Amateur world champion, 2012 Olympic champion, undisputed cruiserweight world champion, undisputed heavyweight world champion – Oleksandr Usyk has won everything there is to win in boxing and has already secured his place in the pantheon of boxing icons. Now the 37-year-old is hinting at the end of his unique career. Two opponents still tempt him.
On December 21, Usyk will face Tyson Fury in Riyadh for revenge. The Ukrainian had the 2.06 meter giant on the verge of being knocked out in a spectacular fight in May, winning after twelve rounds by a narrow 2:1 decision. Usyk is the first heavyweight since Lennox Lewis in 1999 to be crowned the undisputed champion of all classes, the Undisputed Champion.
In addition to the capital letter titles of the world associations WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO, the exceptional talent also won the prestigious belt of the boxing bible “The Ring”. In addition, Usyk dethroned his rival Fury as “lineal world champion” (the line of succession of legitimate, association-independent champions goes back to 1885).
Fury is not the only top-class fighter in Usyk’s fight record. The southpaw has already defeated Anthony Joshua twice (2021, 2022), and last year he knocked out Daniel Dubois, who will fight “AJ” for the IBF crown in Wembley in September.
Boxing: Usyk only wants to fight against Fury and Joshua
With all the belts in the trophy cabinet, Usyk has earned enough to retire from boxing without worry. He is likely to have earned around $150 million from the blockbusters against Fury and Joshua alone. So why continue boxing?
“So, there’s the rematch with Fury and maybe a third duel with Joshua. It’s only interesting with these two,” said the 37-year-old in an interview with “Seconds Out,” hinting at the final bell of his career. “From now on, the youngsters should get fit and work. The logical consequence is that – apart from Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua – I have no desire to box against anyone.”
Legendary Marciano record beckons
If Joshua wins against Dubois in September and Usyk beats Fury again at the end of the year, the world champion would only have a farewell fight against Joshua left on his list.
However, the Saudi boxing mastermind Turki Al-Sheikh has already made it clear that he is determined to force the long-awaited British clash between Fury and Joshua. Usyk would then have to wait and could hang up his boxing gloves immediately. After all, he would then have defeated both Brits twice each.
If Usyk (fight record 22-0-0, 14 KO) retires undefeated, he would make boxing history: He would be the first heavyweight since the legendary Rocky Marciano in 1956 to leave his job as a prizefighter undefeated.
Source: www.sport.de
