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Boxing

Already an icon; one more victory required; 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
Already an icon; one more victory required; not to the level of Ali and Foreman - boxing experts debate Oleksandr Usyk as an all-time greatDAZN

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 (well, maybe only Tyson Fury).

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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 as he prepares to face Fury for a second time on Saturday, live on DAZN PPV with no subscription required, where would another victory put him in the historic boxing records.

Should he beat Fury again and defend his WBC, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles, then should he be considered an all-time heavyweight icon? 

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 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.

If he wins this fight then he 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, he would join Rocky Marciano in an exclusive club of heavyweight champions to retire undefeated, if he does retire post fight, of course.

Chris Walker - senior boxing reporter

Mark Lelinwalla - boxing analyst

Right now, without the win over Fury in the rematch, Usyk is already a generational boxing talent who solidified his greatness by being undisputed world champion at each cruiserweight and heavyweight.

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

Usyk v Fury competition

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.

Regardless of the result in his rematch against Tyson Fury on Saturday, 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.

How to watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN PPV

Usyk vs. Fury 2 - Buy now

Watch Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 and the full undercard on DAZN PPV at a cost of £24.99 in the UK / $39.95 in the US.  For prices in your region click here .

A PPV event is a single one-off payment, with no subscription requirement or extra costs. Buying the Usyk vs. Fury 2 PPV on DAZN brings great benefits.

This includes a range of options to watch the fight, from the traditional commentary to watchalongs with True Geordie or ShowBizz; the best broadcast team including Kate Scott, Ade Oladipo, Adam Smith, Andy Lee, Darren Barker and Eddie Hearn; and commentary in multiple languages.

The PPV also comes with a seven-day free trial of the whole DAZN platform.

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