Oleksandr Usyk has listed the top three fights he wants to see in the sport of boxing, speaking from a fan’s perspective and thus excluding himself.
As the elite Ukrainian picks up the pieces of the failed negotiations to become undisputed in a second division, this time against Tyson Fury, he has looked at some other fights in the sport that are yet to be made.
Speaking to Vringe, the Ukrainian laid out three he’s keen to see happen…
Errol Spence Jr – Terence Crawford
The four-belt welterweight clash between Errol Spence and Terence Crawford is a touchy subject for boxing fans. It’s widely accepted that the two champions must face each other before retirement, and still nothing has materialised.
Spence, undefeated in 28, and Crawford, undefeated in 39, came close last year and recent revelations that they have been speaking personally is a welcome update. At 35-years-old, Crawford will want to make the fight happen in 2023 to not risk giving the upper hand to the 33-year-old Spence.
Deontay Wilder – Anthony Joshua
Second on the list for Usyk is a man he knows well – Anthony Joshua. The Ukrainian beat AJ over 24 rounds to win and retain the unified heavyweight titles.
He’d like to see him in with another former champion in Deontay Wilder, joining fans in the view that even with no belts on the line, the fight is one of the most intriguing in the sport.
The transatlantic clash would pit two big punchers – perhaps one of the biggest ever in Wilder – in a shootout that has been brewing for years.
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez – David Benavidez
Finally, Usyk moved to the super middleweight division and its undisputed champion, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. Whilst Canelo wants nothing more than to avenge a light-heavyweight loss to Dmitry Bivol, many in the sport would rather see him in with his countryman, David Benavidez, at a more natural weight.
Benavidez is fresh off a victory over former Canelo opponent, Caleb Plant, and is a two-time champion in the division himself. In short, he has staked his claim well enough to merit a shot at the four belts.
Fans will agree with Usyk’s three fights, but their lists will likely make way for him in the ring against Fury. That reportedly has the potential to take place this winter.