Oleksandr Usyk’s incredible rise to the summit of world boxing is one I’m familiar with after sharing the ring with the brilliant Ukrainian and it’s crazy to think that there’s still much more to come. Let’s have it right, if Usyk walked away from boxing tomorrow, his legacy would be secured, and he’d be seen as one of the best fighters of his era.
Going in with Tyson Fury this weekend with the opportunity to become undisputed heavyweight champion, Usyk can take his reputation to another level. Olympic gold medallist, outstanding amateur, and undisputed champion in two weight divisions, one of them heavyweight, what more can Usyk do?
At this moment in time, fight fans are blessed to have so many outstanding fighters like Terence Crawford, Naoya Inoue, and Canelo Alvarez, but is Usyk better than all of them? That’s a big question and maybe now isn’t the right time to answer it but a decisive victory over Fury surely goes a long way in confirming him as the best fighter of his generation.
When I grew up in boxing, I was always excited to see the likes of Roy Jones Jr, Bernard Hopkins, and Floyd Mayweather. You knew instantly that you were dealing with special fighters and that’s a term I think is suited to Usyk, but he has so much more to go with it.
That desire to know that he’s the best is something I admire in him so much as he’s always seeking the biggest challenges. After becoming undisputed at cruiserweight, he said he had to fight me as I had briefly left the division to go to heavyweight to face David Haye twice.
Once cruiserweight was dealt with, the quest began at heavyweight and immediately he was setting his sights on the title. His two wins over Anthony Joshua were done with minimal experience at heavyweight and that’s one major jump to make as there’s no weight limit and he’s always going to be conceding height, weight, and in most cases, strength.
Even after defeating Joshua twice, Usyk wasn’t satisfied, it had to be Fury next, and he was so passionate in his pursuit of the current WBC champion. This weekend he gets his wish and victory will go a long way in making people believe that we’re looking at one of the all-time great fighters.
It won’t be easy as Fury is a brilliant fighter himself, but for Usyk, this is a moment to do something that most fighters will never get close to. Olympic champion, undisputed cruiserweight champion, undisputed champion, and unbeaten star. All whilst competing on the road. If you ask me, that’s one hell of a CV and you’ll do very well to find one better.
Live on DAZN PPV: Fury vs. Usyk on May 18. Click here for details.