Last Friday night while at the Undisputed launch party at the Hotel Cafe Royal in London, I had a chance to speak to Alexander Krassyuk, the head of K2 Promotions. To most boxing fans he is the promoter of undisputed heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk.
It's been several years since I had a chance to talk to the friendly and amiable Krassyuk. We shared a laugh over his prized client getting boo'd within the first half-minute of the opening round by the fans at the Forum in Los Angeles as Usyk faced Thabiso Mchunu in what was his American debut.
Yeah, it was a tough crowd.
Riyadh Season
Back then in late 2016, Usyk had just captured the WBO cruiserweight title after besting Krzysztof Glowacki in Poland. Usyk would not only end up becoming the undisputed cruiserweight champion of the world, but he also became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
Usyk, who won the 2008 Olympic gold medal, was highly touted, but even Krassyuk has a hard time comprehending where they now stand years later on top of the game.
"I can't believe it, still," he told SNAC.com. "I've been with Usyk since 2013, I can't believe it. but I realize we've gone so far -- that he's gone so far. I remember his first fight and people were telling me, 'this guy is nothing special, he's going to lose to the top 10 WBO rated me. He's scared of getting a punch, he moves too much.' So that's what people were telling me.''
Alexander Krassyuk
"Now this guy is a two-time undisputed in two divisions."
So it's safe to say it's a dream come true?
Krassyuk took a second to contemplate the question and stated with a chuckle, "I'll tell you something... I couldn't even dream of that."
For years, K2 Promotions was the company that handled the career of the Klitschko brothers. Given his Ukrainian heritage, it was only natural that Usyk signed with them. He also linked up with noted manager, Egis Klimas, best known at the time for handling the careers of Sergey Kovalev and Vasiliy Lomachenko.
The three have formed a tight bond throughout the years that has lasted.
"When we were signing a contract with Usyk, I gave him my word that within three years he'll become the world champion. So three weeks before the expiration of three years he became the WBO cruiserweight champion. So it looks like I kept my word. But it was just all the glory of God. I had nothing to do with it. It was a chain of coincidences," said Krassyuk with a laugh.
Ring Magazine
Perhaps, but the reality is that they had a high quality fighter, and circumstances led them to a series of fights that were fought in enemy territory, and became the games premiere road warrior. He truly is the modern day 'Oleksandr the Great'.
Krassyuk continued, "We did what we had to do, and yeah, Usyk was telling everyone that he didn't sign with an American promoter, he didn't sign with British promoter because he wanted to become something special being from Ukraine and conquering the world. And that's what he did, he kept his word."
But it is said that 'Alexander the Great' might have cried with the realization that there was nothing else for him to do after running out of lands to take over. So what's left for Usyk at age 38?
"A very fair question," admitted Krassyuk. "Actually, being logical there is nothing. He's conquered, he's done it all. But from the other point of view, is he ready to retire? No, he's not. He doesn't want to retire. he wants to keep fighting. How many fights? We don't know. After being on top of the top, what's going to make him...."
Motivated?
"Yes," Krassyuk continued, "what's going to to be his incentive to go further? No one knows. Let's assume he's fighting for undisputed again, it's not about money or the opponent -- it's about legacy, history."
@lunatoonboxing
Usyk himself has floated the possibility of moving back down to cruiserweight, logic tells you that is unlikely. But on February 22nd there is a heavyweight bout that has one of Usyk's belts (IBF) that he recently vacated that could play a role in his future.
"The (Daniel) Dubois-(Joseph) Parker fight is the deal maker or deal breaker," said Krassyuk. "My bet is with Parker, he has better footwork, he has higher boxing IQ, more experience, more consistent. My bet is with him with all respect to Daniel. Daniel has a punch, and Parker's chin is not the best chin in the world. Let's be fair, it's a risky fight for both fighters if it goes 12 rounds, I would say Parker is the winner."
Either option would be solid given that Dubois gave Usyk some issues when they squared off in the summer of 2023 before getting stopped in the ninth. While Parker is a resurgent fighter, who would provide Usyk a fresh new option.
Riyadh Season
But before we parted ways, Krassyuk floated another possibility.
"We have Wladimir Klitschko, let me tell you, he had this dream for many years to become the oldest heavyweight champion, beating the record of George Foreman. Wladimir is turning 49 this March 25," said Krassyuk, who says since his last bout in 2017 against Anthony Joshua, Klitschko has missed but just a few workouts.
So Klitschko versus the winner of Dubois/Parker?
"Yes,'' stated Krassyk, who added "His Excellency, Turki Alalshihk, was mentioning that, as well. So that might be an option, as well. So let's consider this."
But he made it clear, "On the other hand, Usyk-Klitschko, zero possibility, none at all -- even in a dream. Klitschko can fight, or he can cancel is dream. Whatever."
3KR
This week on 'the 3 Knockdown Rule', Mario Lopez and I give a full review of David Benavidez's win over David Morrell:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP4qvP2FPGQ&t=19s
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