Oleksandr Usyk's ex-promoter delivers verdict on potential Jake Paul fight
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.
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.
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.'
Watch Itauma vs Whyte live on DAZN
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
31 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Championship 2025-26: contenders, hopefuls and youngsters to watch
This week the tussle between Birmingham City and Ipswich Town, who meet in the curtain-raiser on Friday, to sign Chuba Akpom – the runaway top scorer in the division with Middlesbrough three years ago (Viktor Gyökeres was runner-up) – was tantamount to both sides taking it in turns to flex their muscles. Despite a sole Premier League win this calendar year, Ipswich were relegated with more decorum than Leicester City and Southampton and Kieran McKenna's side are armed to attack the second tier, even if Omari Hutchinson joins Liam Delap in departing. The 40-year-old Ashley Young, who worked with McKenna at Manchester United, looks a smart pickup and consistency can help Ipswich to flourish. Birmingham, meanwhile, are aiming to repeat a feat last achieved by Ipswich in winning successive promotions and have not been shy in reinforcing Chris Davies's squad, but there is also momentum from a record-breaking season. Leicester are at risk of a points deduction but their new head coach, Martí Cifuentes, took 32 players on the pre-season tour to Austria and has the tools to overpower opponents. The landscape of his squad will probably look different next month – the same applies at Southampton where a flurry of departures are expected – but, unlike last season, neither are likely to be caught short. For Will Still, the returning Gavin Bazunu and Shea Charles could be key pillars at Saints. Eleven teams have changed managers since the end of last season – 15 since the turn of the year – but few transitions were as messy as Rúben Selles replacing Chris Wilder at Sheffield United, playoff finalists last season. Selles, who has reunited with Louie Barry, with whom he worked at Hull City last season, has the bones of a strong squad but will need to hit the ground running to win over the Bramall Lane faithful. One of those coaches who arrived midway through last campaign will fancy his chances of kicking on: Frank Lampard revived Coventry City, driving them into the playoffs. The arrival of the goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, on loan from Brighton, addresses a problem position, though they are short of a prolific goalscorer – the Gyökeres sell-on fee may help. Millwall felt an uplift after Alex Neil was appointed last December and his team are primed to go close again after finishing eighth last season, with Alfie Doughty their standout summer signing. Derby County could be dark horses under John Eustace, who has proven his ability as a shrewd manager at this level and plans to fuse experience with youth; Rhian Brewster, 25, could prove a revelation if he can rediscover his goalscoring touch after joining on a free. Whether West Bromwich Albion mix it under Ryan Mason, as he begins his first permanent job as a No 1, may hinge on their marquee summer signing Aune Heggebø firing after arriving from Brann. After an underwhelming season, Norwich City have sold their top scorer Borja Sainz to Porto, while Josh Sargent – arguably the best striker in the division last term – is also poised to depart. Norwich had a soft centre last season and have revamped things with Liam Manning joining as head coach and 11 signings, including the 21-year-old striker Jovon Makama from Lincoln and the imposing Serbia midfielder Mirko Topic. This is Middlesbrough's ninth successive season in the division and Steve Gibson has turned to Rob Edwards in search of promotion. Stoke City, too, have been stuck in the second tier – and fortunate to avoid dropping into the third – but Mark Robins has strengthened with defensive additions Aaron Cresswell and Maksym Talovierov, who impressed for Plymouth after signing in January. Swansea City's highest-profile summer arrival has been Snoop Dogg, joining Luka Modric as a minority shareholder, but Alan Sheehan is aiming to build on the promise shown after taking the reins in February, initially on an interim basis. Swansea have made some sensible additions including Ethan Galbraith, who excelled for Leyton Orient, but probably need another striker unless Bobby Wales – born in Dublin, signed from the Scottish club Kilmarnock and now playing in England's second tier – proves a hit. Bristol City squeezed into sixth on the final day last season and while Emil Riis looks an upgrade on Nahki Wells, they do not look stronger under Gerhard Struber, last seen in this division in tears after staving off relegation behind closed doors with Barnsley in 2020. John Swift has signed for hometown club Portsmouth, who can build on 16th under the impressive John Mousinho. Charlton and Wrexham have been aggressive in the market after promotion and have cause to look up, towards mid-table, rather than down; for the latter, Danny Ward, Conor Coady, Lewis O'Brien and Kieffer Moore represent a promising spine. After a summer exodus it is over to Henrik Pedersen, Danny Röhl's former assistant, to pick up the pieces at Sheffield Wednesday, a club shrouded in uncertainty amid further turbulence under Dejphon Chansiri. There is crisis around every corner at Hillsborough, where the North Stand has been closed because of structural concerns, and the remaining players spent much of pre-season training on an artificial pitch amid delays at their Middlewood Road training base. The longstanding captain, Barry Bannan, has agreed to stay but aside from his commitment positives have been hard to come by. Wednesday fans are united, however, with the supporters' trust planning a protest at Leicester on Sunday, their opening game, where the team will be backed by a sold-out away end. Hull, like Wednesday, are prohibited from spending fees on players until January 2027 – both clubs are appealing against that ruling – and after staying up on goal difference things look ominous for the the lowest scorers of last season; Sergej Jakirovic is the fifth managerial hire since Acun Ilicali took ownership three years ago. