Oleksandr Usyk turned the primary ever four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion final month, however there have been suspicions that this title wouldn’t final lengthy, because the IBF had been anticipated to strip him of their world title. For now the Ukrainian nonetheless holds all 4 belts, however Usyk could also be set to place an finish to his reign himself, even when he beats Tyson Fury of their rematch.
Usyk conquered the cruiserweight division in model, successful every world title problem on away soil to choose up the undisputed crown earlier than shifting as much as the heavyweight division in 2019.
Within the years that adopted, Usyk’s legacy amongst boxing’s elite was cemented, twice defeating Anthony Joshua to change into the unified title-holder earlier than final month’s phenomenal victory over ‘The Gypsy King’ – the place he dropped and virtually stopped the WBC champion regardless of a close to 40lb weight differential.
Within the aftermath of the legendary battle, Usyk has rightfully obtained plaudits, with a normal consensus that he is without doubt one of the best fighters to lace up the gloves because the flip of the millennium and likewise the present pound-for-pound primary, leapfrogging each Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue within the subjective rankings of many followers.
His level confirmed and his identify ceaselessly etched into each the historical past and report books, a 37-year-old Oleksandr Usyk might stroll away from the game both now or after the Fury rematch along with his head held excessive, realizing he has achieved all that he might ever have dreamt of.
Nonetheless, in an interview with The three Knockdown Rule, Usyk outlined his intentions of vacating his heavyweight titles after the Fury rematch and dropping again right down to the cruiserweight division, after difficulties including on further weight.
“After the rematch, I need to go down in my weight [and fight at] cruiserweight.
“It’s my plan as a result of once I begin my preparation and my coaching camp, pay attention I’ll store and say ‘yeah!’ as a result of I’m consuming all the pieces. For me it’s arduous, I don’t like thrice [a day, having to have a] cocktail [of] water, protein, banana – banana is sweet, I like [them].”
Alternatively, Usyk might go for a transfer to bridgerweight, the place newly-crowned champion Lawrence Okolie has been calling him out.
Victory over ‘The Sauce’ would see the slick southpaw change into a three-division world champion and the primary fighter to carry belts at every of cruiserweight, bridgerweight and heavyweight. Though, the division just isn’t thought of to be a majorly respected one at this time limit.
At cruiserweight, Usyk might proceed his development of defeating Briton’s, with both Chris Billam-Smith or Richard Riakporhe more likely to maintain the WBO strap by the point he strikes down. In the meantime, IBF champion Jai Opetaia is extensively recognised as the highest canine at 200lbs and the undefeated Aussie would signify essentially the most arduous check on the weight.
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