Gervonta Davis (27-0, 25 KOs)
“Tank” had a breakthrough run in 2020-2021 and appeared to be on the verge of residing as much as his full potential. Late-2021/2022, nonetheless, has been a little bit of a letdown as he eased again a bit on his stage of opposition and, within the face of a light-weight division filled with high-end expertise, opted to face restricted battler Isaac Cruz and the very restricted banger Rolando “Rolly” Romero. The 27-year-old’s expertise remains to be there and he continues to be probably the most bankable attracts within the sport (particularly amongst American fighters). Along with his explosive one-punch energy, he additionally continues to be probably the most thrilling fighters within the recreation. It’s simply that he’s received to step up the extent of his opposition.
6. Devin Haney (28-0, 15 KOs)
The 23-year-old Haney made some large strikes over the past yr or so. A strong win over Joseph Diaz Jr. in protection of his WBC light-weight title final December preceded June’s large win in Australia over 3-belt light-weight champ George Kambosos Jr. The victory made Haney the newest 4-belt, fully-unified world titlist and opened the door for attainable next-level stardom.
7. Jesse Rodriguez (16-0, 11 KOs)
22-year-old “Bam” Rodriguez is within the midst of a monstrous breakthrough run. 3-0 since final July 4th, the San Antonio, Texas native holds large world championship wins over Carlos Cuadras and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. The ability and magnificence he confirmed in stopping Sor Rungvisai, particularly, garnered a whole lot of consideration and earned him huge respect from many good boxing folks.
8. Stephen Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs)
If you happen to’re sleeping on the strikes “Cool Boy Steph” has been making the final couple years, disgrace on you. Along with his distinctive mixture of boxing potential and willingness to throw palms, Fulton unified the WBO and WBC tremendous bantamweight titles in a Battle of the 12 months-caliber battle with Brandon Figueroa final November after which efficiently defended his two belts final month in opposition to former unified champ Daniel Roman by way of one-sided education.
9. Jaron Ennis (29-0, 27 KOs)
“Boots” Ennis simply could be the should thrilling younger fighter within the recreation. Fast blowouts of the often sturdy Thomas Dulorme and Custio Clayton have added to the fame of the 25-year-old Philly fighter. Better of all, Ennis is rising simply as elite-level welters Errol Spence and Terence Crawford have peaked. Ennis must undergo one or each of them to get to the highest of the division—and that’s going to be nice.
10. David Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs)
Benavidez is a pleasure to observe and is likely one of the finest offensive fighters within the recreation. His brutal blowout of David Lemieux in Could was a testomony to his leisure worth. The issue is his continued lack of greatness-defining opposition—an issue that doesn’t appear to be going away any time quickly. Sure, that downside could also be attributable to others’ unwillingness to face the danger vs. reward dilemma he presents, however it’s nonetheless an issue affecting his profession nonetheless. Like different averted fighters, he’s simply going to should make some concessions and sacrifices to discover a approach to get the massive fights he wants (in addition to cease sabotaging his personal profession progress).
