Oleksandr Usyk has beaten five Brits in the last six years, the most notable being Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
After knocking out Tony Bellew in his last cruiserweight fight, the Ukrainian moved up to heavyweight in the hope of becoming undisputed in a second division.
He beat Derek Chisora before taking the unified titles from Joshua via unanimous decision and keeping hold of them in the rematch with a split decision.
A stoppage of Daniel Dubois served as his second defence before he scored another split decision win against Fury in their long-awaited undisputed clash.
Speaking at a press conference in his home country following the Joshua bout, Usyk said that one of Joshua’s punches ‘sent him to Elon Musk’ for a while before his fighting focus was re-established.
“There were quite tangible blows. You can see it on my face too. There was a cut when we hit our heads. Then a light blow from his jab broke an eyebrow, which was flooding my right eye with blood.
“I will not hide that there were very sensitive blows to the chin, to the stomach, which sent me to Elon Musk for a while, but I quickly returned. In battle, adrenaline and emotions are so overwhelming that you feel it after the battle – pain, dizziness and everything else. In the ring, you are very focused on your actions.”
Joshua would typically be recognised as the bigger puncher when discussed with Fury, but speaking to the 3 Knockdown Rule podcast Usyk held ‘The Gypsy King’s power in high regard, too – particularly one uppercut.
” I got uppercut you know, it’s like very pain. Hard pain. I feel maybe 10 seconds I say ‘hey, God, thank you, help me.’ I say to myself ‘hey Alex, move, move. If you stop, he’ll kill you.’”
His manager Egis Klimas then added what Usyk said to him about the uppercut after the fight.
“It was such a big pain I can explain only one thing, it felt like my tooth came out.”
What the Ukrainian felt was an old dental implant being impacted rather than the broken jaw Fury had claimed to have inflicted. After taking the best shots from Joshua, Dubois and Fury, Usyk still maintains that it was Chisora who hit him hardest.
In recent years, Oleksandr Usyk has established himself as one of the most formidable boxers in the world. The Ukrainian powerhouse has made a habit of defeating some of the best British fighters, with his most notable victories coming against Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. His journey from cruiserweight champion to heavyweight kingpin is nothing short of remarkable, marked by a series of high-stakes bouts that have solidified his legacy.
Usyk’s dominance began in the cruiserweight division, where he unified the titles and established himself as the undisputed champion. His final fight at cruiserweight was a memorable one, as he knocked out Tony Bellew in spectacular fashion. This victory marked the end of an era for Usyk, but it also signaled the beginning of a new chapter in his career. With nothing left to prove at cruiserweight, Usyk set his sights on the heavyweight division, aiming to replicate his success and become undisputed in a second weight class.
Usyk’s first major test at heavyweight came against the rugged and experienced Derek Chisora. Despite being outweighed and facing a tough, pressure fighter, Usyk demonstrated his superior skill set. He outboxed Chisora over twelve rounds, securing a unanimous decision victory. This win was a statement that Usyk could hang with the big boys in the heavyweight division.
The stakes rose dramatically when Usyk faced Anthony Joshua, the reigning unified heavyweight champion. Joshua, known for his powerful punches and imposing physique, was considered a significant challenge. However, Usyk’s movement, footwork, and boxing IQ proved too much for Joshua. In their first encounter, Usyk outclassed Joshua, winning a unanimous decision and capturing the WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight titles.
The rematch was even more intense, with Joshua adjusting his strategy to be more aggressive. Despite this, Usyk managed to retain his titles, winning a close split decision. The victory further cemented Usyk’s status as one of the top heavyweights in the world.
Following the second fight, Usyk revealed the physical toll Joshua’s punches had taken on him. At a press conference in Ukraine, Usyk admitted that one of Joshua’s punches had momentarily disoriented him, describing the sensation as being “sent to Elon Musk.” He detailed the damage Joshua had inflicted, including a cut from a headbutt and a jab that broke his eyebrow, causing blood to impair his vision. Usyk’s resilience and ability to regain focus under such circumstances only added to his legend.
Usyk’s second title defense came against the young and powerful Daniel Dubois. Dubois, known for his knockout power, was seen as a dangerous challenger. However, Usyk once again proved his mettle, stopping Dubois in a decisive fashion. The victory was a clear indication that Usyk was not just a champion, but a dominant force in the heavyweight division.
The long-awaited clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury was one of the most anticipated fights in recent boxing history. Fury, known as “The Gypsy King,” was the WBC heavyweight champion and widely regarded as one of the best heavyweights of his generation. The fight was billed as a battle for the undisputed heavyweight crown, with both fighters putting everything on the line.
The fight lived up to its hype, with both Usyk and Fury showing their incredible skills and heart. In the end, Usyk emerged victorious, winning a split decision and adding Fury’s WBC title to his collection. Despite the victory, Usyk acknowledged the power of Fury’s punches, particularly a devastating uppercut that nearly brought him to his knees. Speaking on the 3 Knockdown Rule podcast, Usyk recalled the moment with vivid detail, describing the pain and his internal dialogue as he fought to stay on his feet.
“It was such a big pain I can explain only one thing, it felt like my tooth came out,” Usyk’s manager, Egis Klimas, later revealed. In reality, it was an old dental implant that had been impacted, not a broken jaw as Fury had claimed.
Despite taking the best shots from heavy hitters like Joshua, Dubois, and Fury, Usyk maintains that it was Derek Chisora who hit him the hardest. Chisora’s relentless style and power left a lasting impression on Usyk, even as he went on to defeat some of the biggest names in the sport.
Oleksandr Usyk’s journey through the heavyweight division has been nothing short of extraordinary. By defeating five of Britain’s top fighters in the last six years, Usyk has not only claimed titles but also the respect of the boxing world. His victories over Joshua, Dubois, and Fury have solidified his status as one of the greatest boxers of his era. As he continues to chase greatness, the world will be watching to see who can finally stop the Ukrainian juggernaut.