The Ukrainian believes that Terence Crawford deserves this title.
WBA, WBO, WBC and IBO heavyweight title holder Oleksandr Usykanswered the question of who he considers to be the best boxer in the world at the moment, regardless of weight category.
In an interview with DAZN Boxing, the Ukrainian said that the absolute world champion in the welterweight division, American Terence Crawford, deserves such a title.
See also: The official ceremony of arrival of Usyk and Fury for the rematch took place: the boxers gave comments (video)
– Are such things important to you, where you are placed in the rankings – is this also a goal?
– For me, no, it doesn’t mean anything. For me, the best boxer regardless of weight is Terence Crawford. I love this guy, he’s a great fighter. A terribly strong boxer. And I, maybe…
– Second?
– Seventeenth, – said Usyk.
Already on Saturday, December 21, Usyk will have a rematch against Briton Tyson Fury in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). All the titles that the Ukrainian boxer holds will be at stake.
Unlike the first fight, this time the title of absolute world champion will not be at stake, since Alexander had previously renounced the IBF title. Now it is owned by Briton Daniel Dubois, who has already managed to defend it by knocking out his compatriot Anthony Joshua.
Recall that on the night of May 19, 2024, Usyk defeated Fury by split decision in a fight for the title of absolute world heavyweight champion. At the end of the ninth round, Alexander knocked his opponent down.
Thus, Alexander defended the WBO, WBA, IBO and IBF belts, and also took the WBC title from the “Gypsy King”. Usyk became the first absolute world champion in the heavyweight division in the 21st century.
Before that, the last “absolute” heavyweight champion was Lennox Lewis, who won this status in 1999, when he defeated Evander Holyfield. At that time, the WBA, WBC and IBF titles were at stake. The WBO belt was recognized as equal in 2007, so Usyk became the first “absolute” heavyweight champion in history with four main titles.