Earlier this month, Terence Crawford became a four-division world champion.
‘Bud’s elite switch hitting and dangerous finishing led him to belts in lightweight, super-lightweight, welterweight and now super-welterweight, with that win over Israil Madrimov on August 3 taking him to 41 fights undefeated.
The 36-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska is one of only three men to become undisputed in two weight classes during the four-belt era.
Former world champion turned analyst Tim Bradley, whilst praising Crawford, told KO Artist Sports that he had to have another man who achieved that feat as pound-for-pound top dog – Oleksandr Usyk.
“You know what, I got Usyk number one. That’s just only fair. What Usyk was able to do… If Crawford becomes undisputed at 154 then he’s gonna be number one for sure. For me, Crawford is the best fighter in the world skill-wise.”
The Ukrainian captured all four titles at cruiserweight before moving up to heavyweight and defeating Chaz Witherspoon, Derek Chisora, Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois and Tyson Fury to do the same. In an era of super-heavyweights, Usyk’s wins are all the more impressive.
In a separate interview with Against the Ropes, Bradley expands on the point using Usyk’s most recent victory over Fury as his example.
“He hurt Fury, several times. But on the flip side Fury hurt him too. He hurt him too, man. But [Usyk] was able to endure it, come back and stay focused and determined. Usyk’s a bad man. That’s a bad dude bro.
Yeah [he is the best fighter in the world pound for pound.] He earned that, man. He beat the giant. To me, Fury was on point. Those middle rounds he was on point. Feelin’ himself, good defence, controlling the smaller man from the outside.
It was interesting to see how strong Usyk was inside the pocket, and how quickly he was bale to get Fury up off of him to create space for himself … Hell of a performance by him. Masterful.”
Usyk returns to the ring on December 21 to rematch Tyson Fury, this time for only three of the four major belts after he vacated the IBF. As for Crawford and Bradley’s suggestion he may look to become undisputed in a third weight-class, Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh believes he will turn down any fight that is not Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Regarding the pound-for-pound debate, Crawford has also said Usyk’s work is worthy of the top spot.
