Oleksandr Usyk names his pound-for-pound top five

On May 23, at the Pyramids of Giza, Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven will headline the next Ring fight card, in a fight few would have predicted. The fight has attracted controversy because the WBC heavyweight title is on the line. The entire card will stream live on DAZN Pay-Per-View. Ahead of Usyk’s latest title defence, he sat down with the DAZN media team, revealing his top five pound-for-pound fighters.

Oleksandr Usyk set for WBC title defence against Rico Verhoeven

The fight has attracted plenty of criticism, with the WBC sanctioning it as a world title defence for the Ukrainian. Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) was last seen stopping Daniel Dubois to become the two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.

Verhoeven (1-0, 1 KO) has one professional boxing bout from 2014, but made his name as a kickboxer, the long-reigning GLORY heavyweight champion. His exceptional record of (66-10, 21) highlights his elite winning mentality.

Verhoeven might be the best in his code, but Oleksandr Usyk is, for many, the greatest boxer of this generation.

Oleksandr Usyk names his top 5 pound-for-pound fighters

When asked to name his top five pound-for-pound fighters, Usyk said:

“Terence Crawford. Canelo. Shakur (Stevenson). Anthony Joshua. Greedy Belly (Tyson Fury).”

Looking at anyone’s top five, let alone the best heavyweight boxer of his generation, it’s difficult to see a list that doesn’t include Jesse Bam Rodriguez and Naoya Inoue. However, seeing Joshua in there and knowing how close Usyk is to AJ, is somewhat reassuring that Usyk believes Joshua still has the ability to mix with the best in the world.

Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven full fight card

• Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven, 12 rounds, for lineal/WBC heavyweight title
• Hamzah Sheeraz vs Alem Begic, 12 rounds, for vacant WBO super middleweight title
• Shakhram Giyasov vs Jack Catterall, 12 rounds, for vacant WBA “regular” welterweight title
• Frank Sanchez vs Richard Torrez Jr., 12 rounds, IBF heavyweight eliminator
• Mizuki Hiruta vs Mai Soliman, 10 rounds, for Hiruta’s WBO women’s super flyweight title
• Daniel Lapin vs Benjamin Mendes Tani, 10 rounds, light heavyweights
• Basem Mamdouh vs Jamar Talley, 6 rounds, cruiserweights
• Sultan Almohammed vs Dedy Imprax, 4 rounds, lightweights
• Mohamed Mabrouk Yehya vs Michael Kalyala, 4 rounds, middleweights
• Omar Hikal vs Ali Sserunkuma, 4 rounds, welterweights

Stay with Big Fight Weekend for coverage of Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven, including results and video highlights, and post-fight analysis.