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Oleksandr Usyk

Now a true legend or not to the level of Ali and Foreman? Boxing experts debate Oleksandr Usyk as an all-time great

Chris Walker, Matt Astbury, Mark Lelinwalla, Derek Bilton
Now a true legend or not to the level of Ali and Foreman? Boxing experts debate Oleksandr Usyk as an all-time greatDAZN

Oleksandr Usyk recorded the biggest win of his outstanding career on Saturday night, beating Tyson Fury by unanimous decision to retain his WBC, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles.

That is now two victories over another generational great in Fury, plus two over Athony Joshua, and one against IBF champion Daniel Dubois. 

It might sound sycophantic, but it does not feel an overestimation to say that not many athletes enjoy the levels of respect, and even love, the world shows for unified world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

His fighting prowess and achievements in the ring are more than enough to win the hearts and admiration of boxing fans and the wider sporting world.

However, his personality, his many extraordinary activities away from boxing, and becoming a figure for Ukraine resistance, bravery and hope, have elevated him to a pedestal not many athletes ever get to experience.

What is more, no one wants to knock him off it.

An Olympic gold medal and two-weight undisputed world champion - cruiserweight and heavyweight - Usyk is already affirmed as a modern day great, the best of his generation.

But, now does his name deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as  Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, George Foreman and Joe Louis ?

The  DAZN News   experts answer that question - Is Usyk now an all-time heavyweight great?

Adam Smith - DAZN commentator

You have to put him up there. He has secured his status as the best pound-for-pound fighter, although he only puts himself at 17th place for that.

He now has to be seen as one of the great heavyweights of all-time.

It is always difficult to look and compare against different eras but you have to think Usyk would be able to handle himself in any era.

Derek Bilton - feature writer

Olympic champion. Unified cruiserweight champion. Unified heavyweight champion.

Also, the way he is going he is set to join Rocky Marciano in an exclusive club of heavyweight champions to retire undefeated.

Oleksandr UsykMark Robinson/Matchroom

Chris Walker - senior boxing reporter

Mark Lelinwalla - boxing analyst

Usyk was already a generational boxing talent who solidified his greatness by being undisputed world champion at each cruiserweight and heavyweight.

This second win over Fury puts an extra notch on Usyk’s belt as the best heavyweight of this era and one of the greatest of all-time.

Matt Astbury - boxing reporter

A two-weight undisputed champion, a hero in his home country of Ukraine, Oleksandr Usyk is an all-time great.

My fascination with boxing started too late for me to witness first hand the likes of Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr and others in their pomp.

Usyk is one of the only few boxers I have seen clean up two weight divisions, cruiserweight and heavyweight with such ease.

His record in both the amateur and professional ranks is impressive to say the least, along with his performances against the biggest names at cruiserweight and heavyweight.

 Usyk is an all-time great, and whatever he decides to do next, his career will be one which boxing fans will look back on fondly.

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