Usyk strongly attacks Canelo Álvarez: "He is not the main boxing figure in the world"
The Ukrainian boxer unified the heavyweight titles in a historic manner and positioned himself as number one in the sport's universal rankings.
Boxing is going through a brilliant moment
Saudi Arabia's influence in promoting major events and the growing desire of stars to face each other creates a spectacular and promising landscape. In a matter of weeks, we've seen Canelo Álvarez beat Jaime Munguía , Naoya Inoue face Pantera Nery , Ryan García in his controversial fight with Devin Haney , and Oleksandr Usyk 's heavyweight title unification against Tyson Fury . After these great performances, the debate turns to who is the true leader of boxing. Usyk, perhaps the most notable winner, has been declared.
Usyk defeated 'Gypsy King' Fury
Usyk defeated the 'Gypsy King' Fury in an impressive second half of combat, achieving the prestigious unification of the heavyweight titles, something that had not happened since Lennox Lewis against Evander Holyfield in 1999. With this victory, he obtained all four belts and was placed at the top of the most prestigious boxing lists, those of The Ring and ESPN .
"He says he is the face of boxing. He is not in Ukraine, he is not in Saudi Arabia, he is not in Europe. Well, maybe in Mexico he is"
The recent consecration of the Ukrainian also allowed him to criticize the one who calls himself number one, Canelo Álvarez . Although the Mexican clearly defeated his compatriot Munguía , Usyk believes that Canelo is no longer the king of the sport. "He says he is the face of boxing. He is not in Ukraine, he is not in Saudi Arabia, he is not in Europe. Well, maybe in Mexico he is," said the heavyweight champion on 'Title Sports Network'.
Usyk is convinced that he is ahead of the Guadalajara
"I like Canelo. He is strong for boxing. But from there to being the image of the sport..." added the Ukrainian. His position could be reaffirmed in the rematch with Tyson Fury in December, while Canelo has not yet defined his future. Saudi Arabia wants him to fight Crawford . Benavídez has been evasive. And a rematch with Bivol is almost impossible.
The one from Simferopol is experiencing a completely different moment
His unification at cruiser and heavyweights makes him a historical figure. Outside the ring, his image does not raise doubts, despite having been linked to supposed neutrality in the Ukrainian war for religious reasons. He has become an expert at beating great boxers away from home ( Fury and Joshua in Saudi Arabia, Joshua in Great Britain, Dubois in Poland, Gassiev in Russia). Usyk is marked as number one.