1. Errol Spence - While the IBF/WBC champion's condition remains shrouded in mystery following a self-inflicted car crash, Spence's tremendous 2019 campaign featuring wins over then-WBC champ Shawn Porter and four-division title holder Mikey Garcia earned him the top spot. Here's hoping Spence was serious when he tweeted he would fight Crawford in 2020.
2. Terence Crawford- He'd probably beat Spence if they fought, but rankings are weighted more towards accomplishments than to potential or even apparent skill. The WBO champ very well may be the most skilled boxer in the game, but his 2019 consisted of wins over the vastly overrated Amir Khan plus underrated Egidijus Kavaliauskas not up to par with Spence's year.
3. Shawn Porter- His last three outings were wins over two top ten guys, Danny Garcia and Yordenis Ugas, plus a competitive loss to Spence. An easy choice for the third spot.
4. Manny Pacquiao- The ageless Pacquiao gained the WBA title by handing Keith Thurman his first career loss, and he also beat Adrian Broner in early 2019. Not bad for a 41 year-old senator.
5. Yordenis Ugas- Rebounded from a loss vs. Porter with a win over previously unbeaten Omar Figueroa. This Cuban has been thrown in tough, and has won nine of his last ten, with the loss coming to Porter.
6. Vergil Ortiz - Perhaps this rating is a bit high compared to the Texan's resume, but he's been stepping up his opposition level with each fight. In August, he dominated and stopped Antonio Orozco, who had previously gone the distance with 140-pound title holder Jose Carlos Ramirez.
7. Danny Garcia -The former two-division champ hasn't had a top quality win in several years now. We'll reevaluate him after January 25th's outing against Ivan Redkach.
8. Keith Thurman- The former WBA/WBC champion has only one loss, and that's to future Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao, but he looked shaky vs. Josesito Lopez, and there are legitimate questions about his physical capabilities after elbow and should injuries.
9. Mikey Garcia - He has zero wins at 140 or 147 pounds, so this ranking can be legitimately debated. We'll see how he does vs. Jessie Vargas at the end of February.
10. Egidijus Kavaliauskas - Gave Terence Crawford a rough night and holds a valuable 2018 win over David Avanesyan.
11. Kudratillo Abdukakhorov - A nightmare for announcers as well as opponents, this 17-0 Uzbeki punished proud ex-champ Luis Collazo last time out and has consistently beaten a very respectable level of boxers
12. Sergey Lipinets - Former IBF 140-pound champ retired Lamont Peterson last year; only loss is to Mikey Garcia.
13. Alexander Besputin* - Took a big step forward with a November win over fellow undefeated Rahdzab Butaev. *Ranking under review due to PED issues.
14. David Avanesyan - After losing to Kavaliauskas in 2018, this Russian had a huge 2019, winning and defending the European championship in the hometown of Spain's highly regarded Kermin Lejarraga.
15. Jesse Vargas - His ranking is beginning to slip with only one fight in 2019, but Vargas gets his oppotunity in February vs. Mikey Garcia.
16. Jamal James - Minnesotan has six wins in a row since 2016 loss to Yordenis Ugas.
17. Thomas Dulorme - Puerto Rican only fought once in 2019 but it was a win over previously unbeaten Terrell Williams.
18. Sebastian Formella - Little-known German had a huge win in July, gaining the IBO title vs. previously undefeated and highly touted Thulani Mbenge.
19. Ray Robinson - Needs a win to stay in top twenty. Last two fights were draws with Egidijus Kavilauskas and Josh Kelly.
20. Jaron Ennis - This weekend's win over Bakhtiyar Eyubov lets the Philadelphian sneak into the top twenty. He's fought weaker competition than those rated above him, but he's likeyy be the favorite vs. the majority of #11-19 in the welterweight top twenty.
Others: Omar Figueroa, Andre Berto (inactivity), Ivan Redkach, Amir Khan, Adrian Broner, Anthony “Juice” Young, Rashidi Ellis, Chris Van Heerden, Josh Kelly, Luis Collazo, Robert Guerrero, Josesito Lopez, Alessandro Riguccini, Taras Shelestyuk (added Jan. 2020)
Biggest disappointment: Crawford's inability to land a legacy-building fight; Thurman's difficulties in returning to top form; and of course, the wasted potential of Adrian Broner.
