In boxing, one of the greatest wins can be when a fighter is bold enough to step up against a higher division. Terence Crawford is already creating history by leaping two divisions to take on Canelo Alvarez on September 13 in Las Vegas. If he emerges victorious, it will seal his place as one of the all-time greats from this generation.
But Crawford is not the only one who would gain from moving up. Here are seven boxers who would profit the most from entering a new weight division for greater opportunities, better paychecks, and legacy-making fights.
Boxers who can move up a weight division and build a legacy
1. Canelo Alvarez – From Super Middleweight to Light Heavyweight
Current Weight Division: 168 lbs (Super Middleweight)
Suggested New Weight Division: 175 lbs (Light Heavyweight)
If Canelo beats Crawford, he will have very little left to demonstrate at 168. Returning to light heavyweight provides him with marquee bouts against David Benavidez, Artur Beterbiev, or even a rematch against Dmitry Bivol. A bout against Benavidez, specifically, would be able to become one of the largest all-Mexican fights in the history of boxing.
2. Jai Opetaia – From Cruiserweight to Heavyweight
Current Weight Division: 200 lbs (Cruiserweight)
Proposed New Weight Division: Heavyweight
Opetaia has already ruled the cruiserweight division. What’s the next natural step? A switch to heavyweight, just like Oleksandr Usyk. A possible bout against Daniel Dubois, Joseph Parker, or Andy Ruiz Jr. would be a huge draw. And if Usyk is still competing, a champion-vs-champion bout would be a monolithic fight.
3. Teofimo Lopez – Junior Welterweight to Welterweight/Super Welterweight
Current Weight Division: 140 lbs (Junior Welterweight)
Suggested New Weight Classes: 147 lbs (Welterweight) / 154 lbs (Super Welterweight)
Lopez is already a two-division champion, yet a move up to welterweight might unlock mega-fights with Devin Haney or Brian Norman Jr. If he’s ambitious, a move up to super welterweight for a fight with Jaron “Boots” Ennis could be a career-defining moment. Defeating Ennis would put Lopez amongst the sports’ all-time greats.
4. Gervonta “Tank” Davis – Lightweight to Welterweight
Current Weight Class: 135 lbs (Lightweight)
New Proposed Weight Class: 147 lbs (Welterweight)
As one of boxing’s stars, Davis requires headliner fights to cement his legacy. Stepping up two weight classes to fight legends such as Manny Pacquiao would create huge pay-per-view revenue. With Pacquiao remaining competitive despite his last draw against Mario Barrios, this bout would be both a people’s choice and a box-office smash.
5. Shakur Stevenson – Lightweight to Junior Welterweight
Current Weight Division: 135 lbs (Lightweight)
Proposed New Weight Division: 140 lbs (Junior Welterweight)
Stevenson is the greatest pure boxer in the world now, but lacks big-name opponents at lightweight. A move up to junior welterweight provides access to bouts against Teofimo Lopez, Richardson Hitchins, and Subriel Matias. These opponents would provide him with the widespread recognition his abilities merit.
6. Junto Nakatani – Bantamweight to Super Bantamweight
Current Division: 118 lbs (Bantamweight)
New Proposed Division: 122 lbs (Super Bantamweight)
A super bantamweight move provides the backdrop for what may be the greatest Japanese boxing fight of all time—Nakatani vs. Naoya Inoue. Each has already hinted at facing each other in 2026. This fight would match two of ESPN’s top-10 pound-for-pound boxers against one another in a marquee matchup.
7. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez – Super Flyweight to Super Bantamweight
Current Weight Class: 115 lbs (Super Flyweight)
Suggested New Weight Class: 122 lbs (Super Bantamweight)
ESPN continues to promote Rodriguez as a No. 5 pound-for-pound world champion in two different divisions. Moving up to super bantamweight would not only elevate Rodriguez’s star status but also open the door to a potential dream fight with Naoya Inoue.
With a total record of 52-0 and 42 knockouts between them, Rodriguez vs. Inoue might be an instant classic and a Fight of the Year candidate.
In boxing, moving up a weight division is often the key to unlocking bigger fights, larger paydays, and a lasting legacy. From Canelo Alvarez’s potential light heavyweight redemption to Junto Nakatani’s possible all-Japanese super fight, these seven boxers have golden opportunities waiting if they dare to climb the scale.
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