Oleksandr Usyk’s ex-promoter delivers verdict on potential Jake Paul fight

Alex Krassyuk and Usyk parted ways shortly before the latter’s stunning win over Daniel Dubois

Oleksandr Usyk’s business partner and former promoter, Alex Krassyuk, has condemned a potential fight between the Ukrainian great and Jake Paul – after Usyk and the YouTube star faced off at Wembley.

Krassyuk said that in this new world of crossover boxing, a fight with Paul is something that gets seriously discussed, but he appealed for it not to be in a boxing ring.

Krassyuk told World Boxing News: “This fight is widely discussed now, but it can’t be a boxing match as it is a homicide."

Paul has become an unlikely name in boxing, transitioning from a young YouTube star to a professional boxer, ranked in the top 15 of the WBA cruiserweight rankings.

He is coming off the two highest-profile wins of his career against a 58-year-old Mike Tyson and the former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

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Boxing Paul vs. Paul (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press All Rights Reserved)

Despite his progress, Krassyuk said that even if the fight were under MMA rules, Paul would stand an equally small chance of survival, but sees the financial gain from the fight as attractive enough for the undisputed heavyweight champion to consider.

He said: “Even a cage fight does not leave chances for the young YouTuber. But money talks. And this event can generate some serious numbers.”

Usyk’s future has been uncertain since he made history and became a three-time undisputed champion, knocking out Daniel Dubois at Wembley on 19 July. After that fight, Paul entered the ring to face off with Usyk.

The WBO have ordered negotiations between him and the interim champion, Joseph Parker, but Usyk has nothing left to prove, and Krassyuk said he will encourage his friend to retire.

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Krassyuk concluded: “I don’t see him fighting anymore, at least in boxing. He has proved it all, there’s nothing more to gain. For sure, there’re going to be some dossers around pushing him to the ring again. As a friend, I will do my best to convince him to retire.”

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