Devin Haney Rejects Naoya Inoue as No. 1, Backs Oleksandr Usyk

Haney questions pound-for-pound rankings, pointing to Usyk’s heavyweight record

Devin Haney says Oleksandr Usyk remains boxing’s pound-for-pound No.1 following Naoya Inoue’s win over Junto Nakatani. Haney pointed to Usyk’s record at heavyweight as the reason for his stance.

The Level of Opposition

Haney’s primary issue with the current rankings is the quality of the resumes. He argued that Usyk’s body of work in the heavier divisions carries more weight than Inoue’s recent string of defenses at 122 pounds.

“That list is some BS man. I think Usyk is still number one,” said Haney to InsideRingShow, disagreeing with Inoue being ranked #1 in the Ring Magazine pound-for-pound list.

Haney pointed to Nakatani’s recent struggle against Sebastian Hernandez as evidence that the victory might not be as significant as it looks on paper. To Haney, beating a fighter who is coming off a hard night against an unknown opponent does not compare to Usyk’s run through the giants of the heavyweight division.

Usyk’s Heavyweight Pedigree

The argument for Usyk is rooted in his ability to overcome massive physical disadvantages. Since moving up from cruiserweight, he has dismantled Anthony Joshua twice, stopped Daniel Dubois, and outpointed Tyson Fury to become the undisputed heavyweight champion.

Usyk consistently gives up 40 to 50 pounds in weight and several inches in reach. Many fans view this as the ultimate expression of pound-for-pound skill. In contrast, critics like Haney feel Inoue is staying in a comfortable environment at super-bantamweight rather than testing himself against the elite at 126 pounds.

The 126 Pound Question

While Inoue has been busy defending his undisputed status, the featherweight division is currently filled with dangerous fighters. Names like Rafael Espinosa, Bruce Carrington, Angelo Leo, and Brandon Figueroa represent a physical gauntlet that Inoue has yet to run.

Some observers suggest that Inoue’s decision to stay at 122 pounds reflects a lack of desire to face the height and reach of the 126-pound champions. At featherweight, he wouldn’t just be the smaller man skill-wise; he would be facing fighters who can take his power and dish it back.

The Breakdown

The P4P list is often a choice between activity and historical significance.

• Inoue: 28 consecutive title fight wins and two-weight undisputed status.
• Usyk: Undisputed in two of the most prestigious divisions while remaining unbeaten.

As the 2026 boxing season progresses, the gap between the two is narrowing. Inoue provides the frequent highlights, but Usyk has the scalps of the biggest men in the sport. Until one of them loses or Inoue makes the jump to featherweight, the debate will likely continue to split the boxing world.

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