Shakur Stevenson has revealed his top five best pound-for-pound boxers in the world - but left Tyson Fury off the list with himself as No1.
The WBO super-featherweight world champion beat Jamel Herring by technical knockout in October in his last fight.
Stevenson, 24, is currently preparing to face WBC champ Oscar Valdez in a unification clash on April 30.
He is unbeaten in 17 professional bouts and will put his belt on the line next month against Valdez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Stevenson is currently signed to US promotion Top Rank, the boxing firm found by Muhammad Ali's legendary Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum who also represents the Gypsy King.
But the Olympic silver medallist did not mention Fury and instead named himself above fellow American Terence Crawford.
Stevenson told ESPN: "If you're not talking accolades, I'm going to give you my answer, and my answer would be Shakur Stevenson, No1.
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 23: (L-R) Shakur Stevenson punches Jamel Herring in their lightweight fight at State Farm Arena on October 23, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Getty Images)
"Bud Crawford, Jaron Ennis, Canelo Alvarez, Tank or Errol Spence for the last spot."
ESPN reporter Mark Kriegel praised Stevenson for his self-belief, adding that it is important for him to feel that way.
He replied: “It ain’t that I have to believe that.
“I actually believe I’m the best fighter in the sport of boxing.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 20: WBO champion Terence Crawford (R) punches Shawn Porter during their welterweight title fight at Michelob ULTRA Arena on November 20, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Crawford retained his title with a 10th-round TKO. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
"I’m very talented, so when you seeing these fights where it’s 10-2 or 11-1, and I feel like that makes me the best fighter in the sport of boxing.”
It means there was no place for WBC heavyweight king Fury, 33, but there was a space for Jaron 'Boots' Ennis, also 24, despite the fact he doesn't have any belts of any note to his name.
Fellow world champions Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, Gervonta Davis and Errol Spence Jr complete the list.
Despite arguably being the bigger draw on paper, Stevenson has stated that he will be paid less than Valdez.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 07: Canelo Alvarez (L) throws a left at Amir Khan during the WBC middleweight title fight at T-Mobile Arena on May 7, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
However, he stressed that this is all just a part of his plan to achieve greatness.
He admitted: “I'm betting on myself.
"I feel like when you bet on yourself it always works out in the way that you want it to work out.
"This might be my first and last time doing this.
"I feel that I am going to be a superstar later on. I probably will never have to do this again. But right now, we're going to do whatever it takes to make the biggest fights happen
“On April 30 you're going to see a superstar be born. I feel that I shine in my biggest moments. Pressure either busts pipes or it makes diamonds.
"I've been a diamond my whole career. My biggest moments I always step up.
“I feel like I am the best fighter in the world. I haven't gotten the chance to really prove it yet. But April 30th is going to be another stepping stone in proving that.”