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Canelo, Crawford, or Usyk, Who Has Been the Best Boxer in Post-Floyd Mayweather Era? Boxing World Debates

Published 04/09/2024, 8:28 AM EDT

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It has been more than 6 years since Floyd Mayweather had his last professional bout. 6 years since the biggest money fight against Conor McGregor. But was it the highlight of his career? Definitely not! His unbeaten record of 50-0, 15 world titles and the lineal championships in four weight divisions are some of them. However, the boxing world has moved on since Mayweather’s departure.

So, who has been the face of boxing, the best fighter since the end of Floyd Mayweather’s era? Is it Canelo Alvarez? Oleksandr Usyk? Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford? Impressive resumes, but only one can claim the top spot. The stage is set for you, the fans to debate.

A look at potential heirs of Floyd Mayweather’s throne

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Looking at the resumes of every fighter, the resumes of Canelo Alvarez, Crawford and Usyk stand out. Canelo himself has faced Floyd Mayweather when he was young. He has a record of 60-2, and is a four-weight world champion. Terence Crawford cemented his record to 40-0 after beating Errol Spence Jr last year. He has held multiple world championships in three weight classes, from lightweight to welterweight.

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Now for Usyk, he stands at a record of 21-0 and now is poised to face Tyson Fury to establish himself as the best heavyweight of this generation. So when Michael Benson posed the question, “Who has been the best fighter in the post-Floyd Mayweather era of boxing?” The boxing world was awash with passionate opinions on who has taken the mantle since Mayweather’s departure.

Is Canelo Alvarez far ahead of everyone?

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First up, the conversation starts with Canelo Álvarez, the Mexican phenom whose ascent in multiple weight classes has been nothing short of meteoric.

Transitioning to another titan of the ring, Terrence ‘Bud’ Crawford’s narrative is equally compelling. Fans admire Crawford for his pristine record and tactical genius.

This fan then labels Canelo as the best but warns him of tarnishing his legacy.

Then, Oleksandr Usyk’s story introduces a different dimension to the debate. Usyk, stepping up from cruiserweight to challenge the behemoths of the heavyweight division, embodies courage and skill.

The debate broadens as we consider the perspectives that include other luminaries like Naoya Inoue, known for his explosive power and surgical precision, and Vasyl Lomachenko, whose prime years showcased a blend of creativity and dominance rarely seen in the sport.

The inclusion of multiple fighters in the debate by some fans highlights the subjective nature of “the best.” It reflects an appreciation for the variety of skills and accomplishments that define the current era. Whether it’s Crawford’s tactical brilliance, Canelo’s versatility, Usyk’s heart, Inoue’s power, or Lomachenko’s ring IQ, each has a claim to the throne in the eyes of their supporters.

Who do you believe has truly defined the post-Mayweather era of boxing? Your answer adds another layer to this ongoing saga

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Written by:

Mrinal Mishra

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One take at a time

Mrinal Mishra is a senior writer for Boxing at EssentiallySports. With over 1300+ articles to his name, Mrinal’s articles often find congratulatory mentions from boxing greats like Mia St. John.
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Edited by:

Snigdhaa Jaiswal