Oleksandr Usyk is now the pound-for-pound number one in many people’s eyes.
The Ukrainian is a former undisputed champion at both cruiserweight and heavyweight and still controls three of the four major belts in boxing’s blue ribbon division. Having beaten the very best in Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, Usyk has stated his desire to move back down to 200lbs at some point to try and regain his belts.
“I try cruiserweight again. I try [to be undisputed cruiserweight again].”
One man who was keen on facing the 38 year old if he did move down a division was current light-heavyweight undisputed champion Artur Beterbiev. The two had met during the amateurs and the Russian-Canadian was keen for a rematch in the pro ranks.
“I repeat, from a pure sporting perspective I would be interested in this fight, of course, because we boxed in the Olympics and the World Championships as amateurs.
It would be interesting to try as professionals, not for money, although money would be nice, but my interest in this fight would be purely sporting, much more than monetary. Much more.”
However it looks like the 175lb ruler has now had a change of heart. In an interview with FightHub TV, Beterbiev admitted that Usyk would be ‘too good’ and ‘too strong’ for him even if he did move back down.
“No, he’s too strong for me you know. He’s like heavyweight you know it’s too strong even if he came back down. He’s too strong [even at cruiserweight], too good.”
Usyk is now expected to have at least one more fight at heavyweight, with his next opponent tipped to be the winner of the IBF title fight between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker.
As for Beterbiev, he puts his four light-heavyweight belts on the line later this month in a rematch with Dmitry Bivol.
