Oleksandr Usyk snubs himself when asked who pound-for-pound best boxer is right now

Oleksandr Usyk believes he has been overthrown as boxing’s pound-for-pound king.

Usyk was recently restored at the top of boxing’s pound-for-pound list after Terence Crawford retired following his sensational victory over Canelo Alvarez last September.

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The Ukrainian has yet to compete since beating Daniel Dubois last July, so is at risk of losing his grip as the leader of the pack.

That is because there are many waiting in the wings to snatch his chain at the top of the pile including supreme talent Shakur Stevenson.

It was a simply sensational victory last time out for the Newark native who dominated Teofimo Lopez to dethrone him as champion and take a world title in a fourth weight class.

And Usyk believes it may well see the US top dog at the helm right now.

“Thank you so much to people who think I am the pound-for-pound number one,” Usyk told The Ring.

“But I cannot say it’s me, now maybe it is Shakur.”

Stevenson then issued a heart-warming response, writing: “You’re one of my favourite fighters in the sport right now champ.

“The number one spot belongs to you right now.

“My time is coming.”

Usyk does remain at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings right now, but the American four-weight champion is closing in.

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In the latest rankings, Stevenson sits in third position behind Usyk and current undisputed super-bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue.

What next for Usyk and Stevenson?

For Usyk, his next fight is unlikely to prove anything towards his status at the top of the list.

He will take on kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven in Egypt in May, an opponent who has had just one fight in the traditional squared circle ranks in his career.

As for Stevenson, he will be expected to fight again this year, with numerous options on the table.

After his victory over Lopez, Stevenson took aim at Conor Benn, but a bout is unlikely with his potential rival next up for Regis Prograis.

He has also been linked with a showdown against Ryan Garcia, but the pair cannot agree on a catchweight.

If he is to return to lightweight, the likes of Raymond Murtalla and Abdullah Mason could represent paths back into the world title picture at his old weight class.