Oleksandr Usyk's boxing career is nearing its end, and the debate about his place in boxing history is heating up. The Olympic Gold Medalist and two-weight undisputed champion has got the boxing world talking.
Usyk's achievements are impressive. He's collected all the belts at cruiserweight and heavyweight. He's beaten top fighters like Derek Chisora, Daniel Dubois, and Anthony Joshua twice. He's even managed to defeat Tyson Fury twice.
At 38, Usyk isn't done yet. He's got a rematch with Daniel Dubois coming up in July for the IBF belt. After that, he wants to become undisputed champion again, have one more fight, and then hang up his gloves.
But where does Usyk rank among the all-time greats? That's where opinions differ. Former heavyweight champion Frank Bruno doesn't think Usyk would have done as well in his era. In an interview, Bruno said:
"I don't think in my era he would have got that far but in his era he's done very well. I'm not being b**chy when I say that but I'm talking from the heart about how it goes. There was too many heavyweights for him, naturally big guys, you know."
On the other hand, Lennox Lewis, who many consider the best heavyweight of the modern era, rates Usyk highly. When asked where Usyk ranks among the best heavyweights in history, Lewis put him right up there with himself.
To be called an all-time great means a fighter could be successful in any era. With Usyk still writing his story, it's up to fans, fighters, and analysts to decide where he stands when all is said and done.
