Evander Holyfield and Oleksandr Usyk are regarded by many as two of the greatest boxers to have ever laced up the gloves.
They both hold a rare accolade: Holyfield was the first man to become undisputed cruiserweight champion and then move up to heavyweight to repeat the feat. Usyk then emulated Holyfield’s success, becoming undisputed champion in both divisions, collecting four of the major world titles to do so.
‘The Real Deal’ had famous wins over the likes of Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe and Larry Holmes and is the only four-time heavyweight champion. Fast forward to today and the Ukrainian’s standout wins at heavyweight came over the Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury after beating the likes of Murat Gassiev and Mairis Briedis at 200 pounds.
Usyk is now on the hunt to make more history by becoming a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion in the four belt era. So good is the southpaw that many are now debating how he would do against the top men from generations gone by.
Speaking to Boxing Social, Holyfield was asked how he would have fared against Usyk and admitted “it would be difficult.”
“It probably would have been difficult for me. Guys I was real good with is guys that were bullies, a guy that was aggressive.
“I handled very aggressive fighters real well, but its boxers [I struggled with], I was a boxer. Aggressive guys I was able to beat them because they fought my game plan. The difference is that when you’re smaller, people who aren’t aggressive, it’s difficult.”
Though Usyk had plans to become twice undisputed in the division by facing fellow champ Daniel Dubois, the WBO has now ordered him to face mandatory challenger Joseph Parker.
