OLEKSANDR USYK shot up the world heavyweight leaderboard after his stunning victory over Anthony Joshua last year.
Ring Magazine’s rankings of the world’s top fighters now has the Ukrainian second to only Tyson Fury.
Both stars hold world title belts, with Fury putting keeping WBC crown after defeating Deontay Wilder last time out.
The respected rankings have the Gypsy King ahead of Usyk, owing to his ownership of The Ring’s official belt.
Fury, 33, also boasts a 31-0-1 record and a more extensive history of heavyweight fights, with only Wilder battling to a draw in the original match-up of their trilogy series.
While Usyk, 35, has only fought three times in this category having dominated at cruiserweight.
His storming performance against Joshua in Tottenham launched the southpaw from tenth in rankings to the position of top challenger to Fury’s throne.
Joshua maintains his status over Wilder, after the Bronze Bomber lost in Las Vegas.
Dillian Whyte, who is staking his claim to become the mandatory WBC challenger, is fourth ahead of Joseph Parker.
Former champ Andy Ruiz Jr, Luis Ortiz, Michael Hunter, Oscar Rivas and Britain’s Joe Joyce complete the list.
