ERROL SPENCE JR has been ranked as the best welterweight boxer in the world by Ring Magazine.
The 29-year-old finished above fellow American Terence Crawford – who he has agreed to fight to all-but unify the division.
The two 147lbs kings have agreed to settle their differences in the ring after Crawford called out Spence in a furious rant.
They have wanted to fight each other since Crawford, 32, moved up from super-lightweight and became the WBO champion in 2017.
Unbeaten Spence, who has held the IBF title since May 2017 and the WBC title since September 2019, boasts an incredible record 26 wins from 21 knockouts.
Crawford, with a record of 36 wins from 27 knockouts and no defeats, came in at second place ahead of their blockbuster bout.
He most recently beat Bolton hero Amir Kahn before he cruised past Egidijus Kavaliauskas with a ninth round knockout.
Amir Kahn was pulled out of his fight with Terence Crawford after a low blowCredit: Getty Images – Getty
In third place for Ring Magazine sits Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao.
The boxing veteran remains a dominant figure in the 147lb division despite turning 41 in December.
He has been tipped to take on Danny Garcia next as he looks to build on his remarkable 62-7-2 record.
America continued to dominate the rankings as Keith Thurman, 31, was named in fourth.
The former unified welterweight champion has only suffered one defeat in 29 bouts -which came against Pacquiao last year.
In fifth place sits is another American – Shawn Porter.
The former two-time welterweight world champion, 32, has won 30 fights – but been beaten by Spence Jr, Thurman and Kell Brook.
Manny Pacquiao has suffered seven defeats in his illustrious careerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Former two-division champion Garcia will be looking to move up the rankings from sixth if he secures the showdown with Pacquiao.
He has just two defeats on his record after 35 fights, which came against Porter and Thurman.
Speaking to the Fighthype.com, he said: “Manny Pacquiao is a legend. I respect him but Danny Garcia is a legend killer.”
Cuban star Yordenis Ugas (24-4-0), Uzbek professional Kudratillo Abdukakhorov (17-0-0), Russian hard-hitter Sergey Lipinets (16-1-0) and Lithuanian hard-man Egidijius Kavaliauskas (12-1-1) occupy the rest of the top 10.
Keith Thurman finished in fourth after his defeat to Manny Pacquiao last summerCredit: AP:Associated Press
Anthony Joshua blasted as ‘hypocrite’ after he criticised Fury for hit-and-move tactics, the same used against Ruiz Jr
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
