Oleksandr Usyk is one of the best boxers in the game right now. Ever since he won the WBO cruiserweight title back in 2016 – defeating Glowacki via unanimous decision – he has been a household name, with further wins against Mairis Briedis, Murat Gassiev, and Antony Joshua only serving to boost his credibility in the ring. It’s clear from interviews with Usyk, however, that being a household name is not where his dreams end. He wants to be one of the greats of boxing, with a boxing legacy that lasts for decades.
Names and Legacies
There is a difference, of course, between being a ‘modern great’ and an ‘all-time great’. The betting odds might be ever in Usyk’s favour, and that’s an achievement in itself, but when he retires in however many years, how many people will remember that kind of achievement? Usyk’s ultimate goal is to be mentioned alongside legends like Muhammed Ali, Joe Louis, and Evander Holyfield. And to achieve that, he needs a fight that will cement his boxing legacy and make him undeniable in the eyes of history.
The Road to Immortality
So what kind of fight are we talking about here? Since his win against Tyson Fury last year, it seems clear that Usyk’s next fight should go a little further, solidifying his skills, versatility, and ability to dominate against different styles of heavyweights. Yes, his victory over Fury proved he could outbox and outthink the best, but the greatest boxers have always done something more, showcasing their power and endurance against contenders they should have no chance against.
For Muhammed Ali, that fight was against George Foreman in the legendary ‘Rumble in the Jungle’. Foreman was a younger, stronger, and seemingly unstoppable force, but Ali used his intelligence and unshakable will to achieve an iconic victory, and that’s exactly what Usyk needs to do. He needs to be put up against someone no one will expect, testing him in a way that he hasn’t yet faced.
The Next Fight
In our opinion, a number of fighters could fill that role. For starters, there’s Deontay Wilder, who might be past his peak, but remains one of the hardest hitters in boxing history. If Usyk can take Wilder’s best shots and still dominate, it would be a legendary statement that will prove just how good of a boxer he really is. If not Wilder, you could also have Filip Hrgovic, the undefeated Croatian who has spent the last few years making a name for himself as one of the most dangerous and relentless heavyweights in the division.
Although we mentioned Usyk needs someone different who will test him in new ways, you could also have a rematch against Daniel Dubois, Antony Joshua or Tyson Fury. Yes, he’s proved his dominance out of these three fighters before, but a final showdown could be the key to proving his place as an immortal, unbeatable champion of his era. A new fight, of course, always provides a fresh narrative, and it’s hard to believe that Dubois, Joshua, or Fury won’t bring something new to the table in an effort to outbox Usyk and cement their own legacy in the process.
Conclusion
It’s hard to say exactly what fight is going to cement Usyk’s legacy, but there are plenty of options in the ring. Whether it’s Wilder’s raw power, Hrgovic’s relentless pressure, or an incentivised Joshua or Fury, Usyk’s next fight needs to be big, bold, and it needs to capture the audience’s imagination. In other words, when the final punch lands, the sound needs to be heard by everyone, echoing around the world and through time, to the point where it’s still being heard decades from now.