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Blackburn Rovers missed out on the playoffs on the final day last season but were punching above their weight and look light on quality after Callum Brittain joined Boro. Oxford United, who spent pre-season in Indonesia, where Gary Rowett rode a model lion in line with local tradition, and Paul Heckingbottom's Preston face an uphill task, but both are canny operators. Stability has been elusive at QPR and Watford – both of whom have new managers without EFL experience in Julian Stéphan and Paulo Pezzolano respectively – and could find the going tough. Jeremy Monga, Leicester, 16 One of few green shoots from last season, the England Under-16 winger became the second-youngest player in Premier League history (behind Ethan Nwaneri) when he made his debut aged 15 years and 271 days in April; gambling regulations meant he wore a blank shirt because Leicester's home kit was sponsored by a cryptocurrency platform. Tracked by elite clubs across Europe, but has agreed to sign a professional contract when he turns 17 next July. Mihailo Ivanovic, Millwall, 20 The Serbia striker is one of the most exciting talents in the division and will quietly fancy his chances of the golden boot – if he stays put. Ivanovic, who signed from Vojvodina on deadline day last summer, scored 12 league goals last season – 10 since the turn of the year – including a sumptuous trivela at Luton. The forward got a chipped pass under his spell with his left shoulder, controlled the ball with his right boot and then flung a nonchalant strike into the far corner. Jay Robinson, Southampton, 18 Last season it was Tyler Dibling given a chance to impress after lighting up pre-season and now it could be the turn of another attacking midfielder. Robinson, like Dibling, represented the under-21s at 15. The former QPR youngster, first elevated to the first team by Russell Martin, has been a fixture in friendlies this summer and there is a sense that a regular spot awaits. He started the final game of last season after his debut in April, the month he signed a new four-year contract.
BBC News
31 minutes ago
- BBC News
Grealish, Elliott, McAtee, Eze - your Maddison replacement ideas
We asked you what Tottenham should do now that James Maddison has been ruled out likely for the season with an anterior cruciate ligament are some of your comments:John: They should get Jack Grealish on loan and invest in a player that can support Dominic Solanke up Definitely need a replacement number 10 now. If I were Daniel Levy, I'd certainly be looking at James McAtee from Manchester City because at £35-£40m I think he'd be a good Crying out for Grealish to be played centrally and let off the leash to run the park! Would be a no-brainer for a year with a possible option to To help cover Son Heung-min and Maddison what if we went for Harvey Elliot on loan? Liverpool might be willing to loan him to help him get more game time and he could slot into Maddison's position quite nicely. Or Liverpool might be willing to sell as it might help them raise funds to buy Alexander Buy Eberechi Eze. Just get it done and fast before Arsenal, or others step in, again!Idris: We play Dejan Kulusevski in a 10 role, which creates more space for Brennan Johnson to claim the right attacking I thought we should have gone for Grealish before the injuries. Now it's critical we do. It's a no-brainer for me. Would love him at spurs. All a question of wages structure on the loan.
Daily Mail
31 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Your chance to win thousands in cash as Daily Mail launches new Premier League game Predictor for 2025-26 season
Welcome to Predictor - Daily Mail's new game which asks you to predict the outcomes of seven Premier League matches each weekend for the chance to win thousands in cash. It's simple. All you need to do is predict the winner of each game, or opt for a draw, plus predict when the first goal will be scored in the tiebreaker game. If you're feeling lazy, you can even put your feet up and use the auto fill option! For each one you get right, you earn a point. You can change your predictions as much as you like until a minute before kick-off and win up to £1,000 in the weekly competition, and up to £5,000 in the season competition. And yes, we have leagues! You're able to create or join them, and they can either be public or private. Now is your chance to definitively prove you know more than your mates or even more than our experts. You'll also be entered into a global public leaderboard. This is where you hit the big time. If you rank top out of everyone for the week, you earn a cool £1,000. Rank top for the entire season and you'll be taking home £5,000. Play on the web or on our app, whatever you like. Fancy yourself as the Predictor Supremo? Dive right in at Over 18s only, excludes NI. Terms and conditions apply.
