Ask ten boxing fans who the real number one is in any given division, and you might get ten different answers. Not because they all see the sport differently—but because the rankings themselves often feel like a bad joke.

It’s one of boxing’s dirtiest little secrets—top fighters gaming the system to stay at the top of the rankings without taking any real risks. While fresh contenders grind their way up, some big names cling to their status by staying inactive or facing low-level opponents. The question is: should boxing force ranked fighters to face top-10 opposition to keep their place? It’s a radical idea, but would it bring the competition back to life or push fighters to the breaking point?