Oleksandr Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in nearly 25 years when he beat Tyson Fury earlier this month – and another former foe, Tony Bellew, believes there is only one man who can beat him.
Usyk collected all the titles at cruiserweight before moving up to heavyweight in 2019. Just five years later, the skilled Ukrainian is now the sole ruler in boxing’s blue ribbon division – defeating Anthony Joshua [twice] and Fury along the way to cement his legacy in the sport.
His final fight at 200lbs was against another Brit, Tony Bellew. After a fast start from ‘The Bomber’, Usyk started to assert his dominance and knocked his man out in the eighth round.
Reacting to Usyk capturing all the belts at two divisions, Bellew was full of praise for his former opponent.
“He’s the best heavyweight in the world and has completed the game.”
With a contractual rematch clause in place, ‘The Gypsy King’ has the chance to avenge his only career defeat and has made it clear via his promoter, Frank Warren, that he intends to do so.
“The rematch is on, Tyson confirmed that, he wants it and he wants it badly and that’s where we are.”
Bellew believes that unless father time catches up to the two-weight world champion, the only person that can beat him is Usyk himself.
“Who beats Oleksandr Usyk? I’ve said this before, the only person who beats him is him.”
He would rather see the 37-year-old retire having nothing left to achieve in the sport.
“I hope Usyk retires. He’s financially secure, we dealt with his team, he’s never been in it for the money and he could never spend what he’s made even if he wanted to.”
Usyk however has made it clear he intends to honour his rematch duties and is set to run it back against Fury in Saudi Arabia before the end of the year.
