Having ‘cleaned up the modern era’, Oleksandr Usyk has cemented himself in the ‘top five of the greatest heavyweights’.
That is the verdict of talkSPORT pundit Spencer Oliver, as the boxing world continues to run out of superlatives to describe the Ukrainian.
Usyk retained his status as the top dog of the heavyweights after he beat Tyson Fury for a second time in Saudi Arabia.
All three judges scored the contest 116-112 in favour of Usyk, a verdict Fury and his promoter Frank Warren strongly disagreed with.
The win also preserved Usyk’s unbeaten professional record, which stands at 23 wins and zero defeats.
Unfortunately for Usyk he was unable to retain the title of undisputed heavyweight champion after he vacated his IBF title in the wake of his first win over Fury, as British star Daniel Dubois now holds the belt.
However, Usyk’s latest triumph has only solidified his case as to why he belongs in the same breath of pound-for-pound boxing legends.
Over the course of his glittering career, Usyk has just about done it all in both the professional and amateur game.
As a professional, Usyk has claimed the undisputed crown in two weight divisions – cruiserweight and heavyweight – making him the fourth to accomplish the feat alongside Evander Holyfield, Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue.
Prior to turning professional in 2013, Usyk amassed an absurd amateur record of 335-15, with his most notable triumph being an Olympic gold medal in the heavyweight division at the 2012 Games in London.
With so much achieved already in his career and with potentially more accolades down the track, Oliver had no hesitation in anointing Usyk as one of the all-time greats.
“Without a doubt, Usyk’s in the top five of the greatest heavyweights for what he’s achieved,” Oliver said.
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“He’s cleaned up the modern era. He’s beat Daniel Dubois, he’s beat Fury twice, beat Anthony Joshua twice.
“Undisputed cruiserweight, undisputed heavyweight, not forgetting the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight titles as well.
“The guy has done everything. You’ve got to let him have his moment.”
Fellow talkSPORT pundit Gareth A Davies was in agreement and even made a bold comparison that underlines Usyk’s greatness.
“For me, having done what he did at cruiserweight, winning the world title at amateur, winning the Olympics in London, winning the undisputed cruiserweight title,” Davies said.
“Coming up and completing double victories over Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, winning against Daniel Dubois, we know how dangerous he is now.
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“For me, he belongs alongside the likes of Evander Holyfield. It’s a really good comparison.”
John Rawling agreed, stating: “In our time, Holyfield is the only guy for me, who stands comparison. Holyfield didn’t beat giants like he has. He didn’t beat (Lennox) Lewis.”
Rawling was also complimentary of the fact Usyk does not feel the need to partake in the flashier and at times ugly side of the sport, especially the trash-talking aspect.
“He’s such a class act as a champion,” Rawling said.
“He doesn’t provide interviews which make you cringe. He doesn’t misbehave at weigh-ins.
“He gives, for what many people would say, is absolutely the right image that boxing should be projecting.”
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Having conquered Fury twice, Usyk now awaits his next challenge.
A rematch against Dubois appears the likeliest outcome, especially since the Brit holds the IBF heavyweight crown and confronted Usyk in the ring after his win on Saturday.
However, Dubois must first defend his title against Joseph Parker in February.
Should Dubois win that, a fight against Usyk is in the offing.
Given both Usyk and Dubois combined hold all the heavyweight belts, it would give the Ukrainian a chance to become the undisputed heavyweight king for a second time.
If that comes to fruition, Usyk will have an even stronger argument as to why he is one of, if not the greatest heavyweight of all time.