Oleksandr Usyk is one of the most complete fighters of the modern era.
The Ukrainian is also one of the most accomplished. He has achieved a rare triple threat in the sport – he won an Olympic Gold medal at the London Olympic Games in 2012, then he became the undisputed cruiserweight king in 2018, and in May of this year, he was crowned the undisputed heavyweight champion by beating Tyson Fury on points after a close 12-round battle in Saudi Arabia.
Usyk’s footwork, ring IQ, athleticism and, arguably most important, of all his strong mental game have seen him rise to the very top of the pound-for-pound list in many eyes.
He has some famously unique training routines that involve juggling in the ring, balance and catching coins, playing chess and many other things that keep his mind as sharp as his body.
Despite this considerable skills and all that experience, Usyk revealed to Mail Sport Boxing that there was one more thing he worked on for the best part of a year leading up to the fight with Fury – a powerful left hand that he landed early on in the fight.
“It was a planned action that I worked on for nine months. It was necessary to immediately show who the boss is in the ring.”
That left hand was very much the difference in the fight, not least in round nine when Usyk landed one that led to Fury getting a 10 count.
Usyk has said the fight will not be easier despite his initial win.
“I think it will be even more difficult. Look, I always set myself up for a hard night, never an easy one. I’m expecting the cosmos that will crush me so only my eyes will see what happening. I get pumped for such things. I don’t think that it will be easier for me, but I don’t need it to be easier.”
This time around, the fight is only for three of four major belts after the Ukrainian vacated the IBF belt.
