Krassyuk Urges Usyk to Consider Retirement from the Sport

Usyk's former promoter claims signs of decline are starting to show in the fighter.

Despite defeating Rico Verhoeven in the 11th round, Usyk's performance wasn't entirely convincing. Following the bout, his former promoter, Alex Krassyuk, suggested that age is catching up with Usyk and believes it might be time for him to retire. Below are some key points from Krassyuk's statement.

"Rico, however, has his advantages, such as effective weight, where he weighs 10-12 kilograms more than Usyk – no, actually it's 15 kilograms more, and that's not fat, but effective muscle mass. Rico has a devilish heart, a true lion, a fighter who has overcome all sorts of difficulties in his matches. He's been through every possible war in his career, has incredible endurance that he's trained, and had one of the smartest coaches on the planet in his corner. This is my personal opinion."

"There were other advantages, and the biggest one I haven't mentioned yet was the psychological or mental pressure. Rico had none, because if he loses, he loses to the best on the planet. He earns money, becomes more famous. If Usyk loses, he loses absolutely everything: his glory, his legacy, his greatness, because people will remember him for his last fight. And these small things make all the difference."

"Before the 11th round, I had only scored three rounds for Usyk. Usyk didn't look fresh... He was at the heaviest weight I've ever seen him, but did you notice the trend from his previous fight with Dubois and this one with Rico? The number of steps he took in the ring significantly decreased. He no longer makes the most of his footwork; instead, he's more focused on delivering a stronger punch when his feet are firmly planted, to put more power into his fist."

"If I were there to advise him, his next opponent would be his wife Kateryna, his daughter Maria, his daughter Lisa, and his sons, his family matters, perhaps his business affairs. That's what he needs to take care of now. He should stop. It's better to leave an hour too early than two minutes too late. Unfortunately, that's the truth, and it applies not only to boxing but to everything."

"You can't win all the money in the world, you can't defeat all the fighters in the world, but you have to make that decision, and it's very difficult for someone like Usyk, who is at his peak. But think about the future. So, with all my heart, I wish him to retire at the height of his powers and be remembered for centuries as one of the most distinguished and greatest fighters of all time."