On July 19 at Wembley Stadium, Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) once again showed he’s the number one heavyweight, defeating Daniel Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs) by fifth-round KO. It was a dominant showing from the mercurial Ukrainian, proving that in his case, age is nothing but a number. Reflecting on Usyk’s great nights throughout his career, his one-time opponent Tony Bellew spoke to Esports Insider, naming what he believes was the Ukrainian’s greatest.
Usyk dominated on July 19 against Dubois, before knocking out the Brit in impressive style. The Ukrainian has enjoyed many great fights throughout his career at cruiserweight and heavyweight. Despite some memorable victories since he moved up to heavyweight, including two wins over Dubois, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Bellew believes Usyk’s greatest night came at cruiserweight.
Looking back to July 21, 2018, Bellew said: “I don’t think you’ll ever see a better pure out and out boxing display than the one Usyk put in against Murat Gassiev in Russia. That was the pure art of boxing, hit and do not get hit. I had to study that fight before I faced him and you could not find any flaws in that performance! He’s a freak. A unicorn. This was against Murat Gassiev who was probably the most destructive cruiserweight in the world at the time. He was the most dangerous cruiserweight in the world and he just took him apart.”
Many will ask the question: What is left for Oleksandr Usyk to achieve? The Ukrainian could feasibly ride off into the sunset, and no one would begrudge him that.
If the desire remains for him to have one more fight, it should be against Joseph Parker (36-3, 24 KOs), the WBO interim heavyweight champion, who has won six straight, including victories over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole. The only other fighter who could argue he deserves an opportunity is the undefeated German, Agit Kabayel (26-0, 18 KOs).
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