“Can’t Believe Bud Moved Up”: Fans in Frenzy After Resurfaced Image of Terence Crawford vs. Oleksandr Usyk Chess Match Makes Rounds Online

Boxing icons Terence Crawford and Oleksandr Usyk, have never faced each other inside the squared circle. However, a game of chess brought the two legends face to face with each other. Usyk and Crawford were seen sitting across a table engaged in a game of chess. It is a photo that goes back to 2018, but boxing fans couldn’t get over it. The photo recently resurfaced online and fans have cluttered the comments section with their ideas about the game.

Both boxers are masters in their respective weight classes and are known for their strategic brilliance, tactics, and well-developed IQ. Even though chess is a different game, the mindset and thoughtfulness required to excel in boxing are very similar. As a result, fans were ecstatic to see the two brilliant boxers fight it out even if it were on a chessboard.

Check. Mate. 

It may come as a surprise to many boxing fans that Usyk and Crawford are actually friends. Both have known each other for a while and have said great things about one another. Both fighters also have a huge amount of respect for each other. And the resurfaced picture only confirms it. Crawford was among the first boxers who hailed Usyk after his victory against Tyson Fury last month.  

Similarly, when asked about who would win in a fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, the new undisputed heavyweight champion contented that defeating Bud would be a very difficult proposition for Canelo. However, Saudi Arabia is in talks to orchestrate a fight between ‘Bud’ and Canelo Alvarez.

Talking about their chess game, the Ukrainian and the Omaha native seemed deeply immersed in the game as the song ‘Eye of the Tiger’, popularized by Rocky III played in the background in the clip from 2018. But it was the resurfaced image where the conversation began anew. Take a look at what fans had to say about their chess face-off. 

Fans try to look for a winner between Terence Crawford and Oleksandr Usyk 

Usyk and Crawford are both undefeated in their professional boxing careers. But fans are trying to make a case of who might have won the chess game between them. Chess is a really popular game in the East European countries. One fan used that knowledge and said that Usyk might have won that game since children usually grow up playing chess in those countries. 

Oleksandr Usyk boxer shocked the world when he defeated Tyson Fury in their fight for the undisputed heavyweight title. Fury was the betting favorite given his bigger size and his experience in the heavyweight division. However, Usyk accomplished the seemingly impossible. Another fan connected Usyk’s winning streak to their chess game and wrote, “Usyk won because he doesn’t lose.”

It would be an interesting match-up to see Crawford and Usyk squaring off inside the ring. However, it won’t be possible due to the differences in the weight classes they fight in. Therefore, one fan sarcastically remarked, “Can’t believe Bud moved up in weight to challenge Usyk.”

Another user was a chess enthusiast himself and analyzed that Bud would win the match based on how the game looked in the picture. He wrote, “Not sure but my strategy would be more on buds side .. he have opened up everything yet. Looks like he checked him with the bishop . Somebody play me . I f**k with chess.”

An observer brought up Usyk’s boxing style, claiming that the Ukrainian is positioning Crawford for a knockout in the later rounds on the board. The comment read, “Based on the state of the board Usyk was setting Bud up for a later rounds KO. Bud seemed overly aggressive employing a semi-basic and traditional offence.”

Well, we certainly don’t know who might have won that game. But we can predict that it must have been a tough and interesting match nevertheless. Who do you think won the game? Write down your thoughts in the comments below.