Oleksandr Usyk Didn’t Hesitate When Asked To Name His Top 3 Opponents: “Easy”

Oleksandr Usyk Didn’t Hesitate When Asked To Name His Top 3 Opponents: “Easy”
Image credit: Matchroom
Seconds Out

Oleksandr Usyk is right at the top of many fans’ pound-for-pound list.

The Ukrainian has accomplished all his goals in boxing and will go down in the history books as one of the best to ever do it.

As an amateur Usyk won 335 bouts, losing just 15, and won gold at both the 2011 World Championships and the London Olympics in 2012.

He made his professional debut in 2013 when his cruiserweight journey began. In just his tenth fight he won his first world title, capturing the WBO belt against Krzysztof Głowacki via a unanimous decision. Within two years he would be undisputed at 200lbs, defeating the likes of Michael Hunter, Mairis Briedis and Murat Gassiev along the way.

The 37-year-old would have one last defence of his cruiserweight titles against popular British fighter and former WBC champion, Tony Bellew. He stopped Bellew in the eighth round and immediately moved up to heavyweight.

After warm up fights against Chazz Witherspoon and Derek Chisora, he caused an upset at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in England by out-pointing Anthony Joshua to become unified heavyweight champion. He would retain the belts eleven months later in the rematch in Saudi Arabia.

After a successful defence against Daniel Dubois he would challenge the then undefeated WBC champion Tyson Fury in the first undisputed heavyweight fight for nearly 25 years.

He handed ‘The Gypsy King’ his first career defeat via a close split decision and walked out the ring as the first ever four belt champion in boxing’s blue ribbon division.

When asked by journalist Brin-Jonathan Butler for his top three opponents, Usyk said the choice was ‘easy’ and named himself three times.

“The top three opponents I have faced in 372 fights as a professional and as an amateur? Easy: Usyk, Usyk, and Usyk. Always myself.”

Even though he’s approaching the latter stages of his career, Usyk has hinted at staying in the sport for many more years and next up is a rematch against Fury on December 21.

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