Few fight fans would disagree that Terence Crawford is one of the top three pound-for-pound boxers in the world.
He has been undisputed in two weight classes – lightweight and welterweight – and is a current belt holder in the 154lbs ranks after beating Israil Madrimov in his debut in the new division back earlier this month.
In his corner is Brian ‘BoMac’ MacIntyre. Speaking to Luke Thomas, he was asked to rank the top two fighters after putting Crawford as number one and went with undisputed cruiserweight turned undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk right behind his man.
“I’d go Usyk number two and then Inoue. Look what Usyk did, man, he went from cruiserweight, conquered that division, then went up and beat the man that beat everybody, so, you know, what Usyk did to [Tyson] Fury, what Usyk did to [Anthony] Joshua, so I mean it’s undeniable he’s one of the best heavyweights ever. He is a small heavyweight, those guys tower over him.”
He then explained why Naoya Inoue, the third man to be undisputed in two different weight classes during the four-belt era, is comes behind Usyk and it came down to being a more natural fit for his weight divisions.
“Inoue, he’s got speed and power and he pretty much matches up equally with those guys he fights.”
Later this year, Usyk rematches Fury for the chance to further cement his position as an all-time heavyweight great while Inoue defends his four super bantamweight belts against TJ Doheny on September 3.
