Former two-time world champion Shawn Porter, who fought Terence Crawford and Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2006, respectively, has revealed which pound-for-pound phenom had the superior skill set.
Most will be familiar with the pressure fighter’s 10th-round stoppage defeat to Crawford, where a previously two-way welterweight spectacle ultimately ended in decisive fashion.
Porter, as usual, gave a strong account of himself in the first nine rounds, with his greater volume and aggression putting him ahead on all three judges’ scorecards.
Then, as if wishing to prove a point, ‘Bud’ marched towards his opponent at the beginning of round 10 and swiftly went through the gears.
At this point, Porter had found himself on the receiving end of a ruthless dismantling, with two heavy knockdowns eventually inspiring his father and trainer, Kenny, to throw in the towel. Porter then announced his retirement following a fourth professional defeat, which came roughly 15 years after his four-round amateur bout with Usyk.
Back then, the two 19-year-olds fought at 165lbs – with Usyk eventually moving up to cruiser and heavyweight, and Porter largely remaining at 147lbs throughout his pro career.
On this occasion, Porter came away with a convincing points victory, but was, of course, faced with a vastly different version of Usyk to what fans have grown accustomed to.
But still, in an interview with Ring Magazine, Porter nonetheless insisted that Crawford was the best he ever locked horns with.
“That would be Terence. I’ve never been in the ring with anyone who could do all the things I could.
“When we fought, Usyk was a southpaw, a tall rangy counter-puncher – he wasn’t a dig to the body type of guy.
“He’s a well-rounded fighter but he can’t do everything. Terence can do everything. That’s what makes him the best fighter I’ve been in the ring with.”
Both Crawford and Usyk look set to continue their remarkable careers in 2026, with ‘Bud’ potentially dropping to middleweight in search of a world title win in a sixth division, while Usyk may look to once again become undisputed heavyweight champion after vacating the WBO belt.
