Oleksandr Usyk, the Ukrainian boxing sensation, has named himself as his top three opponents. The 37-year-old boxer made this surprising statement in a recent interview, highlighting his self-perception as his greatest challenge.
Usyk's career spans an impressive 372 fights as both an amateur and professional. His amateur record boasts 335 wins and only 15 losses, including gold medals at the 2011 World Championships and the 2012 London Olympics.
The boxer turned pro in 2013 and quickly made waves in the cruiserweight division. He won the WBO belt in just his 10th fight against Krzysztof Głowacki. Within two years, Usyk became the undisputed champion in the division. His final defence at cruiserweight came against Tony Bellew, whom he stopped in the 8th round.
Usyk then set his sights on the heavyweight division. After warm-up fights against Chazz Witherspoon and Derek Chisora, he pulled off a major upset by defeating Anthony Joshua for the unified titles. He followed this with a successful rematch against Joshua in Saudi Arabia and a defence against Daniel Dubois.
The Ukrainian boxer reached the pinnacle of his career when he defeated Tyson Fury for the undisputed heavyweight title. He handed 'The Gypsy King' his first career defeat via a close split decision and walked out the ring as the first ever four belt champion in boxing's blue ribbon division.
In a recent interview with Brin-Jonathan Butler, Usyk was asked about his top three opponents faced in his 372 fights. His response was unexpected and revealing:
"Easy: Usyk, Usyk, and Usyk. Always myself."
This statement, shared by Butler on Twitter on October 19, 2024, gives insight into Usyk's mindset and his approach to boxing.
Despite his numerous achievements, Usyk isn't ready to hang up his gloves just yet. He's hinted at staying in the sport for many more years. His next fight will be a rematch against Tyson Fury on December 21, where he'll defend his undisputed Heavyweight Championship.
Usyk's career, from amateur success to professional dominance across two weight classes, stands as a testament to his skill, dedication, and self-challenge. His unique perspective on his greatest opponents shows that for this champion, the toughest battles are often fought within.
