The Ukrainian has fought the best of the best during his glittering career so far, but has recently revealed the best opponent he’s fought inside the ring
Oleksandr Usyk has hailed Tyson Fury as the best boxer he has faced ahead of their rematch.
The two giants will renew their rivalry once again on Saturday night in Riyadh. Both Usyk and Fury went toe-to-toe back in May – with the Ukrainian going on to hand ‘The Gypsy King’ the first defeat of his professional career, winning via a razor-thin split decision. Following the win in the Middle East, Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
Usyk is widely-regarded as the pound-for-pound king of the sport right now and is arguably one of the best fighters of this generation. Having been involved in many high-profile bouts, the 37-year-old was recently quizzed on who his toughest opponent has been so far.
In an interview with DAZN, Usyk revealed that his upcoming opponent, Fury, was the toughest fighter he has ever faced inside the squared-circle. “I think so, yes,” he said. “He’s big, got good skills, his mind, he’s like a snake.”
The Ukrainian is no stranger when it comes to fighting the biggest names in boxing. At cruiserweight, he defeated the likes of Mairis Briedis and Murat Gassiev and Tony Bellew. After moving up to heavyweight in 2019, he has since added the likes of Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois CV as well as Fury, cementing his place as one of the best stars the division has witnessed this century.
Learn more
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are set to lock horns again on December 21 with the Brit attempting to avenge his defeat by the Ukrainian in May. Victory for Fury could also set up a huge domestic showdown with bitter rival Anthony Joshua next year
Amid talks of a potential trilogy, it seems as if the Ukrainian is planning an audacious return to the 14st 4lb division should he beat Fury again this weekend. “I win again a second fight, I’ll try cruiserweight again,” he told Sky Sports. “I’ll try.” Speaking about the upcoming heavyweight dust-up, the Ukrainian said: “I feel good. It continues, the 13th round because I feel like this. Tyson Fury too had a chance in the sixth round, maybe the seventh round, maybe 12th, 11th, first, second. But Tyson did not do it. It’s just talk. Tyson said I had the chance. Yeah, no problem. We have a second fight, I’ll try.”
With Usyk potentially planning on a move back down to cruiserweight, defeat on Saturday night would mean the Ukrainian will have to stick around at heavyweight a little longer. Fury’s promoter Frank Warren has recently revealed a third fight between the two giants is ‘contracted.’ When asked whether a trilogy bout between Fury and Usyk ‘trumps’ potential fights with Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, Warren told Boxing News: “Oh it does because it’s contracted. And whatever happens, that would be the case if Tyson wins… providing nobody retires.”
