“I only had three rounds against Usyk. Yes,” Krassyuk told Boxing King Media when asked if he lost to Usyk 7-3.
“It was the hardest fight of his career. Rico had his own advantages, which was the effective weight. Rico has a hell of a heart, is the real lion. He’s been in every possible fight in his career.
“The biggest one was the psychological or mental pressure. Rico had zero because if he loses, he loses to the best man on the planet. If Usyk loses, he loses every single thing, his fame, his legacy, his glory, because people will remember him for his last fight.”
Krassyuk also pointed to Usyk’s age and heavier weight, saying the champion no longer uses movement in the same way he did earlier in his career.
“We’re not getting any younger with time. Usyk didn’t look fresh. He was at the highest weight I’ve ever seen him. The number of steps he’s taken in the ring has decreased significantly. So, he’s not getting his best footwork in the ring,” Krassyuk said.
Krassyuk stopped short of heavily criticizing the referee for the stoppage against Verhoeven, saying the official had the authority to make the call even if Rico could have been allowed to continue after the bell.
“The referee can let Rico go to his corner and take his minute of rest and then make the decision whether he is able to continue the fight or not,” said Alex. “But the referee is the only man in charge. Maybe the referee did a very good service for Rico and kept his health in order.”
Krassyuk said that if he was still advising Usyk, he would tell him to retire instead of moving on to fights against Agit Kabayel, a Verhoeven rematch or other heavyweight opponents.
“He has to stop. It’s better to leave one hour before than two minutes after. You can’t beat all the fighters in the world,” Krassyuk said of Usyk.
“I wish him to retire in his prime and be remembered for centuries as one of the most prominent and greatest fighters of all time.”
