Oleksandr Usyk, the undefeated Ukrainian boxing star, has named Mike Tyson as the one heavyweight who could beat him in a hypothetical matchup. The 38-year-old shared this surprising opinion during a recent interview with Mail Sport Boxing.
Usyk's professional record stands at an impressive 23-0. He's achieved undisputed champion status in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. His notable wins include two points victories over Anthony Joshua and a hard-fought decision against Tyson Fury.
In August 2023, Usyk faced Daniel Dubois in Poland. The fight stirred up controversy when Usyk hit the canvas after a heavy body shot, which the referee ruled as a low blow. Given time to recover, Usyk went on to stop Dubois in the ninth round.
During the interview, Usyk played a round of "winner stays on." When asked to pick a winner between himself and Mike Tyson, Usyk didn't hesitate to name the boxing legend.
"Mike Tyson," Usyk stated firmly.
Tyson's reputation in the ring is legendary. He knocked out his first 19 opponents, with 12 of those wins coming in the first round. He became the youngest ever world heavyweight champion and reigned as the undisputed champion from 1987 to 1990. His career record stands at 50 wins in 58 fights.
However, Tyson's recent return to the ring in November 2023 didn't go as planned. He lost a wide points decision to Jake Paul, an opponent less than half his age.
Usyk's next fight is set for July 19, 2024, at Wembley Stadium in London. He'll face Daniel Dubois in a rematch for the undisputed heavyweight championship. The bout follows their controversial first encounter and promises to be a highly-anticipated event.
As for Usyk's choice of Tyson as the one heavyweight who could beat him, it's a testament to Iron Mike's enduring legacy in the sport. Despite the passage of time, Tyson's name still carries weight in boxing circles, even among today's champions.
