Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has raised eyebrows by including former two-time champion Anthony Joshua in his top five boxers worldwide, despite defeating him twice in the ring.
In an interview with DAZN, Usyk revealed his picks while preparing for his heavyweight title rematch against Tyson Fury on December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Usyk ranked pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford and super-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez as his top two boxers, followed by Joshua. This inclusion is notable given Joshua’s recent knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September, marking the fourth defeat of his professional career.
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The Ukrainian also showed respect for Tyson Fury, listing him among his top five, alongside undefeated Japanese star Naoya Inoue, who continues to dominate in the bantamweight division.
Meanwhile, Fury has vowed to take a more aggressive approach in the rematch. “Last time, I boxed cautiously for points. This time, I’m not going for a decision. I’m knocking that motherf****r out,” the British heavyweight declared.
The December 21 showdown could set the stage for a future clash with Joshua, as promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed the British-Nigerian fighter has no plans to retire and could return to title contention in 2025.