Oleksandr Usyk is in the boxing history books for all the right reasons.
After becoming undisputed in a tough cruiserweight division, the Ukrainian southpaw moved up to heavyweight and achieved the same status with statement wins over Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
Now just only the second man to become sole champion in both divisions after Evander Holyfield, Usyk will be remembered for many eras to come – but who would he like to face from past generations?
In an interview with Vringe, the 37-year-old record-breaker named Joe Louis and ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson as the two heavyweights he would like to challenge from days gone by.
“The first is Joe Louis. One of the best heavyweight champions in boxing history. For his time, very technical and with a strong impact.
The second is Mike Tyson. Speed, power and unstoppable. It would be interesting to fight with such an opponent.”
Joe Louis was a sporting and cultural icon, the bulk of his campaign taking place in the 1940s with the backdrop of World War II. He made 25 successive defences of his heavyweight world title and racked up 66 wins from 69 bouts.
Tyson hung up the gloves seven years before Usyk would win Gold at the 2012 London Olympics. Ferocious, explosive and intimidating, there hasn’t been a heavyweight like him. If Usyk could meet either in the ring, it would present rare occasions at heavyweight that he would be the taller man.
Tyson returns to the ring controversially this year to face Jake Paul. Usyk will rematch Fury one month later.
