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5 boxers bound for boxing’s pound-for-pound list soon

By Jeremy Herriges

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: George Groves of England and Chris Eubank JR of England exchange blows during their WBSS Super Middleweight bout at the Manchester Arena on February 17, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: George Groves of England and Chris Eubank JR of England exchange blows during their WBSS Super Middleweight bout at the Manchester Arena on February 17, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images) /
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Oleksandr Usyk
INGLEWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 17: (L-R) Oleksandr Usyk of the Ukraine punches Thabiso Mchunu of South Africa to win the WBO Cruiserweight title at The Forum on December 17, 2016 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

4. Oleksandr Usyk (14-0, 11 KOs)

Oleksandr Usyk is another boxer who has benefited from the World Boxing Super Series. He entered the cruiserweight version of the tournament as the WBO champion, and has added another title in the process.

In the first round of the tournament, he impressively stopped Marco Huck in the 10th round. He followed that victory with a close majority decision over Mairis Briedis adding the WBC title to his collection.

Briedis fought well against Usyk, but Usyk outworked and landed more punches than Briedis according to CompuBox stats (via Boxingscene).

Before the World Boxing Super Series, Usyk’s best win came against Krzysztof Glowacki in 2016. Usyk won by unanimous decision and became the WBO cruiserweight champion.

He is a big and powerful cruiserweight. He stands at 6-foot-3 and has a 79 percent KO rating. Usyk could develop into a heavyweight, but his talents are best served as a cruiserweight.

Usyk also deserves credit for his distinguished amateur boxing career. He won numerous amateur titles, but his best moment came at the 2012 summer Olympics. Usyk won gold in the heavyweight division.

He meets WBA and IBF champion Murat Gassiev in the finals of the WBSS. Gassiev lacks Usyk’s amateur pedigree, but he has shined throughout the tournament. Usyk knocked out previously unbeaten Yunier Dorticos in the final round.

Gassiev will be the underdog, but he’s used to that position. He will give Usyk a run for his money. If Gassiev pulls the upset, then he deserves pound-for-pound accolades. They fight on May 11.

Since Usyk is the favorite, he makes the spot on this list over Gassiev.

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