Oleksandr Usyk has very little left to prove in the sport of boxing.
After obliterating the cruiserweight division, he made the step-up to heavyweight in October 2019, where he has continued to reign supreme despite constantly fighting opponents with considerable height and weight advantage.
The Ukrainian would get his chance to fight Anthony Joshua for the heavyweight belts in 2021, where the challenger fought in the champion’s homeland, teaching the Briton a boxing lesson for the 12 rounds and becoming the unified heavyweight champion in the process.
The rematch produced the same result as Usyk, in just his fourth bout in the division, was victorious again via a split decision from the judges. He’d then go on to defeat Tyson Fury twice by way of decision to become the undisputed champion, but would have to vacate the IBF title before the rematch with The Gypsy King as the rules stated he had to face mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois next if he was to keep the belt.
Usyk had already beaten Dubois by way of knockout before his first meeting with Fury. The champion would give the Brit his wish at trying to beat Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight crown for a second time after Dubois himself had beaten Anthony Joshua via knockout. Usyk beat DDD emphatically, however, sending the Brit to the canvas in the fifth round to reclaim his undisputed status.
Oleksandr Usyk’s Next Fight & Future in Boxing
Recently, the 38-year-old told Ukrainian source, UNN, “I will box until I am 41.” It left fans shocked after rumours circulated that he could be retiring.
Following Fabio Wardley’s knockout win over Joesph Parker at the weekend, in a bout that would determine the mandatory challenger for the WBO heavyweight title, attention has turned to a match-up between both Wardley and Usyk next.
The 30-year-old has knocked out 19 fighters of the 20 he has faced in his professional career. While Usyk is no ordinary fighter, the undisputed heavyweight champion isn’t getting any younger and being in the ring with a knockout artist is dangerous for any fighter.
His former promoter and advisor, Alexsander Krassyuk, has expressed his thoughts on the potential fight. Speaking to Boxing King Media, Krassyuk said: “I am public in my [opinion], I want (Oleksandr) Usyk to retire as fast as possible.
“I was even against his fight with (Daniel) Dubois, but okay, that made some sense to become three-time undisputed. Give me one – not two, not three – but one reason to fight (Fabio) Wardley. With all respect to this guy, with all the credit to him, but I am thinking from Usyk’s perspective.”
Despite the promoter’s concerns about his former fighter, the champion will not be intimidated by any boxer, like we have seen in the past. The Ukrainian must first recover from a back injury he sustained in training which has kept him out of the ring for longer than anticipated, with his expected return to action next year.
