“I had only three rounds by Usyk. Yes,” Krassyuk said to Boxing King Media when asked if he had Usyk down 7-3.
“This was the toughest 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 was in every possible war 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 is no longer using movement the same way he did earlier in his career.
“We are not getting younger with time. Usyk did not look fresh. He was in the highest weight I’ve ever seen him. The amount of steps he made in the ring significantly declined. So, he’s not taking his best advantage of footwork in the ring,” said Krassyuk.
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 could let Rico go to his corner and take his minute of the rest and then take the decision whether he is capable or not of continuing the fight,” said Alex. “But the referee is the only man in charge. Maybe the referee served a very good service for Rico, keeping his health in order.”
Krassyuk said that if he were still advising Usyk, he would tell him to retire instead of continuing toward 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 fighters of the world,” said Krassyuk about Usyk.
“I wish him to retire at his prime and being remembered in ages as one of the most prominent and greatest fighters of all times.”
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