Oleksandr Usyk might be nearing the end of his career, but he is still a big target for plenty of boxers in the higher divisions.
Usyk is up there with some of the best heavyweights to ever do it. He is a two-time undisputed champion, having twice beaten Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, and having also been the undisputed cruiserweight champion.
Next time out he will face kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in defence of his WBC title in May in Giza, Egypt. Verhoeven is widely regarded as the best heavyweight kickboxer in the world but a current cruiserweight champion has now said he would be keen on his own shot at the Ukrainian.
Speaking to Ring Magazine, Jai Opetaia had plenty of praise for Usyk while admitting he would love his shot at the belts.
“I think Usyk is one of if not the best, heavyweight of his generation. He’s a great fighter. But man, that’s a fight I’d take for sure, respectfully, I’d love to be in the ring against someone like him.
“And also the way he fights. The science of the sport, the way he beats big guys, the way he was a great cruiserweight. I’ve always been just below but close, a couple of years behind, but I’m here now, and if that fight did come…”
Right now, the Australian is targeting the undisputed championship in his own division. He currently holds the IBF cruiserweight title and has since he won both in 2022 when he beat Mairis Briedis.
Since then, he has knocked out Jordan Thompson, Jack Massey, Ellis Zorro, David Nyika, Claudio Squeo and Huseyin Cinkara, and next up, he takes on Brandon Glanton this Sunday, though could be in danger of losing his IBF belt if he chooses to fight for the Zuffa title.
