in boxing what does "pound for pound" mean.?

Pound-for-pound is the term used in boxing, mixed martial arts and other combat sports to describe a fighter's value in relation to fighters of different weight classes.

Origin of the term

It is often said to have been created to describe world Welterweight and Middleweight champion Sugar Ray Robinson, the most accomplished fighter of the modern era, by supporters who realized that while he could beat anyone in his own class, as a Middleweight he would not be able to beat a top Heavyweight. Hence, Robinson was called the pound-for-pound best without being expected to beat much larger fighters, under the belief that he as a Middleweight was still a better quality fighter than any fighter fighting at heavier or lighter weights than him.

However, this common belief is in fact false, as other fighters were being labelled the 'pound for pound' best before Robinson even turned pro. One such is Tony Canzoneri, a juniorwelterweight great considered the best in the world 'pound for pound' in the early 30s.

pound for pound means that they are the best boxers based in comparison to other boxers at different weight classes. Although they may not have the most knockouts, power, longest reach, or quickest speed, but in comparison to the levels of other boxers at higher or lower weight classes they would be better than them if they were all in the same weight class.

Pound-for-pound is the term used in boxing, mixed martial arts and other combat sports to describe a fighter's value in relation to fighters of different weight classes.

its a way of comparing fighters of differing weight classes.

it is measuring the actual skills. a lightweight fighter could never defeat a heavyweight fighter, but the lightweight might be more technically skilled. so pound for pound, the lightweight is the better fighter.