Sports
Oleksandr Usyk ranked himself in 17th web relate online when requested who tops his pound-for-pound rankings.
The Ukrainian is ranked in a lot of of us’s leading ten warring parties within the pound-for-pound rankings, given he received the undisputed titles with a obtain over Tyson Fury in Could perchance.
His success came having already reigned because the undisputed king of the cruiserweight champion, and modified into once top of the tree in line with Ring Magazine in October.
But surprisingly in a modest review on the most modern panorama, he named four-weight world champion Terence Crawford as his quantity 1 decide.
He advisable DAZN: “For me, pound-for-pound number one is Terence Crawford. I like this man, he’s a great fighter.
When subsequently asked where he would rank himself, he added: “For me, perchance I’m quantity 17.”
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‘The Cat’ almost certainly belongs in the top ten, so is doing himself a real disservice after yet another phenomenal year.
Equally Crawford has had a good year, having moved up to 154lbs where he captured the WBA crown with a win over Israil Madrimov in August.
That came after his success in 2023 where he ousted bitter rival Errol Spence with a stunning win to gain all of the undisputed marbles at 147lbs.
Crawford is at the height of many boxing experts pound-for-pound lists, with current undisputed super-bantamweight king Naoya Inoue also leading the way in the main group.
For Usyk, his stake to the crown could be about to increase with a huge rematch set to take place against Fury this weekend in Saudi Arabia.
A win will see the 37-year-old retain his undefeated record of 22 wins [14 KOs] and write his name again in the heavyweight history books.
His wobble might moreover no longer be over there if he does obtain, given he has hinted at a skill switch aid down to cruiserweight.
Usyk feels more at ease at that weight, and his manager Alex Krassyuk has even confirmed that particular thought of movement if he beats Fury.
One plan back that will almost definitely be spicy might be a conflict with unified champion Jai Opetaia if he elects to replace aid down.
And the undefeated Australian is bigger than happy to accommodate Usyk, and is considering the combat given he has now pursued it for just a few years.
“I would love to combat Usyk at some point soon,” he said.
“It be a combat that I will positively be chasing. I have been round Usyk for a truly very lengthy time.
“We were both at the same Olympic Games [in 2012]. I was only young. I’ve always been close.
“I’ve repeatedly been within the shadows. I declare take care of my replacement’s getting nearer and nearer to being in there against him.
“The goal’s never changed. We’ve been doing the same thing ever since I was a little kid.
“Put collectively, indulge in, sleep on repeat. It be easy to relate [stuff]. I’m looking to dwell it.
“I’m trying to train hard every day and just fight and prepare and do what I’ve got to do to prove it.”
Oleksandr Usyk hilariously interrupts talkSPORT ticket with fun observation before Tyson Fury rematch