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Pound for pound update January 2020: a new name at the top

By Matthew Saljanin

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (C), WBA Super title holder, celebrates winning his WBO light heavyweight title bout. (Photo by Valery SharifulinTASS via Getty Images)
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (C), WBA Super title holder, celebrates winning his WBO light heavyweight title bout. (Photo by Valery SharifulinTASS via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images
Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images /

8. Juan Francisco Estrada

Record: 40-3, 27 KOs

Previous Ranking: N/A

Probably the most underrated on this list, Estrada is one of the best fighters in the sport, but is overlooked by many because he fights in the lower weight classes that, for some reason, do not get covered as much as they should.

His biggest win since our last ranking came in April of 2019, when he was able to avenge his loss to Sor Rungvisai. While he was the beneficiary of a highly questionable game plan from Sor Rungvisai (who inexplicably switched stances to start the fight), he still capitalized on the poor strategy of his opponent, which is what great fighters do. It was a fantastic fight, which saw Estrada earn a well deserved unanimous decision victory.

With his loss avenged, he took over the top spot in one of the deepest divisions in the sport. Sor Rungvisai was ranked No. 5 on our last list, and Estrada was an honorable mention, so this ranking should not come as a surprise. That win alone would be enough to put him in the discussion of the top 10, but the rest of his resume is stellar, including wins over Carlos Cuadras and unified super-flyweight champion Brian Viloria.

The 115 pounds division is deep, and if Estrada continues to win against the top guys in the division, he will find his way to be even higher on this list. Hopefully the third fight with Sor Rungvisai happens in 2020, since both of their fights were phenomenal.

While it would not be the easiest fight to make considering they are currently one weight class apart, if Estrada and Naoya Inoue could somehow make a deal, that would be a special fight.

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